Jock's Blog

Flying Fox Meeting

Flying foxes are a growing problem for our orchardists within the Sydney basin.  Urban sprawl along the eastern seaboard and to some extent climate change has forced flying foxes to go looking for food in other areas.  This is usually a farmer's stone fruit or apple orchard.

The only cost effective way of protecting crops from flying foxes is to cull.  Farmers cautiously cull only when required.  After all, who wants to stay up all night trying to protect a ripening crop after having worked all day in the orchard?  Yet this particular crop protection method is under threat of removal by the State Government.  The only other option without culling will be to fully net the orchard.  This is a very costly exercise.

Next Wednesday the Association is holding a farmers-only information night for Sydney Basin Orchardists (including Central Coast Orchardists) on the Government's efforts to review the culling of flying foxes.

The Association needs all Orchardists to attend this meeting and we encourage you to invite you neighbours and fellow farmers, including non-Members.

The meeting will be held at Richmond Club at 7pm (6pm for bistro meal at own cost) on 15 April.  Contact Frances Vella for further information: 0428 228 818.