INDUSTRY NEWS
Global almond industry experts to headline ABA conference
TOP LEFT : Reseracher Xavier Miarnau will give a different perspective on orchard design . TOP RIGHT : Roger Duncan is an authority on variety and rootstock selection .
THE Almond Board of Australia ’ s biennial conference will feature of some of the most pre-eminent experts in the industry . Headlining the program will be two Californians with extensive experience in different aspect of almond growing . Roger Duncan and Jim Adaskaveg are two of the most sought-after farm advisors in California . Both are experts in their fields with their applied research proving both strong and practical . Roger recently retired from his role as a University of California Cooperative extension farm advisor after 36 years specialising in orchard design focusing on variety and rootstock selection and tree spacing . He was the key driver for the Almond Rootstock Comparison Chart resource now available for growers . Jim is recognised worldwide for his pathology expertise and research conducted on numerous crops . His focus on almonds has provided knowledge for greater understanding on efficacy of agrochemicals . His most well-known research provides the details on fungicide efficacy hosted on the UCANR website . Jim also conducted the tests on the Monterey failure issues in California and will be able to provide insights on the issue from the Californian perspective .
Spain is at the forefront of higher density plantings . Researcher Xavier Miarnau will provide a different perspective to orchard design and what has worked in the Mediterranean climate with limited water as well as those orchards with advanced irrigation systems . Roberta de Bei has been driving the higher density trials for the Australian industry and her Plant Food Research trials at the ACE Orchard in Loxton as well as satellite sites makes for some interesting insights . Professor Neville Crossman recently moved from the Murray Darling Basin Authority to the One Basin CRC . He is an economist who has seen first-hand the delicate balance between environmental and socioeconomic impacts of policy . His experience and understanding on what irrigation in the basin looks like in years to come should be a “ must see ” presentation for those planning for the future . Mark Bennett hails from the Victorian Mallee and has become one of the finance industry ’ s leading authorities on agri-economics . He will take a bigger picture look at what influences and challenges are being faced by producers and what challenges lie ahead for the Australian dollar and almond growers . Michael Waring has travelled the world promoting the health
benefits of regularly consuming dried fruit and nuts . As one of the nation ’ s leading traders as well as producing macadamias and hazelnuts , Michael has a unique “ all-of-supply chain ” understanding . He is the only Australian to head up the International Dried Fruit and Nut Council and gained a breadth of knowledge on export markets and consumer sentiment that make him compulsory listening . AITHER chief Ryan Gormley heads up an organisation that provides independent analysis on the water market in Australia . The AITHER reports have become reliably accurate and independently developed to be recognised as credible on all sides of politics . Where is the water price headed under the new rules around buybacks ? Ryan explores this in his presentation on day one . Tyler Niday is a whiz kid from California who has been at the forefront of robotic technology . He has joined forces with some of the biggest almond machinery manufacturers in the US to develop the next wave of autonomous machinery . What does the future look like and what comes next in the world of robotics ? Tyler will share his unique insights , hopes and predictions on where technology is taking farming and what the are pitfalls to look out for when considering the switch .
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
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