AU: Hazelnut Industry Conference to be held in Victoria, Oct. 12th

Hazelnut growers from across Australia’s Southern States will assemble in Myrtleford, Ovens Valley, in North-eastern Victoria for the industry’s 2013 Annual Conference on Saturday October 12.

President of Hazelnut Growers of Australia, Vanessa Cox, said the conference provides opportunity for new and existing growers to learn latest industry trends, and share experience. Ms Cox said hazelnuts are being successfully grown in many regions of South-eastern Australia with suitable cold winters and new plantings exist in South and West Australia. She said the peak industry body, Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc (HGA) was regularly contacted by overseas and local nut businesses seeking supply of fresh Australian grown hazelnut – both in -shell and kernel.

Ms Cox said that despite increased plantings during the past decade HGA projected that production from the area planted would fall short of future demand. “The conference and hazelnut farm walks on Sunday provide vital information for development of the Australian industry and for individual growers – both established and new,” said Ms Cox.

Topics include physical and financial aspects of planning and establishing a new orchard, crop and food safety, social media and nut marketing, chemicals permitted for hazelnut growing – including organic systems; and Biosecurity. Ms Cox said the industry had much to learn from the Chestnut industry’s experience of finding Chestnut Blight in the Ovens Valley and resulting Bio-Security response.

Farm visits include two of the oldest hazelnut orchards in Australia at Porepunkah and Ovens, light and canopy management, machinery and pruning, as well as new orchards at Stanley. HGA Annual Conference has been funded by HAL using voluntary contributions from industry and matched funds from the Australian Government.

Further details and the registration form can be found at www.hazelnuts.org.au ; email: hazelnuts@hwy.com.au or phone 02 6372 3224.

For more information:
Melissa Smith, External Communications Manager
Horticulture Australia Limited
Tel: : 02 8295 2340
Fax: 02 8295 2399
Email: melissa.smith@horticulture.com.au

Publication date: Mon 23 Sep 2013