RESEARCH & EVENTS
Mastering almond disease workshops
MEMBERS of the Almond Integrated Disease Management ( IDM ) team with researchers from Agriculture Victoria , SARDI and NSW DPI ( Hort Innovation funded project AL22002 ) presented two disease masterclass workshops for the almond industry on October 24 and 26 . The workshops were tailored to the interests and needs of participants and took place in both Mildura and Griffith to enable participation by a wide cross section of the industry . Before the workshops commenced , pre workshop surveys indicated that 93 % of participants wanted to learn more about disease identification and management , while 63 % wanted to hear about our current research . Attendees were presented with a wide range of information on the identification and management strategies for key foliar and trunk diseases affecting the Australian almond industry , as well as updates on current research underway in the new IDM project , on hull rot , trunk disease / Phytophthora and Monterey decline . Fungicide management presentations were also delivered by the Almond Board of Australia in Mildura and Yenda Producers ’ Coop representatives in Griffith . Those in attendance also enjoyed some interactive discussions / games including almond disease bingo , and a small team activity where participants were separated into groups and devised management strategies for a disease of their choice , which they then presented to the masterclass . The interactive nature of the workshops added an engaging dimension to the learning experience . The IDM team were also on hand to discuss any issues or disease samples presented on the day . In total 64 almond growers , agronomists and industry stakeholders attended over the two workshop days . Robust discussion , the ability to raise questions and the exchange of information among those attending was a highlight of the events . Overall , both days were very well received with relevance and overall satisfaction rating highly in post event surveys
ABOVE : Dr Len Tesoriero calling disease masterclass bingo at the Mildura workshop .
BELOW : Brittany Oswald presenting Trunk disease identification and management strategies at the Griffith masterclass .
and comments reiterating the relevance and need for these events . The success of these workshops underscores their pivotal role in addressing industry needs , fostering knowledge dissemination , and strengthening the collective efforts towards effective disease management within the almond sector .
ABOVE : Feedback from almond industry stakeholders after the masterclass .
LEFT : Interactive games including almond disease bingo .
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