Long-range input forecasting pays dividends for innovative berry producers
Since they started Queensland Berries 20 years ago, it has become one of Australia’s largest privately owned and operated berry business, providing year-round supply under the Driscolls brand to Aldi, Coles, Costco and Woolworths from multiple farms, in the state’s southeast.
The McGruddys produce approximately 15 million punnets of strawberries annually using a tabletop system, where strawberry plant plugs are grown in gutters with controlled nutrient application. Running out of any of the critical elements that make up their feed recipe can spell disaster.
To ensure they could source the right ingredients at the optimal time, they turned to their Nutrien Ag Solutions agronomist, Millie Monk. Millie and branch manager, Karl Tollner are based out of Nutrien Yandina, and have been servicing Queensland Berries for the last 15 years.
Together, they collect samples and interpret data from plant, sap and dry leaf testing, to determine what nutrients are needed to achieve optimum plant growth, fruit quality and yield.
“We take a collaborative approach by integrating the two teams of agronomists,” Richard said.
“When the test results come back, our staff get together with Karl and Millie so that we have a broad spectrum of views and initiatives on how to get the best out of the plants.
Karl Tollner said while Nutrien Ag Solutions agronomists deal with many large and successful growers, the scale of Queensland Berries is unique and requires a proportionate level of service.
“We wanted to work with Queensland Berries because right from the start they were an innovative business willing to test new varieties and processes,” he said.
“It’s also about the people, and the McGruddys and their farm managers have a genuinely happy workplace, so we enjoy the partnership and problem solving as well as offering the right products and solutions.
“Our work is made easier by the sheer scale of the Nutrien network, which is amazing. I’ve been an agronomist in this region for 16 to 17 years and there’s always someone, somewhere, in Nutrien that has the information you need or a different perspective or point of view to learn from.”
Millie Monk has been in Yandina for two years and makes weekly visits to work with the Queensland Berries team.
“Agriculture is continuously evolving and finding new ways to improve productivity. No matter how long you’ve been in the business it’s always inspiring to work with down to earth, family growers like Richard, Melissa and Lucy, who share your passion for the industry and put their trust in your capabilities to get the best outcome for them each season.
“They always seem to be a couple of steps ahead, and they were one of the first to make the move to tabletop growing, which can be much more controlled, easier to pick, and provide more yield per hectare.
“We’re already well into planning for next season and leveraging the data from this year as well as finding ways to incorporate new crop protection technology set to hit the market."