Qfly workshops instigate proactive conversation

Qfly workshops instigate proactive conversation

9 February 2018

Citrus Australia’s Murray Valley Regional Advisory Committee (MVRAC) was pleased with an attendance of 30-40 people at their most recent fruit fly workshops, held on Thursday 1 February. The workshops took place at Grandview Orchard, Dareton, NSW, and Minter Magic, Iraak, Victoria, and built on strategies discussed at a pre-Christmas workshop at Belah Heights, Trentham Cliffs, NSW.

Participants heard from interstate growers at the Belah Heights session who talked about their experiences and strategies for managing fruit fly. Greg Moulds, NSW Local Land Services, discussed the different traps and bait spraying techniques available to growers, and the monitoring occurring across NSW. Growers saw a fruit fly bait spray cart demonstrated.

A key theme amongst the workshops was surprise over the number of fruit flies being found in traps each week. Mildura Fruit Company (MFC) Grower Services Representative Justin Lane, said that it’s important to start bait spraying as early as ten weeks out from crop maturity.

“Until now everyone has probably been a bit scared of the extra work involved, but I think it’s something we can manage if we all work together,” he said.

“We were really pleased with the practical information presented at the workshops. These are really simple implementable practices that growers can be applying.”

Growers can access helpful information and resources through the NSW Department of Primary Industries website, or contact Steven Falivene, Citrus Development Officer, NSW DPI, on 03 5019 8400.