Vol 11 Issue 2 - Spring 2011

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Almond Board of Australia In A Nutshell August 2011

www.australianalmonds.com.au Australian Almonds

Contents

CEO Update - Ross Skinner

Almond Board of Australia Inc.

P + 61 8 8582 2055 F + 61 8 8582 3503

ABN 31 709 079 099

E admin@australianalmonds.com.au W www.australianalmonds.com.au

9 William Street, PO Box 2246 Berri South Australia 5343

Marketing Matters

Educating Health Professionals

Board Members Brendan Sidhu Chairman & Grower Representative - Riverland

Our Activities - January to July

Keeping Industry Informed

Neale Bennett Deputy Chair & Grower Representative - Sunraysia Domenic Cavallaro Grower Representative - Adelaide Tony Spiers Grower Representative - Riverland Denis Dinicola Grower Representative - Riverina

Tim Orr Grower Representative - Sunraysia

2011 Australian Almond Netball Program

Australian Almonds Overseas

Grant Birrell Marketing Representative Tim Millen Marketing Representative Brenton Woolston Marketing Representative

‘Unlocking the Future’ Conference Feature

Preliminary Conference Program

Featured Speakers

Conference Sponsors & Exhibitors

In The Orchard - Brett Rosenzweig

Authorities destroy bee hive on ship in Darwin

Australian Plague Locust Update

Circulation: With a circulation of more than 400 and readership of over 1300 the ‘In A Nutshell’ newsletter is available to the general public and interested parties via the Almond Board of Australian website www.australianalmonds.com.au, and high quality printed copies distributed to: Almond Board of Australia members, industry contacts within Australia and overseas, nut producing, distributing and marketing companies.

R&D Roundup - Ben Brown

Feature Recipe

Membership - Why Become a Member?

publication does not necessarily reflect the views

In a Nutshell The Almond Board of Australia is the peak industry body representing the interest of almond growers, processors and marketers in Australia in matters of national importance including regulation, legislation, marketing research and development. In a Nutshell is published quarterly by the ABA to bring news to all industry contacts and members. Membership The Almond Board of Australia offers membership to growers, processors, marketers and interested parties. Please contact the Almond Board of Australia for current membership fees and inclusions.

of the Almond Board of Australia and unless otherwise specified, no products and/or services are endorsed by this organisation. Editor Jo Ireland Communications Coordinator Almond Board of Australia 9 William Street, PO Box 2246 BERRI SA 5343

As a member you have a direct say about the future of the industry and direct access to our organisation.

The ABA has undertaken industry-wide consultation to develop an Industry Strategic Plan which establishes funding priorities for the industry’s R&D and marketing programs.

We aim to support our rapidly increasing industry by encouraging effective communication and co-operation between industry members.

t +61 8 8582 2055 f +61 8 8582 3503

The ABA aims to keep members informed through a range of activities including: • Presentation of the Annual Almond Industry Conference. • Distribution of the ABA’s quarterly newsletter “In a Nutshell” • Regular field days and regional meetings • Technical articles and ABA news in the “Australian Nutgrower” Journal • Collection and distribution of industry statistics • Access to regularly updated information via the ABA website To join the ABA please visit our website and download a membership form, or contact our office on 08 8582 2055 or email admin@australianalmonds.com.au

e jireland@australianalmonds.com.au w www.australianalmonds.com.au

Some of these projects were facilitated by HAL in partnership with the Almond Board of Australia. They were funded by the R&D levy and/or voluntary contributions from industry. The Australian Government provides matched funding for all HAL’s R&D activities.

Advertising/Editorial The Almond Board of Australia

acknowledges contributions made by private enterprise through placement of advertisements in this publication. Any advertising and/or editorial supplied to this

Ross Skinner CEO Update

The 2010-11 growing season provided many Murray Valley horticultural enterprises with one of their most challenging in years. Floods, inundating and persistent rains combined with a mild summer provided less than ideal conditions for the control of weeds, pests and diseases and a difficult harvest period. It was another reminder that the Riverland, Sunraysia and MIA regions are not true Mediterranean climates. The ABA recently conducted a workshop in Adelaide to consider practices that could reduce the risk posed by wet harvest periods and provide efficiency gains and quality improvements even during good years.

