The burgeoning Australian macadamia industry has identified a major opportunity for macadamia growers to improve production and orchard health to increase profitability and help meet growing global demand.
Strong prices and yields, a sustained period of demand outstripping supply, growth in Asian markets and the impact of the free trade agreements with Japan, Korea and China, have all combined to present
Australian macadamia growers with an enviable opportunity for further growth.
Key industry representatives and the nation’s best scientific researchers have gathered together in Brisbane this week to discuss ideas, technology, innovation and the latest breakthroughs, with the key topic being the launch of the industry’s brand new ‘Integrated Orchard Nutrition (ION)’ program.
The ION program is a new concept developed after extensive consultation with growers, industry consultants, agronomists and processors, and fine-tuned via a levy-funded research project run by QLD Department of Agriculture & Fisheries (QDAF) soil scientist Dr. Tim Smith and the University of Queensland’s Dr. Bernhard Wehr.
Information and research set to be unveiled today, 9th June, by Dr. Smith and Dr. Wehr will reap big dividends for the Australian macadamia industry, which is aiming to raise productivity from approximately 2.4 tonnes per hectare to 3.5 tonnes per hectare over the next two years (and potentially add an additional 15,000 tonnes to the crop, valued at around $65million).
The ION program, which is one of a number of productivity initiatives being rolled out by the industry, will be promoted to Aussie macadamia growers in the coming weeks and months.
“Our 2015 investigative committee decided that big gains in production and orchard health will result from paying attention to orchard nutrition through an integrated orchard nutrition program,” says the macadamia industry’s productivity development manager Robbie Commens.
“The priority for the industry now is to transfer new knowledge and updates to our industry consultants, who liaise daily with Australia’s 650+ macadamia growers. And then it’s about ensuring growers are ready to go with their nutrition schedule in July.”
Dr. Smith said the information he and Dr. Wehr will present will result in an increased awareness and understanding about the processes of soil chemistry, soil processes and plant nutrition.
“Our aim is to arm industry consultants with a greater knowledge of how the nutrients interact in both the soil and the plant and how they can explain to their growers the processes that are occurring and why they need to implement certain practices to better manage their nutrition and tree yield.
“We’ll be looking at recommendations for standard soil and foliar sampling, explaining the need for those changes and how it will improve growers’ nutrient management decisions. It’s about lifting the industry’s nutrient management standards.”
Mr. Commens said the new program represented another big step forward for the Australian industry which is the world leader in macadamia production and innovation, largely due to its strong investment in research & development and marketing, made possible by the grower levy and Horticulture Innovation Australia.
“Projects like the ones being showcased in Brisbane this week help to create a strong and sustainable future for not only our industry but also for the communities in which we operate.”
The Australian macadamia industry meeting in Brisbane and the research projects described in this release have been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the macadamia industry levy and funds from the Australian Government.
The meeting is proudly sponsored by Agrichem.
Event details
What: Australian macadamia industry consultants meeting
When: Wed and Thur 8-9 June 2016
Where: Brisbane International Virginia - Corner of Zilmere & Sandgate Roads, Boondall Qld
For more information:
Nyree Epplett
Australian Macadamia Society
Mob: 0434 261 070
Tel: 1800 262 426 (Aust)
Tel: +61 2 6622 4933