July 2025
Pause on Produce Sticker Ban
The South Australian Government has paused the upcoming ban on non-compostable plastic produce stickers, which was set to begin on 1 September 2025.
This decision follows strong feedback from growers and industry bodies, including discussions at a recent roundtable co-hosted by Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment Susan Close. Citrus SA, Citrus Australia, Bache Brothers and Venus Fruits were among the stakeholders involved.
Growers raised valid concerns around the need for consistent labelling rules, the time required to source compostable alternatives, and the increased costs currently associated with them—especially with SA being the first state to implement such a ban.
Fruit bin protocol
Citrus SA in conjunction with PIRSA have developed a protocol for the movement of fruit bins. One of the biggest risks of fruit fly incursion is through trucks picking up and delivering bins from interstate. This has been evident through several outbreaks over the past five years. You can read and download the protocol here.
Picker vigilance
Growers are also encouraged to check picker movement between blocks by asking where they picked last, where is their next picking job and to remind them not to move fruit between blocks.
South Aussie with Cosi episode – replay on July 27
If you missed the SA citrus industry being featured on South Aussie with Cosi last year, you’re in luck. The segment will be replayed on the program at on July 27 to help promote this season’s fruit. You can tune in to Channel 7 (usually at 5:30pm but check local guides) to catch some of the local citrus identities in the spotlight. If you can’t wait to see Mark, Fabio, Ryan and many others on the screen, you can stream it here in the interim.
Citrus Australia Regional Forum - Riverland
Citrus Australia will host a regional forum at Loxton on Tuesday, July 8 from 9am. To be held at the Loxton Research Centre, presentations will include:
· Citrus Australia updates
· Forecasting market trends for citrus – Wayne Prowse, Fresh Intelligence Consulting
· State of the industry (advocacy) – Nathan Hancock, Citrus Australia
· Information about the incoming sticker regulation – Green Industry South Australia
· Visa programs and pathways relevant to citrus businesses – Department of Home Affairs
· Supporting career pathways into the citrus industry – Chloe Betts, Citrus Australia
· Fruit bin hire – Shaune Amber, Palogix
· Latest varietal trial results – Dave Monks, NSW DPIRD
· WA Murcott and vigorous mandarin variety canopy management – Steve Falivene, NSW DPIRD and Ryan Arnold, Pyap Produce/Citrus Australia
· Herbicide options – Steve Lehmann, Elders
· Vertento insecticide: efficacy and residue field trial results – Dr. Brandy Rawnsley, Syngenta
· Eradication program progress and 25/26 activities – Jason Size, PIRSA
· Biosecurity updates – Jessica Lye, Citrus Australia
· AI based yield forecasting – Benjamin Sharp, Aerobotics
· AI weed selector unit demo – Zane Sheffield, AgTech by Design (in field presentation)
· Lloyd Venus citrus protected citrus set up – Sam Lloyd, Lloyd Citrus (in field presentation)
More details here
July production notes
· Later Winter GA Spray:
The main objective is to regulate flowering.
· Winter Foliar Urea Spray:
Assists in producing healthy bud initiation, especially following a heavy crop set.
· Frost Control Measures:
Identify frost-prone areas and implement measures to prevent, detect, and reduce frost risks (see above).
· Irrigation Maintenance:
Ideal time for irrigation maintenance and flushing irrigation lines.
· Crop Estimates and Size:
Regularly update fruit size and yield estimates and communicate with your packer to assist with marketing strategies, particularly for export markets.
· Pruning of Early Maturing Varieties:
Commence your pruning program once harvest on early maturing varieties is completed.
· Snail Baiting:
Control areas including centre sods/rows, under skirts, headlands, and bin storage areas. Snails are a quarantinable pest for the USA markets.