To allow change to occur there needs to be a stimulus to move, a direction to go and the resources to make it happen. The past few years have certainly provided a stimulus and there appears to be significant rewards available but in recent years the high cost of inputs, lower than expected yields and reduced prices have diminished the financial capacity of enterprises to fund new developments. It is hoped that the promise of the large bloom will

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of the ABA staff who recently went through their annual performance reviews. This process highlighted their many skills, experience and the valued attributes they bring to the ABA on a daily basis to help achieve our goals of reducing production costs and risk, increasing product value, and supporting the sales of increased volumes of product. The fourth ABA goal is to provide a good operating environment for industry members by addressing whole of industry issues with various levels of government and in the broader community. In concluding, it is great to see the optimism that the promise of a bountiful crop brings, but we need to be mindful that recently we have not been able to offer the market the high quality product that was providing a significant point of difference with other world producers.

be realised with the sound management of orchards in the coming months enabling industry participants to reap the rewards of a large harvest and be in a position to invest in new improved production and processing technologies. Ivan Shaw, spoke at the workshop on the system he pioneered for the Australian dried grape industry. His ‘Shaw Trellis System’ is recognised as world’s best practice, and his primary principle is to develop a

The attendance of 34 invited participants who willingly gave up their time to both travel and contribute to the workshop was a great effort. It speaks highly of the leadership of the Australian almond industry that nearly all those invited from the ranks of the ABA Board marketing Committees along with selected members of the industry attended. It was a credit to everyone participating that they were able to put the current and familiar practices to one side in an effort to look to the possibilities of the future. Desirable and the plant improvement, production, processing and

system that maximises the long term yields of the plant and to build the equipment to suit the system - rather than compromise the potential of the system due to available machinery.

The coming year will provide our marketers with the challenge to move an Australian crop (67,000 tonnes) that has potential to be 67% larger than our biggest ever annual production (40,000 tonnes). The US is on its way to producing a record crop that will also provide a challenge for them to clear. This production season is one where each industry participant needs to be mindful of their part in the plan to re- establish the Australian almond as a quality product and in well supplied markets.

goals have been set, strategies will be prepared and it is hoped those involved in the workshop will continue to drive this program forward.

Marketing Matters

Educating Health Professionals

Our Activities January - July January 27th & 28th Green Grocer Pilot - New Year, New Heart: Sydney

over 2000 delegates and distributed over 3000 filled almond tins, and have received over 700 requests from health professionals for display cartons and tins for them to distribute to their clients and patients. During these conferences, we utilized an updated nutritional brochure highlighting the key health attributes of almonds. This brochure communicates the scientific studies into the role of almonds in lowering LDL cholesterol and in assisting with the management of diabetes. It also features a ‘call to action’ prompting people to eat almonds and a piece of fruit as an afternoon snack. New brochures featuring imagery ‘healthy almond oil’ replacing fat, as a core component of almonds’ health matrix were also introduced and distributed.

Our ‘Educating Health Professionals’ program has evolved during the past six months to include almonds as an ideal sports recovery snack. In conjunction with Sports Dietitians Australia the ABA has developed a fact sheet outlining the role of almonds as a sports recovery snack (shown below) and allows the Australian almond industry to work in conjunction with the Australian banana and citrus industries. This ‘recovery snack’ role compliments existing attitudes towards bananas for pre-game nutrition and oranges for half-time energy snacks. During the first half of 2011 the ABA continued to participate in the key health professional conferences such as the National Heart Foundation Conference, GPCE Sydney, and the annual DAA Conference. As a result of these conferences, we engaged with

February

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March

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Australian Almonds

1st to 3rd Good Food & Wine Show: Sydney

Two new brochures have been introduced at events during the first half of 2011 - ‘Almond Oil’ (top) and ‘The Ultimate Recovery Snack’ (bottom)

Keeping industry informed

Australian Almond Drivers The Australian Almonds Driver Program was launched in Sydney at the Australian Nut Conference during March 2011. This program is a strategic framework for profitable sales growth. Twenty-five distributors, marketers and retailers signed- up to become ‘Almond Drivers’ during the Australian Nut Conference. The objective of this program is to grow almond sales by integrating the latest consumer and health information with a powerful calendar of promotions. It looks to involve all members of our supply chain as key partners: retailers, marketers, wholesalers, distributors, processors and growers. This program enables us to share our Nielsen Homescan research reports which will help us measure consumer behaviour; as well as updates from Datamonitor showing the latest products launched around the world. As part of the Homescan contract, additional analysis has been undertaken with a focus on: • understanding purchase patterns and frequency of households who buy almonds; and • understanding the nut purchase behavior of households who do not buy almonds. A summary of the insights from this research will be available in the Driver section of our website. Overall, the experience of this first period of the Almond Driver Program has identified the need for greater personal communication with our key partners and also the need to gain involvement from our retailers, and this will be a key focus of the program in the 2011-12 year. More information on the Almond Driver program is located on the home page of the ‘Buying’ section of the Australian almonds website www.australianalmonds. com.au/trade. Point Of Sale The Driver Program also facilitates the distribution of Point of Sale to our partners who are looking to leverage sales by utilising our seasonal promotions. We have a range of posters and shelf wobblers available for our four major promotions - New Year - New Heart, Blossom, New Season and Christmas. Promotional Point of Sale items can be ordered by contacting the ABA Office, or by downloading the interactive form on the Australian Almonds Driver Program pages

