MEET THE BOARD
Meet the ABA ' s other grower representatives
PETER CAVALLARO ADELAIDE REGION
STEPHEN BECKWITH SWAN REGION
Q . How long have you been involved in the almond industry ? I have been involved in the almond industry since the 1970s since my family purchased an almond orchard which we still run . Currently I am now the general manager of Walker Flat Almonds , based in the Murraylands , South Australia . Q . What prompted you to join the ABA board ? Being able to help develop the industry as it moves into the future , and working with the people involved . Q . Do you have a highlight from either being on the ABA board or working in the industry ? I enjoy helping other people to gain knowledge and skills , which is a big part of why I do what I do . The people I have met and the connections and friendships that have been formed are another highlight for me . Q . What ’ s one priority that you are hoping to see the ABA board focus on in the coming year ? The almond industry is currently facing many challenges , as the costs are going up and the almond prices are at a low , as well as things like water , water quality , tree quality , disease & insect issues , and pollination challenges . Being able to work on these issues and help to find possible solutions is something I like working towards . Q . What do you enjoy doing in your spare time ? Spare time ? What ’ s that ? I enjoy spending time with my family – things like getting together and enjoying good food is a big part of our family and friend life . Q . What is the best way to eat an almond ? There are only three great ways to eat an almond . During December once they have hardened but before the skin goes brown ; dry roasted ; and anything toffee .
Q . How long have you been involved in the almond industry ? I ’ ve been in the almond industry for 5 years now and run the WA Almond operation for Indian Ocean Farms . Q . What prompted you to join the ABA board ? I have always been involved in industry peak bodies in some form during my career with other horticultural crops , I enjoy volunteering my time to assist other growers and the industry if possible . Being remote to the other major almond growing regions , my seat on the board can often give a slightly different perspective with board discussions , but also demonstrate just how many similarities there are in the different growing regions even with geographic spread . Q . Do you have a highlight from either being on the ABA board or working in the industry ? The R and D Forums and ABA conferences are the highlight for me . These are the best opportunities I have to meet and spend time with other growers from the major growing regions . Q . What ’ s one priority that you are hoping to see the ABA board focus on in the coming year ? Continuing to build on developing market demand for Australian almonds and assist return to growers with an improved market price . Q . What do you enjoy doing in your spare time ? Family is my priority , plus I run a small herd of Angus cattle as a hobby on our small family farm , and I do enjoy lawn bowls . Q . What is the best way to eat an almond ? Nonpareil almonds straight from the field .
NEALE BENNETT SUNRAYSIA REGION
Q . How long have you been involved in the almond industry ? I have been a grower in Merbein which is in the Sunraysia area for 31 years . Before that I was a dried grape grower for 11 years . On the land all my life really . I am a grower , a harvest contractor and run a business that supports three of the Californian machinery manufacturers . Q . What prompted you to join the ABA board ? I was Secretary / Treasurer of the Sunraysia branch of the AAGA ( Australian Almond Growers Association ) and through that position became the Sunraysia Regional rep to the AAGA Board . It was decided to involve the processors in the industry decision making , so the AAGA morphed into the initial ABA Board with processors as well around the table . Unfortunately or fortunately depends on which way you look at it , I have been a member ever since . However , I think my use by date is very much on the horizon . Q . Do you have a highlight from either being on the ABA board or working in the industry ? I think the one thing that stands out is that we have advanced from around 5000 tonnes of production to just under 200,000 tonnes in the time that I have been involved as a grower . We have been able to build a solid and respected industry standing within the Australian horticultural scene . As an industry we have faced challenges such as rapid expansion , droughts , water restrictions , water being unbundled from the land , the Aussie dollar at parity with the USD and floods to name a few . As an industry , we have been able to achieve a lot of progress in a relatively short time frame . Currently , we still have challenges arising that need to be dealt with as an industry . Q . What ’ s one priority that you are hoping to see the ABA board focus on in the coming year ? I think that there will be two priorities : Number 1 - will be how the State Governments handle the bee movement for pollination now that Varroa mite has arrived in Australia . Number 2 - What the Federal Government decides to do regarding water buybacks to achieve the MDBA Plan targets . Q . What do you enjoy doing in your spare time ? What spare time ? Q . What is the best way to eat an almond ? Fresh off the tree .
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
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