Humans are told to slip, lean, tap, search, and slide, but for crops, finding shade is more important than ever.
The recent heatwave that hit the country’s south-east broke temperature records, with highs exceeding 49 degrees in New South Wales and South Australia.
But the extreme temperatures are raising questions in major fruit-growing regions about how to protect crops and businesses from the heat in the future.
Craig Byrne says the problem is the continued hot days on both sides of the heatwave. (ABC Riverland: Amelia Walters)
For persimmon and avocado grower Craig Byrne in South Australia’s Riverland, the infrastructure that spans his persimmon crops has been a lifeline.
“We have an overhead misting system that operates at 35 degrees to cool the avocado orchard, and we also have netting for persimmons,” he said.
“Unless these two systems are in place, I don’t think we can grow either crop successfully anymore in this climate.
Craig Byrne said it would be several days before the full extent of the avocado crop losses would be known. (ABC Riverland: Amelia Walters)
”I think [netting] It will be absolutely essential for many crops to survive the heat.”
Ms Byrne said some of her persimmon crops were affected by the heat, but they held up better than avocado crops that were not covered with netting.
Fruits exposed to the sun will quickly tan and turn brown. (ABC Riverland: Amelia Walters)
“If you don’t have a web that protects the fruit from the sun and extreme heat, there’s no way you’re going to lose the crop. It’s that simple,” he says.
How to pave the way for the future?
G2 Netting Group sales director Kyle Lamont said net sales had increased across Australia in recent years, particularly in areas such as the Riverland, Sunraysia and Goulburn Valley.
“Over the past five to 10 years, there has definitely been an increase in the prevalence and number of producers seeking protection,” he said.
Kyle Lamont says some net structures can reduce UV exposure by up to 20%. (Provided by: Kyle Lamont)
“In fact, there is no growing region that does not increase its web structure.
”[Growers] A more stable environment can be maintained under the net structure, and during the peak of a heat wave, it is probably 2-3 degrees cooler under the structure. ”
Lamont said export markets in countries such as China, South Korea and Japan only accept “natural” fruit, and stressed the need for sunscreen.
“People buy things with their eyes, and unfortunately that means… [growers] We must produce fruit without blemishes, and with such extreme challenges from Mother Nature, it is becoming increasingly difficult. ”
he said.
Mr Lamont said installing some net structures could cost around $60,000 per hectare.
The useful life of internet infrastructure is typically approximately 15 years. (ABC Riverland: Amelia Walters)
Lamont said he believes there is still a place for small-scale fruit growers who can’t afford netting, but it’s easy for corporate growers to install the infrastructure.
“Netting is an insurance policy and I believe most large or major producers will move in that direction.”
he said.
South Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions previously offered Riverland and Adelaide Hills growers grants of up to 50 per cent to install or repair netting infrastructure.
The funding stream closed on June 30, 2025.
Hot days continue and heat waves become longer
University of Adelaide environmental health researcher Penn Bee said heatwaves would continue to be a problem across the country.
“Heatwaves are increasing across Australia. [for example]heat waves have occurred in 2009, 2014, 2019, 2024 and now in 2026, there are many heat waves occurring,” he said.
Peng Bi said inland areas are more likely to be affected by heatwaves than coastal areas. (ABC News: Brant Cumming)
“These intense heatwaves have and will continue to impact society, including the productivity of agricultural regions.”
Professor Bi said climate change mitigation and adaptation will be important.
”[Heatwaves] “It is likely to affect the health of the population and, for example, affect rural areas and outdoor activities,” he said.
Craig Byrne said he would continue to grow fruit into the future despite the harsh conditions. (ABC Riverland: Amelia Walters)
Back in the state’s Riverland, Byrne said consolidating crop varieties could be the solution going forward.
“The question will be whether to start consolidating operations in terms of relocating some of the less productive avocado orchards and replanting them with persimmons so that they remain under netting,” he said.
“In an ideal situation, we would like to put the whole farm under netting, but avocados are too big to grow under netting.”