Queensland state report – Feb/Mar 2018

The notion that you usually have more fruit than you think has again proven itself this season. After a weary start to the season with a rather erratic and abnormal flowering period, fruit set has been higher than originally expected. Fruitlet thinning is nearing completion across the region for most cultivars and the benefits are well represented in early varieties. When comparing Queensland’s expected crop to last season’s result, the general consensus is that the total crop is going to be lower by about six per cent. The main contributors to the reduced production are Granny Smith and varieties producing Pink Lady® apples, as well as Sundowner™, which continue to be removed.

Weather has been favourable for the first half of the growing season. Regular rainfall and temperatures have stayed largely away from the extreme side of the spectrum, giving promising growing conditions. Forecasts showed January would have a high chance of receiving above-average rainfall. Further bouts of hail have been recorded across the region but it has been nothing out of the ordinary and generally it has been patchy. This has led to worthy fruit quality on trees.

Some areas are having issues with parrots and flying foxes this season, which are difficult to control due to regulations and the time of day at which they damage crops. The Queensland fruit fly threat is higher this season than last and management needs to be vigilant early to prevent losses right at the end of growing. As long as nothing out of the ordinary occurs weather-wise, the start to the harvest should be decent.

Overall, January was a quiet month event-wise with most producers gearing up for harvest, which does not seem to be coming on as early as thought. Anticipation is building for the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival in Stanthorpe between 23 February and 4 March.