May 2025
Citrus SA Feedback to Hort Innovation’s SHIFt Process and Citrus SIP
Citrus SA recently provided detailed feedback on Hort Innovation’s SHIFt process and the Citrus Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). Their core message? Make it simpler, clearer, and more grower-focused.
Growers feel the current SIP is overly complex, with bureaucratic language that’s hard to follow. The document lacks clear connections between strategies, outcomes, and the tangible benefits for levy payers. CSA is calling for plain-English summaries, straightforward KPIs, and transparent reporting on how and where funds are spent.
CSA also recommends reducing the SIP’s planning horizon from five years to three. This reflects the need for more agile responses to global economic shifts and biosecurity threats. Longer-term projects should be milestone-driven, with robust grower oversight and regular reviews to justify continued investment.
CSA is advocating for stronger grower involvement in shaping strategic priorities, ensuring projects genuinely reflect on-the-ground needs. They want clear investment reports that include forecast vs actual spend, return on investment, and benefits realisation — all in formats growers can understand. Importantly, they say delivery partners should be rewarded for outcomes, not just for spending to budget.
They’re also pushing for a more representative and regionally elected Citrus SIAP (Strategic Investment Advisory Panel), not one dominated by national bodies. This includes reviving a model of regional grower group representation and bringing in observers to boost knowledge diversity.
CSA’s message is clear: levy payers must be at the centre of all decisions. Transparency, accountability, and timely communication are vital. Growers want their voices heard — not only through consultation but through structured, inclusive governance that values their knowledge and investment.
For more details on SHIFt, visit: horticulture.com.au/hort-innovation/funding-consultation-and-investing/shift
Upcoming season launch
The 2025 citrus growing season will be officially launched at the Adelaide Central Markets on May 30. Orchestrated by Penny Reidy and her team at the South Australian Produce Market, the event will include some local South Australian personalities. More coverage of the event will be included in the June Citrus SA newsletter.
Useful harvest resources
As the 2025 citrus harvest starts to kick into gear, there are several resources on Citrus SA’s website which may be useful to growers. These include a labour hire template, the Australian Citrus Harvesting Handbook in both English and Punjabi, information of the movement of fruit bins as well as PIRSA’s requirements for the movement of fruit between outbreak and suspension areas.
NSW DPI pest fact sheets
Did you know the Integrated Pest Management (IPDM) extension program for the Citrus Industry has a range of fact sheets of interest to growers. In future newsletters we will shine a spotlight on some of these pests and the information available. This month we’ll look at Huanglongbing.
Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most devastating citrus disease in the world. More than one Liberibacter species has been reported to cause HLB, but in Asia, North and South America and Oceania, the main responsible pathogen-vector relationship is ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and the Asian citrus psyllid,which is currently exotic to Australia*.
May production notes
· Pruning and Hedging:
De-suckering of regrowth. Maintain skirts if registered for KCT.
· Foliar Spray:
Copper spray application if not already completed. Stop Drop spray on required varieties two weeks after copper application. Apply GA spray at colour break for delaying harvest and extended shelf life.
· Snail Baiting:
Ensure orchards have snail control measures in place. Check loading areas and bait also.
· Irrigation:
Continue monitoring soil moisture probes. Regular flushing required—consider a chlorination flush.
· Weed Control:
Knockdown herbicides or residual herbicides as required.
Frost
Check logs for frost monitoring – (damage occurs at four hours at -2 or two hours at -4)
*All advice is general in nature and growers should always consult their agronomist or packing shed for individual recommendations.