of the website. If you do not have access to this portal, and would like to arrange a username and password, please contact Jo Ireland our Communications Manager, on +61 8 8582 2055 Success & Opportunities The success of these promotions can be reviewed through the Nielsen Homescan research component of the Driver Program. One opportunity that has been highlighted by these reports lies in the green grocer segment. A merchandising trial was conducted across 60 green grocers in Sydney during the 2011 New Year, New Heart promotion. The results indicated that while significant retail space in Green Grocers is devoted to the entire dried fruit and nut market, there is a potential to create a more impactful almond category presence. Direct to Consumer During the first half of this year, advertising has been placed for the New Year, New Heart and New Season promotions within BBC Good Food, Superfoods and Good Taste magazines. Another key element of our consumer marketing during 2011 has been involvement at the Melbourne and Sydney Good Food and Wine Shows. The emphasis during this year’s shows revolved around oven-roasted almonds, and at least a third of visitors to our stand had not tasted oven roasted almonds before and indicated a high level of satisfaction, frequently asking where they can be purchased.

NEW YEAR NEW HEART

With a handful of almonds every day.

Australian Almonds www.australianalmonds.com.au

AUSTRALIAN ALMONDS IN BLOSSOM

www.australianalmonds.com.au Australian Almonds

NEW SEASON’S ALMONDS TASTE AS GOOD AS THEY LOOK

It wouldn’t be Christmas without Almonds.

Australian Almonds www.australianalmonds.com.au

CERTTM used under licence.

Australian Almonds www.australianalmonds.com.au

Australian Almond Point of Sale Calendar of Promotions from top to bottom: New Year - New Heart, Australian Almonds in Blossom, New Season’s Almonds & Christmas.

Australian Almonds Overseas

2011 Australian Almond Netball Program In 2010 the Australian Almond Netball Program was launched with a Facebook campaign inviting people to enter a competition to win a $1000 grant for their netball club. With over 500 entries received 5 clubs were selected from across Australia as the winning entries. In 2011 a two pronged campaign was launched during May, and concludes in August, the two elements of this year’s promotion include: Fundraising Pack giveaway Running throughout May and June, the key objective of this component of the program was to ensure that eating almonds as a healthy snack alternative is at the forefront of people’s minds. It invited people to enter a competition to provide their club with an opportunity to win one of 50 fundraising packs containing Australian almond snack tins. This promotion was once again supported by advertising on Facebook, and received over 100 entries. The winners of our 50 fundraising packs were selected and announced in early June, allowing time for the product to be delivered to the clubs and for the clubs to sell the snack tins prior to the end of the season. Entrants to the competition were also asked to ‘Like’ and upload photos of their club to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ AustralianAlmonds) $1000 Club Grants Once again the club grant program consisting of five $1000 grants has been running from June 1, ending on August 31. Five winners will be announced in early September and results will be posted on the ABA website at www.australianalmonds.com.au/ netball/winners

Representatives from Almondco, Nut Producers Australia, Olam International, Select Harvests and the Almond Board of Australia met with a wide range of the region’s traders and over the duration of the Expo, contact with over 270 visiting traders indicated that they would like to establish ongoing communication with the Australian almond industry. Hofex, Hong Kong Hofex is a major food fair for the Asian region. The 2011 Hofex Fair held during May in Hong Kong attracted over 33,000 trade visitors and more than 1800 participating exhibitors. There were 48 participating countries and regions exhibiting at the Show. The Australian exhibit at Hofex was consistent in ‘look and feel’ to Gulfoods, with approximately 50 traders registering their interest in establishing communication with our industry. Joint presentation to the FSSAI In June, the ABA and Almond Board of California (ABC) made a joint presentation to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This meeting, chaired by Mr Gaur, CEO of FSSAI, considered proposed standards.

