Innovation shaping the WA citrus industry

AT the recent memorial for the late Ernie Parkinson, we heard about changes in the orchard he'd made over 50 years. Changes were driven by increasing yields as well as changes in the supply chain such as in the packing shed and marketing. A broader look at the last ten years and into the future shows even more changes that have been part of the WA citrus industry's resilience. Examples of innovation within the citrus industry relate to increasing yields, meeting consumer demands, creating efficiencies, diversifying and protecting our orchards (Table 1 and 2).

Some points were touched on about Ernie's personality and approach to his business that are also often associated with innovation:

"Necessity is the mother of invention"
• In many cases, change is driven by market demands or profitability. Responding can be challenging, as time and financial constraints often limit the ability to experiment and adapt. However, grants, collaboration, and a bit of DIY tinkering can help get new ideas off the ground.
• Constantly refining a system under pressure.

"Curiosity"
• Being connected beyond the farm gate means staying informed and looking for information that challenges current practices and may be relevant to orchards now or in the future. Ernie subscribed to the international magazine Citrograph, which is still produced in California today.
• Since the 1990s, the internet has provided access to global information, although some knowledge remains within trusted relationships, businesses, and industry networks.
• More recently, artificial intelligence has enabled faster analysis of publicly available information and, where adopted, internal business data.

In August, there was an opportunity to look into the black box of the future. At Hack the Harvest, a United Exports and Venture UWA Hackathon, more than 100 UWA students from diverse disciplines worked together to develop solutions to challenges facing the WA blueberry industry. Chilli thrips, an issue shared by the blueberry and citrus industries, was one topic explored during the four-day event.

After visiting Western Berries to learn about field and packing shed operations, students formed teams and worked intensively over a weekend before pitching their ideas to a judging panel. Of the five teams, two were recognised for developing the most insightful, creative and feasible solutions to blueberry supply chain challenges. United Exports awarded a $5,000 prize to the winning team, while the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (WAARC) awarded $2,500 to the runner-up team.

Students from agricultural science, economics, software development, engineering, finance and marketing, collaborated with industry mentors, as well as Western Berries and United Exports staff. The hackathon brought pace, focus and collaboration to industry challenges. Growers provided the reality check, asking whether ideas would work under commercial conditions, while the broader team contributed fresh approaches to testing assumptions, designing tools and exploring pathways to market.

This approach helps shift the focus from technology for technology's sake to technology that delivers value. It also enables ideas to be tested early, brings diverse expertise together and recognises that failure in a controlled setting is far less costly than failure after years of investment. For growers, it can turn innovation from an isolated gamble into a supported process.

In addition, DPIRD also hosted an Innovation Challenge for more than 190 senior high school students and a WA Robotics Playoffs (WARP) in August.

State agencies, universities and the private sector play a vital role in horticulture R&D, connecting grower experience with new ideas from emerging researchers. At the WA Horticulture Science Forum in August, hosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration, around 100 horticulture researchers and investors came together to build a shared understanding of horticulture research and development underway across Western Australia.

More than 26 research snapshots were presented across three themes: genetics and breeding, production and climate resilience, and insects and diseases. Attendees also had plenty of opportunities to speak with researchers and learn more about projects relevant to citrus.

The forum concluded with an industry panel led by Bronwyn, Citrus Industry Development Manager, joined by Kathryn Young (Hort Innovation), Nardia Stacy (Pomewest) and Mark Scott (Nannup Fresh Fruit). The panel discussion and Q&A focused on what makes effective R&D, including early industry engagement, clearly defined problems, targeted project design and access to the right expertise.

When viewed together, these three events highlighted the human thread connecting the people, ideas and research that underpin horticultural innovation. Growers apply innovation in the real world, students bring curiosity, fresh ideas and new skills, and horticultural science provides the rigorous methods needed to test, measure and improve those ideas. Together, they help build stronger, more productive orchards.

When these groups work together, innovation becomes more than a buzzword. Growers identify challenges and trial new approaches, students contribute skills from fields such as data science, engineering, business and biology, and scientists work alongside growers to evaluate results and translate findings into practical outcomes.

The future of horticulture depends on this continuum: recognising growers who are willing to experiment and share priorities, supporting students to tackle real industry challenges, and investing in the science that turns local trials into advances that benefit the wider industry.

▪ If you're pruning trees this spring please consider donating some branches to Fusarium research that is part of the Polyphagous Shothole Borer research effort. Duccio Duccio Migliorini at Murdoch University would like to hear from you. He will come and collect the wood. For more details contact Bronwyn.

▪ If you have an issue in the orchard or packhouse, do you know the extent of its impact? For example, what proportion of fruit is affected, how often does it occur, and how widespread is it? Does it occur every season, across all blocks, or only in a particular mandarin block? Are other growers experiencing the same issue? This type of information can help focus research efforts and prioritise issues for investment.

▪ Do you have an idea that you'd like to test against real customer needs, commercial realities and on-farm impact? Programs such as the Australia-Grown Innovation, delivered by Hort Innovation Frontiers and Startupbootcamp can support you.

▪ If there is a new technology or product you would like to explore, hosting a demonstration site in your orchard can help share the effort. Project teams can collect data and evaluate performance, helping accelerate results and providing valuable insights for growers.

▪ Industry events, study tours, magazines, newsletters and online resources are valuable ways to learn about the latest research, technologies and opportunities. When trying a new practice, keep a few rows as an untreated control to help measure the benefits and compare outcomes.

▪ Your input can help researchers design projects that are practical and workable within an orchard setting, as well as refine research questions to focus on the issues that matter most.

INNOVATION

shaping the WA citrus industry

A grower's innovations where change begins with experiment

WA CITRUS innovations

Table 1. Innovation in the orchard

Table 2. Innovation past the farm gate

"Have a go"

A Hackathon. Students meet real horticultural problems

Horticultural Science Forum. A bridge between innovation and momentum

This approach builds credibility and confidence, encouraging continued investment in practical outcomes for growers, investors and researchers alike.

Connecting the three events

How can WA citrus growers participate in innovation?

Contacts

WA Citrus Office

WA Citrus Committee

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