WA STONEFRUIT update

Image

Left to right: Cr Ray Moir, Danny DiMarco, Cr Dr Mark Sweetingham, Ross Anile, Cr Monica Radomiljac (Chairperson) and Cr Georgia Thomas.

WA STONEFRUIT
Report

Image
Image

APC Commissioners 

VISIT TO KARRAGULLEN

On the 23rd of October, the APC Commissioners, Georgia Thomas, Monica Radomijic, Mark Sweetingham and Ray Moir visited the Karragullen horticultural area.

Words Ross Anile, Project Officer and Value Chain Facilitator, WA Stonefruit

Image

THEY were hosted by Danny DiMarco at the DiMarco & Sons Orchard in Karragullen. Danny explained to the commissioners the challenges that stonefruit growers face in an ever-changing climate and the need for standards to be able to market stonefruit to the WA consumer effectively.

Danny was able to walk the commissioners through his orchard showing the early varieties of nectarines which will be first to market from his property.

The commissioners enjoyed being able to visually appreciate the excellent quality of fruit grown by the DiMarco family, and the passion that Danny has for the industry.

Danny explained that as much as everybody is talking about climate change and the economics of running an orchard, his major concern at present, was the effect of bird damage to his crops.

Growers are facing up to 40 per cent crop losses due to bird infiltration on properties. Danny stated that the cost of controlling this damage is increasing every year, and shooting these pests is becoming an expensive exercise.

Danny highlighted the need for some form of government financial assistance in netting their farms to reduce crop damage by birds. One suggestion was for State and Federal government to possibly co-fund a scheme to assist growers with rebates or have a 100% first year deprecation on the cost of netting.

Biosecurity was a concern for the horticultural industry and Danny was looking forward to the investigation into a possible irradiation system for WA. Danny felt that it should be a joint State/Federal government initiative to have such a required system in WA. It would assist in any state-based biosecurity issues and encourage the exporting of WA produce to countries that will only take irradiated produce rather than produce treated by Methyl Bromide.

The commissioners then travelled 500 meters down the road the Karragullen Cool Stores Packing facility.

The commissioners were met by Mario Casotti who is the son of an icon to the WA Horticultural community Neil Casotti. Neil Casotti was a visionary in the WA Horticultural Industry, who helped to guide/develop this industry from the 70s to present day.

Many orchardists benefited from Neils words of wisdom and drive to encourage the plantings of new varieties and an overall expansion to meet domestic and international markets.

Neil sadly passed away after a long illness and his presence is missed by all.

Mario was proud to show the commissioners his state-of-theart packing facility, which utilizes Compac AI technology to wash and grade for colour, quality and size with no human intervention. At the time the facility was grading new season pears with only the packers filling the boxes for delivery to the majors and markets.

This type of facility has reduced the cost of doing business and increased his quality controls to meet his customer’s fresh produce requirements.

Mario was able to show the commissioners the different storage facilities and explain the science on temperature and air quality controls to maximize the nutritional retention of the fruit, whilst maintaining the taste and freshness for the consumer to have an enjoyable experience.

After a 2-hour visit to Karragullen the commissioners were able to leave with a better understanding of the hills fruit industry and successes and challenges that the hills orchardists face.

Many thanks to Danny DiMarco and Mario Casotti for hosting the commissioners.


MORE INFORMATION

Contact Ross on 0419 931 118 or ross.anile@perthnrn.com

Image