PIT Group Sessions Vinifera, Cobdogla 27th and 28th July 2022

Topics

The 2023 Winter PIT Group meetings covering topics including:

  • Chill, oil and polymer sprays
  • Benchmarking data
  • Orchard management and monitoring
  • Orchard sanitation post-harvest
  • Potential insect pests

Nyah West, VIC & Cobdogla, SA

27th and 28th July 2022

Presentations
Meeting Report

The second round of PIT Groups for 2022 were held at The Grand Hotel, Nyah West then Jeff Dickinson’s orchard on Wednesday 27th of July 2022.  The second session was held on Thursday 28th of July in Cobdogla, South Australia at Ian McFarlane’s orchard. 

This page has a brief summary of the meetings, the full meeting report, the presentations in PDF form, photographs from the day and the 11 videos of the Cobdogla PIT Group session.

Both PIT Group sessions were well attended, with a total of 45 growers and industry personnel attending across both venues. 

James Simpfendorfer filmed proceedings at the Cobdogla session and during the field walk and spliced in the presentations.  Thank you very much James!

PGA researcher, Dr Maha Mahadevan kicked off the presentations at both sessions. Maha presented a summary of her research to date, future research plans and the latest industry benchmarking data.   Dr Mahadevan’s talk covered topics including;

  • Regional chill measurements
  • Oiland polymer spray trials to offset lack of chill
  • Industry Benchmarking and
  • Future research plans

Jake Butler from Swan Hill Chemicals (SHC) spoke on how to get the best from your pistachio trees using various fertilisers, chelates and monitoring/management techniques.
  • The program focuses on a combination of fertiliser applications through the ground via irrigation as well as foliar applied.
  • Product selection based off a similar Almond fertiliser program which have seen above average yields in the Sunraysia/Mallee region.
  • Focusing mainly on liquid products when possible, for ease of mixing and OH & S reasons.
  • Targeting seasonal Pistachio NPK requirements from Californian Pistachio data, with 90% in the growing season & 10% post harvest. 
  • Soil microbial and root stimulant products to promote root health, soil health and microbial activity.
  • Adjusting to half rates for unestablished or non-bearing trees.
  • Encouraging regular sap & leaf nutrient analysis throughout the season to allow for timely adjustments.
  • Annual or Bi-Annual soil testing to monitor nutrient levels and pH trends.

Craig Feutrill spoke on the need for orchard sanitation in pistachios as a preventative measure for diseases and ‘if’ any potential pest insects invade orchards.

Part of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is orchard sanitation post-harvest.  Removing mummy nuts from trees during post-harvest, and the gathering and destruction (flailing) of nuts on the ground is important in the US to control Navel Orangeworm and also helps reduce Botryosphaeria inoculum, which can splash up into the trees during heavy storms. Sanitation efforts should begin following harvest and should be wrapped up by late August.

Craig Feutrill also presented at both meetings, although greatly extended at the Cobdogla meeting, the finalised chapter on ‘Potential Insect Pests of Australian Pistachio Orchards’.  This chapter will be part of the grower’s manual currently being produced.   Craig also provided information on a trial ‘chat room’ that will be for grower initiated discussion.  The link to the chat room will be sent to all growers with a designated time when Dr Maha Mahadevan, Craig, and Trevor Ranford will be available for Q&A.

 In South Australia at Cobdogla we had the bonus discussion with host Ian McFarlane on his new Tenias pistachio harvester.  Ian had the harvester delivered from Spain one week prior to the 2022 harvest.  It is an enormous machine as can be seen in the picture gallery from the meeting  below.

Videos

Playlist

11 Videos