Sweetheart of a cherry scheme
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Local cherry-lovers have long known Orange orchardists grow world-class cherries and now a novel scheme aims to open lucrative new export markets to the fruit.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange City Council and farmers have united to demonstrate that Orange cherries have not been exposed to Queensland fruit fly with the aim of gaining “area freedom”.
NSW DPI horticulturist, Jeremy Bright, said fruit fly area freedom will give local growers access to markets in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Taiwan, Japan and the USA.
“Orange is in an ideal position to control fruit fly because our cool climate means the pests are active for a short five months during the warmer part of the year,” Mr Bright said.
“This year we are working with the Orange City Council to set up traps in a grid pattern throughout the town to monitor for fruit fly.”
The traps located in Orange parks and green strips are being monitored by the contract mowing staff every fortnight and the DPI will perform maintenance checks every month from now until June when fruit fly activity ceases.
Mr Bright said new weather modelling technology is being used to predict the development of the female fruit fly.
“At this stage we predict female fruit fly will be fully developed by January 19 next year,” he said.
“Sweethearts are the last cherry variety to be harvested and they’re due for picking by January 9, giving growers 10 days leeway to finish harvest.”
According to Mr Bright last summer saw a huge increase in the number of fruit fly trapped.
“500 flies were caught in February 2005 but improved orchard hygiene and keeping a close eye what’s happening in the orchard will reduce the number of fruit fly in the district,” he said.
While fruit fly area freedom will benefit cherry exports it’s the district’s cool climate and soils which contribute to the flavour of Orange’s juicy, sweet cherries.
“Clearly local cherry growers are doing a great job and now with support from the Council and the rest of the community we hope to open more markets to Orange cherries.”
For more information on the monitoring program and for video and photo opportunities contact Jeremy Bright (02) 6391 3822 or 0427 213 059.
Media contact: Bernadette York, Orange (02) 6391 3800 bernadette.york@dpi.nsw.gov.au