POMEWEST update
As we prepare for the upcoming apple and pear production season, growers are reporting a range of forecasts regarding fruit set in their orchards.
Words Nardia Stacy, Executive Manager, Pomewest
PRICES remain strong as we approach the festive season, just before stonefruit enters the retail markets. Some pome varieties have concluded their season, while certain favourite cultivars have struggled to develop properly due to extreme heat events during the harvest. However, growers are optimistic that 2025 will be a successful season, thanks to the mild to warm conditions observed during the flowering period.
Over the past few months, our team has concentrated on planning and promotional activities to close the year. We have promoted several consumer initiatives while highlighting the industry as an attractive student career option. Our efforts kicked off with the Perth Royal Show in late September, where apples were the star of the Fresh Produce exhibition at the Centenary Pavilion. See our report on page 52 for more details.
October 2024
Donnybrook Long Table Lunch
Pomewest again supported the Annual Donnybrook Long Table Lunch, which was a great success thanks to organisers at Taste Donnybrook, Orchard 1Sixty, Pomewest, and the other sponsors. Jen and Susie did a fantastic job promoting apples and pears at the event and reminded everyone to snack on WA apples and pears as the ultimate choice for healthy eating.
Southwest Food Bowl
The Pomewest team, with support from the Scott Family in Nannup, sponsored and hosted the Southwest Food Bowl Agricultural Awareness event. Over 800 school children aged ten to fifteen from across the southwest, including Dunsborough, Busselton, Manjimup, and Nannup, had the opportunity to learn about the importance of agriculture. Susie and Jen demonstrated the impact of pests on farming, specifically focusing on managing Mediterranean fruit flies in horticultural practices. They conducted field demonstrations explaining the life cycles of these pests and when to look for larvae and flies in backyard gardens and orchards. They also highlighted the importance of disposing of infected fruits and vegetables and showed how to create a homemade trap for adult Mediterranean fruit flies. This event served as an excellent platform for promoting apples and exploring agricultural career pathways in the industry. It helped teachers and students understand where food comes from, and the various production systems involved.
Aust Agronomy Conference
Jen represented apples and pears at the Australian Agronomy Conference Tour in Manjimup.
Approximately 20 delegates visited the Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute to learn about the Narrow Orchard Systems project, as well as other local farming businesses. The tour concluded at the Cidery in Bridgetown, where attendees received an overview of the cider industry in Western Australia, along with information on research and marketing initiatives supported by Pomewest. These initiatives included the market quality program and the No Snackgrets campaign. Since the conference primarily focused on grains, the guests were both refreshed and delighted to learn more about Western Australia’s horticulture industry during the tour.
Working with Work Safe
Pomewest and growers represented WA apples and pears at the Worksafe event on Friday, October 25, in Bunbury. The event was part of the Worksafe Safety Month presentations to promote safe farming practices to prevent on-farm fatalities. This initiative is part of a broader effort to engage and highlight hazards with farm work practices in the agricultural industry. See a summary of this on page 4.
November 2024
Neil Casotti Lake
In November, Neil Casotti Lake officially opened in Beedelup, Southwest WA, honouring the late Neil Casotti, who passed away in 2022. The Casotti family hosted the event, attended by local horticultural producers and industry stakeholders.
Mario Casotti, a notable producer of apples, pears, stone fruit, and avocados, managed the project, which began with a feasibility survey in May 2016. Construction was completed by August 2024. The lake measures 2,400 meters in length and 800 meters at its widest point, with a capacity of 3.2 gigalitres and covering an area of 58 hectares at maximum design.
Mario also recognised the efforts of over 50 workers who contributed to the project. The lake aims to provide a sustainable water supply for WA’s horticulture industry and support local food security for consumers.
Future Strategizing 2026–30
Pomewest recently held a Strategic Review and Update Workshop in Donnybrook, facilitated by APC CEO Catherine O’Keeffe. This workshop aimed to prepare for and conduct forward-looking horizon scanning to anticipate the industry’s challenges and opportunities over the next five years. Key industry producers and stakeholders were invited to ensure that the sector remains proactive in investing and maximising the impact of Pome FFS investments. This initiative is designed to benefit growers and the industry, fostering growth and prosperity for everyone.
A sundowner was held following the workshop to celebrate the festive season and express gratitude to the participants for their time and contributions. Details about the workshop’s outcomes will be shared through our usual communication platforms in the coming months.
This edition
We are featuring the November Future Orchard Walk, the 2024 Perth Royal Show Promotion report and an interview with James Scott about his experiences and adventures in farming in the UK and a PIPS4Profit IPDM article on Phytophthora in Orchards by Agriculture Victoria.
On behalf of the Committee, Susie, Jen, and I are committed to advancing our collective efforts to improve the industry for 2025. We wish all our growers, stakeholders, and friends all the best for the festive season and look forward to doing it all again in the New Year. Don’t hesitate to contact the Pomewest team if you need assistance or want to discuss industry-related matters with us. We will do our best to help.
More information Nardia Stacy, 0411 138 103, nardia@pomewest.net.au