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Thursday, December 26, 2024

News Classifieds Digital Editions

Citrus, Stone Fruit & Nuts

Shining light on big squeeze - Sunraysia grower reveals pros and cons of high-density orchards

Matthew Cottrell among high-density planted late lane navel orange trees on Citrange rootstock. The narrow spacing requires annual hedging that reduces the yield capacity for the mature trees. Picture: Supplied.

SUNRAYSIA citrus grower Matthew Cottrell has become a casebook study for a NSW Department of Primary Industry research project on high-density plantings across the industry.

As well as citrus, Mr Cottrell and his family also produce wine and table grapes on their 230ha at Nangiloc, where their citrus orchards include a range of early, mid, and late navels, as well as seeded daisy and tangold mand...