Macadamia growers share secrets of their success
24 Aug 2016
A new publication for macadamia growers featuring case studies of leading orchard managers and their successful practices is now available.
The Macadamia Integrated Orchard Management Case Studies booklet shares experiences of 10 macadamia growers in NSW and Queensland who have lifted their orchard productivity.
One of the authors, Jeremy Bright from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), said the case studies profile the benefits of three key integrated orchard management practices – canopy management, orchard floor management and drainage.
“Older macadamia orchards can suffer yield decline if the canopy grows over, the orchard floor is in full shade and tree roots become exposed,” said Mr Bright.
“Successful growers are seeing ‘red flags’ - key indicators that the orchard is or will be in decline - then implementing integrated orchard management approaches to overcome these issues.
“In the case study booklet, growers highlight the yield increases they have seen through practices such as limb removal, drainage management works, mulching and composting covering tree roots, profiling and grassing the orchard floor.”
Mr Bright said the case study booklet has been published by NSW DPI with funding from Horticulture Innovation Australia and Australian macadamia growers’ levy money.
“It is a companion publication to the popular Integrated Orchard Management Practice Guide which we have also updated with a 2nd edition for 2016 now available,” he said.
“Where the Guide details ‘what to do’ and ‘when to do it’, the case studies detail ‘how to do it’.
“The booklets together are designed to give all growers considering Integrated Orchard Management works the confidence to start planning.
“The books were initiated and developed by the Integrated Orchard Management Guide steering committee facilitated by the Australian Macadamia Society.”
Mr Bright said the macadamia industry was now worth more than $200 million each year.
“The growth in yield across the industry is partly due to younger trees coming into production and partly due to managers of older orchards tackling their canopy, orchard floor and drainage issues highlighted in these publications.”
The Integrated Orchard Management Practice Guide 2016 and the companion Case Studies 2016 booklet are free to macadamia growers. They are being distributed with the Macadamia Bulletin and are available through all macadamia processors and online.
For enquiries, contact Jeremy Bright at jeremy.bright@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Media contact: Anne Brook (02) 6763 1163 or 0477 358 305