During the past six months, four major export marketing activities have been conducted: • Indian- Australian networking event, Delhi (February); • Exhibition at Gulfoods Expo, Dubai (February); • Exhibition at Hofex Expo, Hong Kong (May); and a • Joint presentation with the Almond Baord of California to the Food Safety and Standards Agency of India (FSSAI) (June) Gulfoods Expo, Dubai From February 27th to March 2nd, the Australian almond industry exhibited at Gulfoods in Dubai. Gulfoods has become the premier international food fair for the region, hosting an incredible 3,800 exhibitors, 81 international pavilions, and welcomes over 55,000 buyers from 152 countries reaching beyond the Middle East to North Africa and South Asia. Building on participation in the last two Gulfood expos, the Australian almond industry created an effective presence to highlight its global position as a rapidly growing almond producer.

Pictured above is the Australian Almond’s Exhibition Stands at Gulfood & Hofex trade fairs 2011

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Unlocking The Future

13th Australian Almond Conference 26th - 28th October 2011

The Almond Board of Australia is pleased to present the 13th Annual Australian Almond Conference, from 26th to 28th October 2011 in Victor Harbor, South Australia. Hosted by the ABA in partnership with HAL, this event supports the creation of an environment to facilitate development and deployment of knowledge to industry. A ‘must attend’ event on the annual industry calendar, this conference is the largest gathering of almond industry representatives in Australia. It brings together over 200 Australian and international delegates with participants encompassing the entire supply chain, from growers to processors, marketers, researchers, industry suppliers and researchers. The Conference will be focussed on providing up-to-date information about the current state of the Australian almond industry and highlighting its commercial and marketing strengths. Conference highlights will include: • A fabulous and unique opportunity to connect with business and industry contacts in a relaxed professional environment. • An engaging and informative program with two days of presentations and including many networking opportunities. • Topics including consumer and retail trends, outlook for Australian and global almond production, latest research, promotion and marketing programs and more. • Trade show displaying latest products and services. Earlybird registration closes on Monday, September 26th, so register now and save! To register go to: www.australianalmonds.com.au/industry/conference_2011 Due to overwhelming support from past sponsors and exhibitors, only limited sponsorship opportunities remain. For further information about registration or sponsorship, please contact Jo Ireland - Communications Manager at the ABA office or email: jireland@australianalmonds.com.au

Social Program Social Golf Day 26th October

Proudly sponsored by

Enjoy a memorable day of golf teeing off at 11am with fellow delegates in an ambrose style competition at the beautiful McCracken Golf Club. This course is a championship 18 hole links/lakes style course, boasting spectacular views of the Hindmarsh Valley and beyond. Designed by Tony Cashmore, the International Championship standard course, boasts 74 bunkers and 14 lakes to give a challenging course layout.

Welcome Reception 26th October

Proudly sponsored by

An invitation is extended to all delegates to attend the Welcome Reception to be held in the Grand Function room of the Victor Harbor, overlooking the beautiful Hindmarsh Valley wine region. Our Welcome Reception Event has become well known as a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the company of your fellow Conference delegates.

Conference Dinner 27th October Don't miss the Annual Conference Dinner! This social evening is a chance to network with other conference delegates in a relaxed atmosphere. Dinner tickets are included with full registration prices, and extra tickets are also available. Be sure to attend the Conference dinner - it will be an evening to remember!

Proudly sponsored by

Australian Almond Conference 2011 Preliminary Program

Wednesday, 26th October 10.00am Pre Conference Registration

Friday, 28th October 8.00am Registration & Trade Exhibition

Producing a Better Bottom Line

11.00am Social Golf Day & 19th Hole

The Murray Darling Basin Plan & its Impact on Almond Production Craig Knowles /Gavin McMahon (invited)

7.00pm Welcome Reception Thursday, 27th October 8.00am AGM Sign In & Trade Exhibitions

9.00am

9.25am Using Water Wisely

Mark O’Connell - Dept Primary Industries Victoria

9.50am Lessons Learnt from the 2010/11 Almond Season Brett Rosenzweig - Almond Board of Australia

9.00am Almond Board of Australia AGM

10.15am Key Findings - What did we learn from the CT Trial? Ben Brown - Almond Board of Australia

10.00am Morning Tea, Trade Exhibition & Registration

10.30am Morning Tea & Trade Exhibition

HAL Annual Levy Payers’ Meeting

Producing a Better Bottom Line (cont)

10.30am Official Conference Opening

11.00am Almond Production Research in the US Robert Curtis - Almond Board of California

