INNOVATION AND ADOPTION
The ABA industry development ( ID ) team works side-by-side with almond growers , stakeholders and value chain members to implement the Almond Industry Strategic Plan . Funded through Hort Innovation the program extends new knowledge and technologies generated by Australian and international research experts as well as drawing on the expertise within the grower community to establish best practice in an Australian context . Our goal is to ensure growers have access to the information they need , to make informed business decisions and adopt best management practice to remain sustainable and competitive in the global market .
Priority areas for delivery in 2022 / 23 were identified through the industry ’ s strategic plan and responding to industry need , for example : biosecurity response to Varroa destructor , maintaining healthy hives and pollination efficiency ; coping with adverse weather at harvest and on-farm stockpile management , hygiene strategies and on-farm control of orchard pests and diseases , understanding soil health and improving on-farm water use efficiency , grower and nursery agreements and standards , maintaining disease free planting material and evaluating new varieties and rootstocks ; food safety and quality and future proofing industry capacity .
Industry intelligence is continually gathered by the ID team through a variety of sources including daily grower and stakeholder feedback , ABA sub committee meetings , project reference group meetings , research reviews and findings , forum discussions , overseas publications and monitoring changes in government policy regulations . Industry standard practice is also gathered through webinar and field day feedback mechanisms to continually improve the effectiveness and timeliness of delivery .
The ABA values the strong cohesive relationships it has with industry leaders , researchers , service providers and commercial agents , both in Australia and overseas , allowing trusted communication and information sharing providing Australian almond growers with the knowledge and capacity needed to adapt to the increasingly dynamic , environmental , social and economic operating conditions .
A new extension strategy is being developed by the ID team in partnership with Hort Innovation under the guidance of the ABA Production Committee and Board of Directors . Building on the learnings of past extension programs future extension activities will continue to strengthen collaborative efforts to support our growers .
The ABA website provides the point of reference for all project deliverables creating a valuable legacy of information to support the Australian almond industry .
Activities delivered in 2022 / 23 includes :
• 11 field days - 365 participants
• 5 workshops – 103 participants
• 16 ABA subcommittee meetings – 161 participants
• 15 farm visits – 46 growers
• 41 liaison meetings with 246 industry , research , government stakeholders
• 12 issues-based or project reference group meetings
• 6 tours showcasing almond enterprises and processing facilities to 31 visitors
• Riverina regional meeting – 24 participants
• 6 presentations to 277 industry stakeholders
• 7 “ In a Nutshell ” magazine articles ; 40 “ Grower notices ”; and monthly Almond Byte publications .
2022 / 23 ABA ANNUAL REPORT 15