Opportunities for almond drying and storage for 2023
Professor John Fielke , University of South Australia Andrew Fisher , Harveston Aeration Solutions , NSW Mark White , Harveston Aeration Solutions , NSW
WITHOUT a doubt the 2023 almond harvest will be exposed to wet conditions . The BOM has forecast that the current La Niña weather pattern to continue until Feb 2023 . Growers will need a strategy to manage a wet harvest . Fortunately , there is relevant research from both Australia and California available to guide the way . The most applicable Australian report , Advanced Processing of Almonds ( Fielke JM , 2018 ) was funded by Hort Innovation using the Almond research and development levy and contributions from the Australian government . In this report , evidence was provided to show that almonds can be harvested prior to them being fully dried and that they can be taken out of the orchard green and placed into aerated stockpiles for finish drying without loss of quantity or quality .
Figure 1 . Trials of stockpile aeration in 2017
Within the report the boundaries for good dehydration of almonds that mimics the best aspects of natural drying were defined . The reports shows how sensors and automation can be used to modify the air being blown through the almonds to achieve a desired kernel moisture content . Figure 1 shows stockpile aeration trials in 2017 . The benefits of early harvest into controlled aeration storage go beyond drying . Removing almonds from the orchard early also decreases losses from birds , reduces the opportunity for insect damage and most importantly eliminates rewetting from rain events .
Storage options There are a number of existing storage options . Growers typically use outdoor stockpiles where inhull almonds are piled in long heaps and tarped when required . This style of storage is labour intensive and does not lend itself well to effective aeration . Some growers have invested in sheds or co-opted farm buildings as covered storage . When using these methods , depending on the tarping method
36 In A Nutshell - Summer 2022 Vol 23 Issue 4