#22 September 2021

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Chemical Use for Export Toolkit: Helping Cherry, Summerfruit, and Table Grape Growers Realise Export Aspirations

The Victorian Government is supporting cherry, summerfruit and table grape growers across the state to realise their export market aspirations by building capacity and managing supply chain risks.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas announced this project as part of the first tranche of the Food to Market program to support projects that will add value to food grown and processed in Victoria. Read more

Orchardist, Steve Chapman from Chappies in Silvan shares his expertise on growing white (blush cherries)

F r a n k T r i m b o l i 0 4 1 2 5 9 7 1 7 8

https://www.auspouch.com.au

Cherry cracking

A comprehensive article on cherry cracking was published Redagrícola (Aug 2021) written by Dr Richard Bastías of the University of Concepcion, Chile. The article, translated from Spanish, is reproduced in the attached document and may have some errors. A summary/editorial follows the article. Read more.

Global Cherry Growth: A 10‐year Perspective

Since 2011/12, fresh cherry production has increased almost 1.0 million tons to 4.0 million in 2020/21, recording only 2 years of decline. Of the 17 producing countries tracked in USDA’s Production, Supply, and Distribution (PSD) database during this period, 11 countries expanded output. Read more.

https://bit.ly/cherry-growers

Ag-Chem Update, September 2021

A summary of regulatory issues and chemical reviews currently underway both locally and internationally may be found here.

Landscape Opportunity and Options for Carbon abatement Calculator - Webinar

The carbon abatement calculator gives producers information to assess potential changes to carbon by undertaking various tree or soil carbon activities on their land. In this webinar, Dr Stephen Roxburgh will provide an introduction to this tool and explain some of the background to it. By visiting https://looc-c.farm/ you can use the map interface to select a potential project area and help start the conversation of carbon abatement options for your farm business.

Zoom webinar: Tuesday 12 October @ 12 pm (AEST) Register here

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.

Novel technologies and practices for the optimisation of pollination within protected cropping environments (ST19000).

There is increasing evidence to suggest that the altered environmental conditions caused by protective cropping environments can negatively impact crop plant physiology and reproduction, insect pollinators and the pollination services they provide. This means that many growers are experiencing inadequate pollination resulting in lower yields and fruit quality than are achieved in open field conditions. Using a multifaceted approach, this program will focus on the productivity and quality of pollination in protected cropping environments. The aim is to understand the current impediments to adequate pollination, then improve these systems through the use of advanced technology. Read the research summary

QIMA: Uncertainty among cherry exporters over new season in Chinese market

On January 21, 2021, a major media outlet reported false information that disrupted the cherry market in China. Allegedly, the presence of the Covid-19 virus was detected on a box of Chilean cherries exported to the city of Wuxi, in the province of Jiangsu. Read more.

Download the pdf

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.

Funding, grants and scholarships

CGA website updates

Recordings of all production webinars are now available on the CGA website
Growers can also access videos on export basics (Export 101) and workshop recordings in the members section (login required)

Events and seminars

28-30 September - Asia Fruit Logistica, Hong Kong
28-29 September - Asia Fruit Congress, digital

Header and footer photo: courtesy Victorian Cherry Association