In Australia, invasive European blackberry consists of a complex of around 18 recognised species and a range of hybrids, which collectively are amalgamated into Rubus fruticosus sp. agg. European blackberry is one of Australia’s worst environmental and agricultural weeds where substantial losses of biodiversity and production occur.
Chilli thrips have quickly jumped onto the radar of many horticulturalists in Western Australia despite having been present in northern Australia for around 20 years. The first complaints from home gardeners in the Perth metro area were received in approximately 2020. This was followed by table grape growers the following year and by berry growers in 2021/22. This highly polyphagous pest, with a wide host range of 225 plant species, is known around the world to be notoriously difficult to manage and can cause significant economic damage to horticulture.
A key focus for Berries Australia’s Early Needs and Recovery project was to increase the triple bottom line by highlighting the risks to business and using purposeful strategies to mitigate these risks. With that in mind, Berries Australia have now delivered rapid assessment energy audits and installed a switchable real-time energy monitoring device for an initial three farms in the Coffs Harbour region.
Most currently used pesticides in agricultural applications contain broad-spectrum chemicals, which are harmful to a wide range of insects. However, the majority of insects are not pests, and with concerns about global insect declines and the impact this will have on ecosystem health, there is a need for more environmentally friendly insecticides that have selective action against major pests while preserving the health of beneficial insects.
Nhiều người trồng trọt gặp khó khăn do sự tích tụ cặn bẩn nâu trong hệ thống tưới do vi khuẩn sắt gây ra. Ben Funnekotter từ The Seedling Factory đã chỉ cho chúng tôi cách anh ấy kiểm soát vi khuẩn sắt trong các giếng khoan bị ô nhiễm trong một chuyến tham quan cơ sở của anh ấy. Hệ thống tự chế của anh ấy cung cấp khả năng xử lý bằng chlorine liên tục cho giếng khoan (giúp tiêu diệt vi khuẩn) bằng cách sử dụng thiết lập Venturi đơn giản bơm nước qua một bình chứa các viên nén chlorine.
A new mobile phone app designed to help growers manage chemical application and facilitate trade has been released by Berries Australia. The Berries Australia MRL App provides information on maximum residue limits (MRLs) and withholding periods (WHPs) for both domestic and export markets. The easy-to-use interface provides users with access to real-time pre- and post-harvest chemical application data based on domestic and export market, target pest or disease and/or active constituents.
In this article we look at the utilisation of a familiar waste product found on all berry farms; third grade fruit and how this is being managed by the largest blueberry producing group; Oz Group Co-op based in Coffs Harbour, NSW.
Research aims to better understand the attributes of nectar from blueberry flowers with a view to increasing the ‘attractiveness’ of this crop by developing new practices to manipulate nectar and ensure pollination success under protective covers including fertigation.
A reminder from Peter McPherson (outgoing Chair of Berries Australia and Chair of the IBO) to Australian growers about the International Blueberry Organisation and encourage greater participation from blueberry industry players.
Blueberry Marketing Report: Australian Blueberries have teamed up with Wavemaker Brisbane again for the 2023/2024 season. The media strategy will focus on being loud launching the start of the blueberry season utilising Out of Home (OOH) and Radio media channels to reach as many consumers as possible in a short period of time.
