#21 August 2021

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In this issue of the "Cherry" we feature videos from the recent cherry production webinars.

Jess Fearnley from NSW DPI talks about climate suitablity of cherries in NSW

Jeff Matsen from Snowgum Honeybees talks about bee management on the orchard

TAMARA sweet cherry

Reid Fruits has a 165 year history in fruit production and export and is the licensee for Tamara™ in Australia.

Fruit

Tamara™ is a precocious variety that produces exceptionally large (wide), firm crunchy fleshed, heart-shaped fruits that have an aromatic, fruity, intense flavor. Tamara™ is harvested in the 5th cherry week and the dark red fruits show average fruit size above 30mm. Stems are moderately long (40mm) and appear quite thick. Test plots in Tasmania have shown greater crack resistance than Lapin and Simone. The variety has been highly recommended globally for commercial growing.

Growth

Medium to strong growth with a relatively open structure and pendant laterals. Would suit a steep leader system. Good frost resistance in test blocks. Suggested rootstocks GiSelA® 6, 12 or 13 and Colt™. For more information on the variety and growth habits click on this link to the TAMARA™ flyer

Commercialization

Tamara™ attracts a one-off royalty at purchase, after which growers are free to grow, pack and market the variety. For enquiries about the availability of Tamara™ and any other information, contact Nick Owens, PHONE: 0419 372 140; EMAIL: nickowens@reidfruits.com.au; WEBSITE: www.reidfruits.com.au.

Reid Fruits has extensive nursery operations in Tasmania with a focus on improving quality supply of planting material through extensive virus testing and selection.

FOR SALE: Mechanical cherry grader

Installed in approx 2001, GP GRADERS built and serviced annually. Just needs distribution belts and scales to complete full grader. Used by us last season. Selling due to machine upgrade to electronic grader. Is in excellent running condition, and has served us very well.

Sale of equipment Includes: Bin tipper, Water bath, Elevator, Cluster cutter, Main sorting belt, Small fruit eliminator, and Sizer and Platform. $65,000 negotiable.

Contact Peter Foster 0419 513 923, Yarra Valley Cherries, Victoria

Australian Agriculture visa

Earlier this week, the Federal Government announced the Australian Agriculture visa.

This visa responds to workforce shortages in the agriculture and primary industry sectors, and recent changes to the Working Holiday Maker program developed as part of the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Read more

Fruit Fly webinar

The National Fruit Fly Council is holding a webinar on the Predictive Modelling and Forecasting of Fruit Flies in Australia Project on Monday 6 September 2021 from 2pm-4.30pm.

The webinar will include an overview of the project and relevant talks. Work in this area provides opportunities to explore and develop innovative tools and techniques to support Australia's trade environment. Read more

Download the pdf

Stone fruit production in Australia is forecast to increase in 2021/22

Stone fruit production in Australia is forecast to increase in marketing year (MY) 2021/22, following a MY 2020/21 season that was impacted by a shortage of labor supply at harvest and export freight logistics challenges borne about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cherry production is forecast to increase by 11 percent, and peaches and nectarines by five percent. Read more

Export Market Development Grants

Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program helps Australian businesses grow their exports in overseas markets. Read more

Avatar (indoxacarb) to be banned in the EU
Photo: Kevin Dodds, NSW DPI.

The EU has published G/TBT/N/EU/827, proposing non-renewal of Avatar (indoxacarb) due to concerns relating to human and animal health and the environment. As a result, we will likely see this product progressively banned around the world.

Australian-grown Horticulture Sustainability Framework

Hort Innovation has released the Australian-grown Horticulture Sustainability Framework.

A guide to help the horticulture sector share its sustainable, ethical, and safe farming practice stories with stakeholders as consumers and investors increasingly ask for evidence of ethical and sustainable practises from their food producers. Read more

New data management tools helping Australian fruit exporters maintain the best quality through the supply chain

Without access to quick and detailed data, exporters have a poor understanding of the conditions that their fruit and vegetables are being exposed to, and the resulting impacts on quality and profits, according to an Australian researcher who is using AgTech to monitor fresh produce consignments. Read more

Latest pesticide resistance management advice released

CropLife Australia’s Resistance Management Strategies for fungicides, herbicides and insecticides assist farmers, agronomists and environmental land managers to ensure important crop protection products remain viable and effective tools. Read more

Improving sweet cherry fruit quality-handling cherries at harvest (part 2)

Since cherry harvest timing occurs at a ripening stage where respiration is high, fruit deterioration begins almost immediately from the point of removal from the tree. Read more

Plan ahead this cherry season (& include Covid-19)

With cherry blossom soon to start popping, it is time to identify issues that have not yet been addressed and to act on them. Read more

Marketplace

Have an item to sell or advertise? Connect with 1000 people by advertising in the CGA newsletter. Rates for growers and associate members are $240 per page (A4) web equivalent, $120 for half a page, $60 for a quarter of a page and $30 for text only. Prices are for 2 consecutive months (issues). Add 10% if you are not a grower or Associate member. Contact CGA at export@cherrygrowers.org.au for more information.