Citrus Technical Forum in 2019 will be more than just talking
Citrus forum promises to be more than just a 'talk fest'
READY: US application expert Matt Strmiska will speak at the Citrus Technical Forum in Adelaide and will also hold a field demonstration. Photo: Contributed
Leeton's Dean Morris is presenting at the forum.
A FORUM for citrus growers is promising to be "more than just talk".
Citrus Australia's Citrus Technical Forum will be held in Adelaide on March 6 and 7 and MIA growers have been urged to make the trip over to take part.
While there will be many guest speakers throughout the forum, including Leeton's own Dean Morris, the idea will be to pick up new hints, tips and tricks across the board.
One of those presenting at the forum is US application expert Matt Strmiska, who said citrus growers don’t necessarily need new equipment to improve their spray coverage.
"The type of machine is irrelevant with a better understanding of correct technique," he said.
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Mr Strmiska will share advice on how to improve coverage and also provide a field demonstration at Costa Exchange’s Kangara farm as part of the pre-forum tour.
He has been an independent consultant for nine years and is an advisor to different universities and the US Department of Agriculture, with whom his work has been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
“I have worked with a lot of growers and spray applications can be optimized on almost any machine, resulting in more precise application of product for significantly better yield,” Mr Strmiska said.
Mr Strmiska's background is in manufacturing and fabrication.
Ten years ago, his father, an agronomist, came to him with a query: "when the only variant is the type of machine, how is it you can receive two completely different results?"
“Essentially, I try to understand the physics of spraying, and have developed techniques to improve growers’ equipment and practices,” he said.
“I can bridge the gap between technical studies and what growers experience in the field.”
As a consultant, including regular visits to Australia, Mr Strmiska not only shows growers and their employees how to improve spray coverage, but teaches the fundamentals so they can continue to improve.
Register for the forum at www.citrusaustralia.com.au/events.
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