11.10am Annual Levy Payers’ Meeting

Corey Fitzpatrick - Horticulture Australia

11.25am Unlocking the Future - Advanced Production Systems Grower Panel Session

11.20am R&D Environment for Horticulture Warwick Scherf - Horticulture Australia

12.15pm Lunch & Trade Exhibition

11.45am Implementing the Strategic Investment Plan Priorities Greg Buchanan - Almond Industry Advisory Committee

Demand Holds the Key

12.10pm DPI VIC - Lead agency for Almond R&D Phil Haines - Dept Primary Industries Victoria

1.15pm The Australian Almond Market Laurence Van Driel - Select Harvests

12.30pm Lunch & Trade Exhibition

1.35pm Market Drivers & Industry Promotion in 2011/12 Joseph Ebbage - Almond Board of Australia

Market Health Report

1.50pm Information is Power

Jo Ireland - Almond Board of Australia

1.30pm Economic Climate TBA

2.00pm INC, Market Access Issues & Market Comparisons TBA

2.25pm International Markets - A Californian Perspective Richard Waycott - Almond Board of California

2.50pm International Markets - An Australian Perspective Nigel Carey - Nut Producers Australia

3.15pm Afternoon Tea & Trade Exhibition

Meeting Requirements

3.45pm 2011 Phil Watters Award Presentation Neale Bennett - Almond Board of Australia

4.00pm What are retailers looking for in Almonds? Stavroula Drakos - Category Business Manager

4.20pm Food Safety - Supply Chain Issues

David Madge - Dept of Primary Industries VIC

4.40pm Unlocking the Future - Post Harvest Systems Prof John Fielke - University of SA

5.00pm Day Close

6.30pm Pre Dinner Exhibition Canapes

Australian Almond Conference Dinner Including the Almond Industry Hall of Fame Induction Entertainment by Speed Painter - Brad Blaze

7.00pm

Australian Almond Conference Proudly Supported by

The Conference Organisers reserve the right to amend this program at any time, please visit www.australianalmonds.com.au/industry/conference_2011 for updated program details

Keynote Speakers

Richard Waycott President & CEO, Almond Board of California

Mark O’Connell

Research Scientist, DPI VIC

The Almond Board of California’s President and CEO, Richard Waycott, joined the organisation in 2002. Mr Waycott has over 25 years experience in the food and agri-business industries, including

several years in Brazil working with the grain and oil seeds products divisions of Cargill. He was also based in Venezuela for a number of years working in the food processing and consumer products industries. Mr Waycott’s experience compliments the other professionals at the ABC by bringing an understanding of commercial operations and global opportunities to the Board’s programs and activities. During his tenure at the ABC, strategic planning and execution have been hallmarks of the ABC’s contributions to the phenomenal growth of the California almond industry. Trilingual in English, Spanish and Portuguese, Mr Waycott has a Masters in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) in Glendale, Arizona, and a Bachelor degree in International Marketing from New York University.

Mark has over 22 years of field research experience, resulting in 14 published scientific papers in the study of crop production and water use, in both dryland and irrigated cropping systems. Mark is currently undertaking a PhD in ‘Satellite based yield - water use relationships of perennial horticultural crops’.

Bob Curtis Associate Director, Agricultural Affairs, Almond Board of California Bob administers the Almond Board of California (ABC) production research program. The ABC funds research in horticulture,

Associate Prof John Fielke University of SA Associate Professor John Fielke is a researcher with the Barbara Hardy Institute and Associate Head, Teaching and Learning in the School of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes campus. John has a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (SAIT), Master of Engineering Science in agricultural engineering (University of Melbourne) and a Doctor of Philosophy in soil science (University of Adelaide). His work has resulted in selection of steels and designs for tillage tools,108 new models of tillage and seeding equipment for Horwood Bagshaw and improved dried grape processing factories throughout Australia. John has received $7.4 million in grants and undertaken 42 design consultancies and 13 expert witness reports on machine failures. John currently teaches engineering drawing, CAD/CAM and mechanical design plus he supervises 5 PhD candidates. In 2011 John was contracted by the ABA to undertake a review of the Australian almond processing industry.

entomology, plant pathology and nematology, aflatoxin field studies, integrated pest management and pollination. He works to assure field implementation of research findings and hence is involved in issues which impact almond production and technology transfer. As such, Bob interacts closely with the University of California (UC) and other universities, the US Department of Agriculture, UC Cooperative Extension, ag organizations and state agencies. Bob rejoined the Almond Board in 2006, where he began his career 35 years ago. He has also worked for the California Strawberry Advisory Board and Campbell Soup Company in the areas of technical and research program administration and implementation. Bob received his masters (thesis research producing peer reviewed publications) in agricultural entomology from UC Riverside and a bachelors (cum laude) in zoology from UC Los Angeles.

