The Full Bottle

Episode 35: Bug Wars

Taking on citrus pests in Far North Queensland 
Ever wondered what it really takes to keep Australia’s citrus safe from some of the world’s most stubborn little pests? In Episode 35 of The Full Bottle, horticulturalist Emily Pattison squeezes out the details around her quest to outsmart Oriental spider mites and mealybug in Queensland’s lime and lemon country. 
Find out how Emily is using predatory mites and Cryptolaemus beetles to help growers cut back on chemical sprays — and why getting the timing right is absolutely crucial. She also shares her trials with sulphur sprays, the unexpected results, and what still needs to happen before these techniques go mainstream. 
Whether you work in citrus, are curious about life on the farm, or just love hearing how science is transforming agriculture — this episode is full of fresh insights and inspiration. 
Like, subscribe, and leave a review to keep up with every episode. Learn more at www.citrusaustralia.com.au 

Episode 34: Tree Tracker

Tracking trees and growing insights! 
In this episode of The Full Bottle, Sarah and Rachel sit down with Paul Stephens, Advanced Citrus Traceability Project Officer at Citrus Australia, to explore how mapping citrus plantings is transforming the industry. Paul explains the "block-building" program, which captures and collates data on citrus orchards, nurseries, storage facilities, and more. 
With thousands of hectares already mapped — and many more to go — this data is proving vital for industry advocacy, biosecurity planning, and boosting productivity. Tune in to learn how the citrus sector is using information to shape a more informed and resilient future. 
🍊 Like, subscribe, and leave a review to keep up with every episode. 🌐 Learn more at www.citrusaustralia.com.au 
#CitrusAustralia#TheFullBottle #HortInnovation

Episode 33: Crop Codes

In this episode of The Full Bottle, Sarah and Rachel are joined by Sharon Chapman, CEO and Founder of ABC Software. Born and raised in New Zealand’s fruit bowl, Hawkes Bay, Sharon is here to share her story in business and IT – and show how her company is helping horticulture businesses of all shapes and sizes integrate technology.  
🍊 Like, subscribe, and leave a review to get the most out of every episode! 🌐 Learn more at citrusaustralia.com.au 
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review of our podcast to squeeze the most out of every episode! 
#CitrusAustralia #TheFullBottle #CitrusAustralia #ABCSoftware #GrowingTech #TechHorticulture #AustraliaNewZealand 

Episode 32: Pest Control

In this episode of The Full Bottle, Sarah and Rachel dive into the highlights of the 2025 Australian Citrus Congress, joined by special guest Dr. Meena Thakur — entomologist with NSW DPIRD and Congress panellist. 
Dr Thakur shares the latest in citrus pest research, from effective gall wasp management to strategies for preventing Huanglongbing (HLB disease, also known as citrus greening disease). Discover what industry and government are doing together to keep Australia’s citrus orchards safe from serious pest incursions. 
🍊 Like, subscribe, and leave a review to get the most out of every episode! 🌐 Learn more at citrusaustralia.com.au 
#CitrusAustralia #TheFullBottle #PestControl #Huanglongbing #CitrusGreening #GallWasp #CitrusIndustry #Entomology #Podcast 

Episode 31: Innovations

In this episode of The Full Bottle, Sarah and Rachel sit down with Hort Innovation’s Industry Communications Manager Sharon Watt to discuss the important work she undertakes on behalf of the leading research and development giant. With a background in journalism and agriculture, Sharon has extensive regional and rural experience including senior news and editorial roles with leading Australian newspapers. She has also helped navigate the complexities of Australia-China trade with top research and development corporations.  
For more information on Hort Innovation, visit www.horticulture.com.au. 
Squeeze the most out of each episode by liking, subscribing and reviewing, or visit our website at citrusaustralia.com.au. 

Episode 30: Garden Gate

Welcome to 2025! It’s a new year and a new episode - with Sarah and Rachel chatting with our Citrus Australia colleague, Jacqui Mitchell. From helping folks at events to connecting rural growers to our city-living friends and to bringing biosecurity to the masses, Jacqui is here to talk all about her role as Citrus Australia’s Urban Biosecurity Coordinator. 
For more information on CitrusWatch, visit www.citrusaustralia.com.au/citruswatch or follow @citruswatchprogram on Instagram.  
To download the MyPestGuideReporter app, visit www.agric.wa.gov.au/apps/mypestguide-reporter. 
Squeeze the most out of each episode by liking, subscribing and reviewing, or visit our website at citrusaustralia.com.au. 

Episode 29: Golden Hours

It’s the final episode of 2024, summer is on the way and Sarah and Rachel are looking back. After our first few months at Citrus Australia, we are reflecting on everything we’ve learnt so far, and what we’re looking forward to over the coming months – including our 2025 Australian Citrus Congress. 
Squeeze the most out of each episode by liking, subscribing and reviewing, or visit our website at citrusaustralia.com.au. 
This podcast contains portions of an interview from ABC Drive Melbourne with Ali Moore. 

Episode 28: Days with David

Welcome back to The Full Bottle! Today, Sarah and Rachel are chatting to our General Manager of Market Development, David Daniels, about his long tenure at Citrus Australia – how things have changed, how regulations have affected growers and businesses, and how critical market access is to a thriving citrus industry. 
Squeeze the most out of each episode by liking, subscribing and reviewing, or visit our website at citrusaustralia.com.au. 
 

Episode 27: Forums & New Faces

Meet the new voices of The Full Bottle! Join Sarah Porter as she introduces our new co-host and Citrus Australia Communications Officer, Rachel Hall! Today, we’re chatting with Citrus Australia’s CEO Nathan Hancock about our annual forums and the benefit our Aussie citrus growers can gain from attending. 
Squeeze the most out of each episode by liking, subscribing and reviewing, or visit our website at citrusaustralia.com.au. 

Episode 26: Keeping ahead of the curve (with CEO Nathan Hancock)

***Correction: The Riverland Regional Forum will be held on Thursday, 19 September, not 18 September as mentioned in this episode.***
Welcome back to your go-to-podcast for all things citrus. Tune in with your hosts Matt and Sarah as they unpack the latest news in the Australian citrus industry. Joining them on this month’s episode is Citrus Australia CEO, Nathan Hancock. Nathan provides updates on national production and exports, and outlines next year’s Australian Citrus Congress, being held in Griffith from 18-20 March 2025.
Squeeze the most out of each episode by liking, subscribing and reviewing.
 
Learn more about the 2025 Australian Citrus Congress: https://citrusaustralia.com.au/acc2025/
Register your interest in being part of the 2025 Australian Citrus Congress: office@citrusaustralia.com.au