Mundubbera Smart Berries farm preparing for biggest year yet

While local producers and residents may have had doubts initially about the longevity of the property, a recent expansion has seen the property now house almost 500,000 trees.

Farm manager Stewart ‘Blade’ McKenzie and his wife Julie have been busy testing different varieties, planting methods and even shade cloth options since the property was established in July 2013. 

The tree’s positive results to the dry, warm weather saw an extra 20 hectares of irrigated shelter constructed on the property late last year.

The expansion will mean about 500 workers will be employed during the picking season, which begins in March, compared with 300 last year and about 1200 tonnes of fruit will leave the farm, 500 tonnes more than 2016.

Mr McKenzie said he didn’t know what to expect from the farm when he first took on the role. 

“I knew we would get something but I didn't know how much,” he said.

“It’s everything you could ever hope for because when you start off you don’t know what to expect,” Ms McKenzie added. 

There are 14 different blueberry varieties on the property to accommodate for different seasons and markets.

Due to soil problems from mangos and avocados that were planted in the old orchard, trees have been transferred to bags while an older section is set to be knocked down and replaced.

“We don’t know how long they last in the bag, that’s the thing. They might bear fruit too quick,” Mr McKenzie said.

“No matter what you do you can’t grow in all areas. We are going to have a couple of varieties to get the different season and market.

“Asia like the real sweet ones...and some people here like the tang taste to it.”

Smart Berries is a joint venture between Pascoes and the Fresh Produce Group (FPG).

FPG director Anthony Poiner said the company wasn’t trying to be the biggest but rather to produce the best blueberries they could.

“We are focused on making it work. We are learning every year,” he said.