Stavroula Drakos Category Business Manager Stavroula Drakos has spent the past 10 years with Coles

Supermarkets and for much of this time she has been involved with the Nut industry through various roles. Her initial foray with nuts was through the Snack Foods and Cooking Needs segments, where she was involved in the quality management of Private Label lines. She has visited numerous nut processing facilities in Australia, South Africa & Europe, gaining valuable insights in production quality and processing, observing “best in class” techniques. She completed a Graduate Certificate in Marketing in 2006, and in the following year, Stavroula moved into a Customer Planning Manager role for Health Foods. Packaged Nuts were a significant contributor to this category and Stavroula was able to gain meaningful insights in consumer purchase behaviour.

The Almond Board of Australia gratefully acknowledges 2011 Almond conference sponsors Platinum Silver Dinner Golf Welcome Bronze Exhibitors Omega Orchards Supporting Sponsors

Brett Rosenzweig - Industry Development Officer In The Orchard

levels which may still be high from the 2011 summer rains, particularly in poor drainage or low lying areas of the orchard. Winter rainfall has been below average and may not have been adequate to maintain moisture levels in the upper part of the root zone where feeder roots will be active first. Dig a hole or check soil moisture monitoring equipment! • In areas where there have been tree losses due to flooding earlier in the year, consider making alterations to the irrigation system if you haven’t already done so to reduce the potential drainage impact. For sprinklers, consider blocking sprinklers off or temporarily reducing the jet size to reduce the sprinkler output. For drippers, consider blocking off individual drippers with clips or ‘cutting out’ the drip line of the affected area and replacing with non-emitting poly pipe. Replacement trees can be irrigated using button drippers until mature enough to revert back to the original dripper line. Pests • Monitor for Black Peach Aphid on flowers and emerging shoots. Any previously affected areas may be a problem again this year. • Monitor for European Earwigs which damage flowers and newly emerging shoot growth. Check underneath leaf matter or soil at the base of the tree trunk, underneath the drip hose at the end of the rows and tree guards of young trees. Any previously affected areas may be a problem again this year.

Spring is the busiest and most important time of the almond growing season. From the moment the buds begin to swell in late July until pit hardening in early / mid October, the orchard is abuzz with rapidly changing phenology. Careful observations and correct timing in the orchard now may bring beneficial results later at harvest time. Whilst the kernel has not yet begun to develop prior to pit hardening, the potential kernel size is determined and negatively influenced by any stresses on the tree. The following is a list of things that should be considered during spring: Foliar Sprays • Dormant oil sprays should have been completed. • Apply a boron foliar spray of Solubor (2.5 Kg/1000L) at late bud swell / early pink bud to assist fruit set. • Copper should be applied at early pink bud stage for bacterial and fungal protection. • Second boron foliar spray using boric acid (100g/1000L) can be applied mid to late bloom for improved fruit set. • Full bloom fungicide for Blossom Blight and Brown Rot, e.g. Iprodione. • Shuck fall fungicide using a registered group Y fungicide for Brown Rot and Rust, e.g. Mancozeb or Chlorothalonil. Irrigation • Pre –season irrigations should have been applied to ensure good soil moisture conditions prior to bud burst. Pay careful attention to sub soil moisture

• Keep an eye on Bryobia Mite (Brown Mite) during September. Juveniles generally hatch in early spring and an assessment of presence and damage is normally made within the first two weeks of September. This period will be an important part of your pest monitoring program and will determine whether action thresholds have been triggered and appropriate action is required. Orchard Hygiene • Orchard hygiene will be especially important this spring. Any ‘Mummies’ that have fallen off the tree or been removed by re-shaking, should be blown or swept into the mid row and mulched. This will help reduce the incidence of carob moth this coming season. • There are indications of a mice plague resurgence this spring, so keep monitoring and appropriate control program to maintain product quality. Baiting in the orchard of Tree Nuts is registered with Mouseoff™. Clean up any refuge sites around sheds and install bait stations accordingly. Don’t forget to check machinery that may lie idle for a few months for mice damage. Please contact your processor for further information on chemical control measures and residues. Fertigation • During the cooler months, it is better to fertigate using ammonium or nitrate based sources of nitrogen (e.g. ammonium nitrate, liquid ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium Side view of pressure gauge for testing nozzle pressures

Top view of pressure gauge for testing nozzle pressures

continued on page 14

Authorities destroy bee hive on ship in Darwin Harbour

In The Orchard Brett Rosenzweig -

very happy that everything went well,” he said. “We got a big lift like a cherry picker and an industrial vacuum cleaner and we smoked them to calm them down and I got the big vacuum cleaner and sucked them all up. “We lost probably about 20, but we went through what we had after we killed all the rest that were in the vacuum cleaner and we managed to find the queen, so that hive will no longer exist.”

