update WA CITRUS

IT’S my pleasure to welcome and thank people this edition. Firstly, welcome, Karl D’Uva, a new grower to the Wanerie area. Karl recently bought the orchard from John Pratt in Rangeview Rd. Not new to horticulture, Karl works at a vegetable farm not too far away. Please make him feel welcome to the industry should you bump into him at an industry event or around the district.

Secondly, welcome Carnarvon grower Susan Maslen who joined the WA Citrus committee in February. Susan and Dudley own Big River Plantation in Carnarvon producing limes from the citrus category and other produce for 10 years. Susan brings to the committee skills in law, and board experience. Susan and Dudley have been regular attendees at industry events, promotion launch and initiated exchange visits with east coast lime grower. Thanks to Susan for her commitment and we look forward to her input.

Thanks to Bronwyn, Rachelle Johnstone from DPIRD and Helen for their pest management and irrigation events earlier this year. Local events are held in response to WA grower’s suggestions so if you have requests for events in 2025 or 2026, don’t be shy, send them to Bronwyn, at industrymanager@wacitrus.com.au or 0400 873 875.

Also thanks to Shane Kay and Andrew Pergoliti, fellow committee members who, with myself, had input into developing the 2025 Promotion campaign brief for seeking providers.

Looking after our reputation by providing great tasting fruit is important for the loyalty of our customers and our businesses. Grower are reminded to plan your free testing of fruit for this year. As part of the fee-for-service paid by WA growers, WA Citrus provides free pre-harvest testing to WA growers to check our fruit has the right Zing before it gets harvested. For each variety you can send in two samples per business to get the Brix (sugars) and Acid levels tested to see if they meet the WA BrimA standard. The BrimA standard is the ratio of brix to acid.

Research has shown that consumers like fruit with a particular sugar/acid ratio. See maturity standard section for more information.

At the industry level, our Committee is diligently working on determining the services the industry require for 2025–26 in order to set the FFS rate and budget.

Rested and ready! All the best for the season.