Adapted by Bronwyn Walsh, Industry Development Manager, WA Citrus

THE three-day event featured a comprehensive and engaging conference programme with Australian and international speakers, a trade expo, a welcome event and finished with the annual Citrus Industry Awards dinner.

Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock said the event was a success, welcoming more than 470 delegates from across the country and overseas. He also thanked the event sponsors and 37 exhibitors for their contribution.

“The programme covered the issues that matter most to your businesses right now, including market access and global trade dynamics, biosecurity preparedness, workforce challenges, production efficiency, technology adoption, and the evolving expectations of our customers here in Australia and in key export markets,” he said.

“What stood out to me was the level of engagement. Growers, packers, exporters and service providers were all involved in conversations, asked questions, shared experiences and looked for practical ways to improve performance. That is exactly what the Congress is designed to do.”

Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock welcomed more than 470 delegates from across the country and overseas.

Photography

Citrus Australia

The Congress’ speaking programme featured over 70 speakers who brought a strong mix of local knowledge and international perspective.

Keynote speakers included Justin Chadwick, former CEO of Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA), who shared his insights into the future direction of the South African industry and how it might shape the country’s place in the international market as a competitor to Australia.

Continuing the global theme, Patrick Vizzone provided insights into the global geopolitical landscape and how big picture influences like trade wars, tariffs and supply chain disruption could affect the fresh produce industry. Talking about their Green Paper on National Food Security Preparedness, Andrew Henderson from Agsecure Australian Strategic Policy Institute, spoke on Food Security in a Global Context.

Brad Ipsen, Sam Ipsen and Elora Streeter, Twin Lakes with Steve Falivene, NSW DPIRD.

WA growers and packers caught up with some of the other attendees at the Citrus Congress in Adelaide. Kyle Tynan (Moora Citrus), Damien Guthrey (Northern Valley Packers) and Blake Hemmings (Elders).

The proposed food security impact assessment could ensure every new policy proposal is tested for its impact on food production and the supply chain.

Dr Flavia Fayet-Moore from FoodIQ Global, presented her research finding that citrus not only contributes to boosting immunity through vitamin C, but also there is a:

• 19% reduced risk of heart disease

• 18% reduced risk of dementia

• 18% reduced risk of depression and

• Improved gut microbiota composition.

Beyond the big picture, the programme was filled with plenty of practical takeaways for growers, covering topics such as retail and consumer insights and production efficiencies, agrochemicals, post-harvest, irrigation and technology enhancements. The third day also hosted a Biosecurity Symposium where researchers at the forefront of their fields shared their findings with industry.

In the Tech in Focus session, Zane Sheffield from Ag Tech by Design presented his work on an autonomous weed-seeking tractor. The machine can identify green on brown and certain weed species green on green, while also using

GPS mapping to keep spray records. Its modular design allows it to retrofit to booms and operate as a plug-and-play system. The team is now developing long-term weed map analytics and multi-chemical targeting by species.

The Postharvest session attracted interest from the WA attendees, with several presentations covering chilling injury. Also relevant to WA was the poster by project lead, Steven Falivene, on albedo breakdown and its correlation with weather conditions.

Four awards were presented at the Congress dinner, acknowledging excellence, leadership, innovation, and lifetime contribution from across the sector.

The winners included:

• Emerging Leader: Thomas Braybrook, Nutrano Sunwest Farms

• Value Chain Innovator: John Gallard, Gallard Group

• Service to Industry: Glenn Collihole, Seaway Intermodal

• Hall of Fame: Henry Allan Meyer, HA Meyer & Son

Amongst presentations at the Biosecurity Forum, Lauren Diepenbrock, from the University of Florida spoke about several pest challenges, of particular interest were psyllids, chilli thrips and snails. Bronwyn took the opportunity to invite Lauren to WA for our field day at the end of the year.

Bronwyn said, “Not only did presentations cover a range of topics, but we spent time over a beer with other growers talking about experiences with a range of crop issues. Without fail, I come away with more than I expected. I don’t think this is an unusual experience for anyone that attends. There is always information to be learned that you won’t find on the internet.”

More information

Presentations from the Congress are available from Citrus Australia on request.

Original article: www.fruitnet. com/produce-plus/australian-cit-rus-congress-charts-industryfuture/271054.article