A foreign bee hive has been discovered and removed from a shipping vessel in Darwin harbour. It’s believed the bees were a colony of Giant Honey Bees or Apis Dorsata and may have arrived on the ship from Dili in East Timor. Apiarist Andrew Shugg was called by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to identify the bees. He says he was extremely worried about the prospect of the foreign bees establishing themselves in Australia. “I was quite shocked actually...it’s not the sort of phone call I want to get, but I’m

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nitrate, MAP, etc). These will provide optimal uptake of nitrogen when the soil temperatures are below 18 o C measured at 10 to 20cm in depth. Do not use urea or UAN below 18 o C. When soil temperatures consistently exceed 18 o C, Urea and UAN fertilisers may be used. Remember to check with manufacturers for compatibility when mixing multiple products together. Soil temperature data is available from the following sites: South Australia - http://www.aws- samdbnrm.sa.gov.au/ Victoria - http://www.lmw.vic.gov.au/ LMWAWS.htm If you have any queries, please contact: Brett Rosenzweig at the Almond Board of Australia on 08 8582 2055 or 0429 837 137 or email brosenzweig@australianalmonds.com.au

Image and story courtesy ABC Rural Friday, 19/08/2011

Lindsay Point, Vic (via Renmark, SA)

• Quality Hulling & Shelling • Up to date, advanced, computerised equipment, using Satake electronic colour sorters • Computerised product tracking and recording • Catering for all producers, large and small For enquiries contact Mark Webber: Ph: 08 8595 8080 Mob: 0429 807 315 E-mail: mark@laragon.com.au

Australian Plague Locust Update

spring 2011 will be massively reduced compared to the situation in spring 2010. While there was egg-laying in various districts, the density and size of predicted hatching areas is not expected to cause landowners exceptional difficulties in most situations. No mass autumn migrations of locusts (from interstate) have occurred, but patches of localised activity can be expected in agricultural areas where locusts were present during autumn. Locust patches were reported from a wide range of agricultural areas this autumn ranging from Naracoorte in the South East to Ceduna in the Far West, but were generally small in size and/or low in density compared with 2010. Locust numbers in most cropping areas are expected to be within the normal capacity of landholders to manage through targeted ground spraying or spot spraying in spring. A small, highly

Following the major Australian plague locust outbreak that occurred in South Australia, Victoria and other Australian states in 2010 and early 2011, locust numbers have returned to near normal levels in most areas. Landholders mounted a tremendous response to the emergence of locust hoppers across large parts of these states in spring 2010, and continued their treatment efforts into the summer and autumn of 2011. This widespread treatment, coupled later in the season with natural factors, has resulted in a dramatic fall in locust numbers. Locust activity has declined in all agricultural areas with the onset of winter. Surveys in recent months have indicated that the risk from locusts in

targeted aerial program may be required to control bands in some locations in the North of South Australia (Hawker –Orroroo–Burra). Biosecurity SA will continue to monitor these situations closely. Years of major plagues are rare, and are mainly influenced by particular weather conditions similar to those experienced in 2010, particularly in the home breeding areas in north-west New South Wales and south-west Queensland. More detailed information is available on the Australian Plague Locust Commission website ( www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant- health/locusts/current ) including advice on how to monitor your property for locusts, how to treat locust hoppers and what impact they may have on particular agricultural businesses.

