SOURCE: Queensland Country Life
Australia’s pineapple industry will head to Bundaberg this July for the Golden Circle 2021 Pineapple Field Days.
Delivered by Growcom on behalf of the Australian pineapple industry, the two-day event will include information sessions, practical field walks, gala dinner and a trade show.
The event will be a major drawcard for growers, researchers, and supply chain operators.
Australian Pineapples chairman Stephen Pace said he is excited for the return of the Pineapple Field Days this year, after the event was cancelled in 2020 because of covid restrictions.
“This event brings growers and key stakeholders together to showcase the research and development occurring across the pineapple industry,” Mr Pace said.
“Though the trials are concentrated on pineapples, the event is designed to educate all horticultural growers on the ways we can improve productivity and environmental outcomes across the sector.”
The two-day event will feature R&D trials underway on both the Amaryllys Farming Company and Littabella Pines properties.
Littabella Pines owner John Steemson said one trial was an erosion control site investigating several approaches to reduce losses of sediment, nutrients and pesticides.
“The site was established for use as a benchmark and as a topic of conversation within industry,” Mr Steemson said.
“What we want is for attendees to leave the event armed with new practices they can implement in their own operations, allowing the best financial and environmental outcomes for those businesses.”
The Steemsons are also involved in trials looking at improved fumigation practices, the effectiveness of bio-organic products, herbicide replacements, and monitoring the viability of bioreactors as an option to manage chemical and nutrient leaving growing sites.
“All of these trial sites have progressed really well and are showing some exciting results which will be available at the Pineapple Field Days in July,” Mr Steemson said.
The Pineapple Field Days will be held on July 8-9 and is expected to attract more than 150 guests from across the pineapple and wider horticulture industries.
Early-bird tickets have been extended until May 30.
About 99 per cent of pineapples are produced in Queensland, with the balance coming from the Northern Territory (1pc). The $52 million industry’s major growing regions include South East Queensland, Wide Bay, Yeppoon, Rollingstone, Mareeba, and Darwin.