2022 | Australian Macadamia Society | Manual/guide
Key messages this month include:
• Spotting bugs. Although shells have hardened, damage is still possible and will be worse after
rain.
• Leptocoris. More Leptocoris have been found in orchards over the last few weeks.
• Macadamia nut borer. MacTrix wasp releases should continue into January if you are in NSW or
Sth East QLD
• Husk spot and husk rot. January is a good time to assess the extent of loss.
• The wet season has arrived. Have a plan in place to deal with storm damage to the orchard and
infrastructure.
• Start preparing for pre-harvest clean-up. Orchard floor fanatics make more money.
• Ausmac2022 is just around the corner, register now.
2022 | Australian Macadamia Society | Fact Sheet
The orchard floor is the engine room of any orchard. One of the best options for improving long-term orchard floor productivity and sustainability is to improve ground coverage. This fact sheet outlines the benefits of ground cover and considerations for management. Each growing region is different and a tailored solution for your orchard and the resources you have available will be required.
Healthy ground cover provides physical and biological benefits, maximises natural crop inputs and improves resilience.
2022 | Australian Macadamia Society | Manual/guide
• Recovering from heavy rain and flooding – short and long term response.
• Assess Phytophthora root rot and trunk canker over the next few months following wet weather.
• Continue with a consistent nutrition program, which may need to be increased due to the wet weather.
• Orchard floor preparation, cleaning and checking for any contaminants are essential for food safety.
• Safety audits are a possibility WH&S QLD have informed the AMS that they intend to audit macadamia operations.
• There are major benefits to completing a crop loss assessment.
• Consider ways to reduce your harvest period and set up the orchard for the following season.
2022 | Smith A, Kojetin L, Bond D, Smit T, Searle C, Akinsanmi F, Griffin K, Cox J, Drenth A, Fuller C, Jenkins I, Price J, King K, Khan J, Maley G, Orford R | News Bulletin
A new AMS structure: how you will benefit
Why contributing to the Voluntary Marketing Fund is in your interest
Moving into success
Australian industry remains resilient in the face of challenging market conditions
Standards for high quality nursery stock
Diseases in macadamia nurseries
Air-filled porosity: what is it and why is it so important when producing a quality nursery tree?
Nursery grows with industry
Nursery Stock Specification part of best practice at MacQ
Preventive sweeper harvester maintenance – have you done yours?
The logistics of transporting macadamias
Growers and agencies work on coordinated approach to reducing pollution in Richmond River
Quality comes from culture
Working safely with wood chippers
MCT: Macadamia relatives
Macadamia ecophysiology enlightening management: Water management part B
Dealing with tree damage in the orchard
Horticultural oils in macadamia crop protection
Top 21 of 2021: The macadamia products that made their mark last year
New digital tool for growers to report severe weather damage
Stay alert – be on the lookout for macadamia seed weevil
Maintaining productivity at ‘Twisted M’ farm
2022 | - | Fact Sheet
Hort Innovation has informed the AMS that a permit which it holds for Trichlorfon (trade names Dipterex and Lepidex amongst others) has been renewed after APVMA review.
2022 | Australian Macadamia Society | Fact Sheet
The AMS has compiled the following tips for different aspects of the harvest process. In addition, grower comments, ideas and experiences from the December 2016 MacGroups were captured and incorporated into this information sheet.
2022 | Australian Macadamia Society | Fact Sheet
Planning, preparation, maintenance, flexibility and a clear understanding of what growers want to achieve are crucial ingredients of a successful harvesting strategy.
2022 | Australian Macadamia Society | Manual/guide
Key messages this month include:
• Following rain, late season monitoring may be required.
• Botryosphaeria is part of a group of fungi causing increasing damage in many tree species, including macadamia.
• With prolonged summer rain and/or a heavy crop, you may need to adjust your nutrition program.
• Pre-harvest clean-up ensures minimal old nut, sticks and debris remain on the orchard floor and dramatically improves harvest efficiency.
• Conduct pre-season audits for you processor in advance, allowing time for any corrections before harvest.
• Monitor for maturity. Husk colour is an on-farm indication of maturity but your processor will perform an accurate assessment.
• With harvest around the corner, ensure equipment is in good order. Preventative maintenance is the key to reducing breakdowns during the season.
2021 | Australian Macadamia Society | Fact Sheet
This fact sheet goes through some general principles and considerations for using drop sheets in macadamia orchards including materials, timing, placement, product, safety, equipment and identification.
2021 | Kojetin L | Presentation
At the MacGroups, Industry Development Manager Leoni Kojetin presented on the changing climate and the implications for managing your macadamia orchard. For most regions, hotter and more frequent hot days, as well as reduced rainfall with increased variability will mean changes to the crop cycle and current pest and disease risks.