Forecast Australian plague locust development 2011 Location - NSW Egg laying Hatching Mid-instar Fledging Cootamundra-Junee 15 March 1 October 15 October 6 November Wagga-Lockhart 20 March 7 October 18 October 9 November Corowa-Oaklands* 10 March 9 October 22 October 12 November Location - Victoria Egg laying Hatching Mid-instar Fledging Yarrawonga-Echuca 20 March 15 October 28 October 16 November Bendigo-Boort 15 April 17 October 31 October 22 November Horsham-St Arnaud* 15 April 23 October 2 November 26 November Stawell-Ararat* 15 April 25 October 5 November 2 December Hamilton-Lake Bolac* 15 April 5 November 25 December 12 December Location - SA Egg laying Hatching Mid-instar Fledging Hawker-Orroroo* 15 April 4 September 22 September 15 October Port Augusta-Jamestown* 15 April 26 August 16 September 12 October Burra-Clare* 15 April 10 September 28 September 20 October Sedan-Mannum* 15 April 22 September 1 October 31 October Elliston-Kimba* 15 April 25 September 10 October 2 November Keith-Naracoorte* 15 April 16 October 1 November 20 December Location - QLD Egg laying Hatching Mid-instar Fledging Thargomindah-Quilpie 15 April 18 August 5 September 29 September

DPI staff collect locust hopper samples at Red Cliffs in 2010 Photo courtesy DPI VIC

Locust spraying in spring 2010 near Patchewollock Photo courtesy DPI VIC

Adult Australian plague locust

Dark spot on locust hindwing

Fifth instar Australian plague locust nymph

Cabrio ® for Almonds. It’s about blooming time.

Cabrio ® is a new fungicide option for almond growers: •Cabrio introduces the protectant properties of pyraclostrobin •Provides a Fungicide Group 11 for resistance management rotation

•Apply at flowering and repeat 10 to 14 days later •Use only two Cabrio sprays per season as part of a full control program Protects almonds early for later nut returns. www.nufarm.com.au

® Cabrio is a registered trademark of BASF used under license by Nufarm Australia Limited

Ben Brown - Industry Liaison Manager R&D Roundup

Study Tour Last edition it was mentioned a study tour was one of three activities to be undertaken to more accurately scope the opportunities in improving the current almond production system; in particular a one pass, collect and retrieve harvest system, a one pass, shake and collect harvest system, infield hulling, aeration/ dehydration of harvested product, and primary and secondary processing. Below are some of the highlights to come out of the trip. One pass, shake and catch harvest system Side by Side The shake and catch side by side units such as the Coe Orchard Equipment or OMC Catchall VII were the most adaptable machinery that is currently available for shaking and catching almond trees; however, there are several challenges involved such as windfalls, tree architecture and row access. Nevertheless, these types of units have been used in both Australian and Californian almond orchards. Ben Haslett from Haslett Harvesting has had experience in using the side by side units in Australian almond orchards and provided the following summary at the recent Advanced Production Systems Workshop: Advantages : • Product doesn’t touch ground and a plus for pest, disease and moisture management. • Product is separated from moist leaves. • Low dust and orchard erosion. • Less machine hours per hectare than traditional method. • Increases chance of harvesting a premium product. • Less equipment, and therefore; capital, maintenance and labour units. • Cheaper on a per tree basis if no windfall retrieval.

• If windfalls are harvested separately, they can be treated and processed separately due to the higher food safety risk. Disadvantages: • Potential to knock off other varieties with machinery depending on row width. • Harvesting of windfalls still need to be ground harvested if significant numbers occur. • To avoid windfall losses may need to harvest when the moisture % is a little higher than traditional, and therefore need to store and manage moisture levels. • More difficult to shake trees with angled trunks. • A 1 metre trunk height is preferable (not essential) to facilitate good trunk seal thereby maximising fruit/nut capture. Real-life Experience and Costings: • Side by side unit operated at an average of 200 trees per hour, so in 10 hours you can completely harvest (shake and collect) 7Ha per day of Nonpareil. • Machines were operated at 20hrs per day, 7 days per week for five seasons.

• In practice windfalls weren’t a major issue, although future developments would look to harvest them. • Higher moisture percentages from earlier harvested fruit need to be managed. • Tree shape and trunk height is important for maximum nut retrieval. • Consider orchard spacing’s of at least 7m between rows and 4m between trees. • Some modification of machinery to suit almonds. • It cost approximately $2.50 per tree with the side by side units compared to $4.00 per tree with the traditional almond harvesting equipment, assuming 285 trees/ha. • New guidance technology could be incorporated to assist effectiveness and speed. Over the row The study tour visited Tenias, a family owned, agricultural and industrial machinery manufacturer located in Ejea de Los Caballeros, Zaragoza, Spain. The visit was to investigate the relatively recent development of their continuous moving, over the row almond harvester which shakes, de-hull’s Spanish hard shell varieties and collects product.

Coe Orchard Equipment Side by Side unit harvesting olives

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