by Ashley Walmsley, Farm Weekly
PINEAPPLE growers have sharpened their knowledge on the widely-used herbicide diuron, determined to make the most of it while they can.
The two-day Pineapple Field Days in Yeppoon last week attracted more than 100 people, with suggestions 80 per cent of Australia’s pineapple farms were represented.
It was also a sign of resilience and recovery for central Queensland growers, many of whom copped the full force of Cyclone Marcia when it tore across paddocks in February last year.
In a break from the traditional field day structure, and a sign of the united effort to increase responsible chemical use, a full afternoon was given to an information and accreditation course.
Diuron is a broad-spectrum residual herbicide and algaecide used in agriculture for pre-emergent and post-emergent control of broadleaved and grass weeds.
The widely-used chemical appeared to be on the chopping block in 2011 by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
But lobbying from key grower groups resulted in a new minor use permit to use diuron at a rate equivalent to 1.8kg per hectar per year for pineapples.
During the negotiations, the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) repeatedly raised the issue of unlawful use during the time it was banned for use in pineapples.
Growcom subsequently developed an industry accreditation program for the pineapple industry to ensure all users were familiar with the conditions of the permit and to keep track of who can legally use the product.
Those who completed the training received an accreditation card.
In his address to the field days crowd, Pineapples Australia chairman Stephen Pace encouraged growers to make the most of the new diuron allowance.
“We’ve got this permit- do not abuse it. The industry will be scrutinised,” he said.
The field days kicked off with a tour of the Sherriff family’s plantation at Tanby.
The family has trialled various nutrient techniques on its mostly hybrid crop.
It has also installed fixed, elevated sprinklers in some blocks in order to reduce sunburn on young fruit through irrigation, although water has not been needed in recent weeks.
Peter Sherriff said the property received more than 400mm of rain a fortnight ago however the farm held up considerably well.
It was as similar report from the Brooks family’s property at nearby Bungundarra where grower Jake Brooks said he received 440mm in the space of about 48 hours.
There were few visible signs of last year’s Cyclone Marcia destruction with growers working hard since then to re-established lost crops.
“It’s something we don’t talk about much now,” Mr Brooks said.
Golden Circle’s Doug Jones spoke briefly on the company’s decisions in recent years to increase the base price for its fruit and moves to reduce rejected fruit numbers.
This has included re-classifying what is considered canning fruit sizes and paying an incentive on top of the regular juice price to recognise that.
He said the company was also looking to take more hybrid varieties having found recent success in processing some new varieties.
Other topics on the agenda included updates on the levy structure, pineapple marketing and the opportunity to take part in Growcom’s Hort360 Innovation Coach program.
A further healthy sign for the pineapple industry was a sold-out gala dinner on the last night which included an address from dairy farmer Greg Dennis, who was driving a tractor from the Scenic Rim through to the Atherton Tableland in order to raise awareness of the importance of agriculture.
Source: Farm Weekly