ACE OPEN DAY
Industry experimental and demonstration orchard is ACE
THE Almond Centre of Excellence ( ACE ), an experimental and demonstration orchard in Loxton North , has been officially handed over to the Almond Board of Australia . To coincide with the official opening on 14 November , an open day was held and more than 200 people attended . The facility was previously owned by the South Australian Government and managed by the ABA on a long-term lease . At the official handover PIRSA Chief Executive Professor Mehdi Doroudi said his involvement with the ACE orchard began in 2014-15 , when he was determined to see the centre built in South Australia . “ Working with industry and research and development corporations , we can make sure we achieve outcomes that flow to the whole nation ,” he said . “ This is a wonderful facility that highlights what can be achieved when all stakeholders are working as one . “ Walking around today , you can ’ t help but feel proud to have been involved in this project from the outset .” The first trees were planted on the Loxton North property in 2017 and are now reaching maturity . There are currently 13 trials at the orchard investigating soil amelioration , rootstock and scion compatibility , planting density , pruning responses , architectural studies , cover crops , breeding evaluations and much more . SARDI , Plant and Food Research Australia and New Zealand , The University of Adelaide , the ABA and commercial operators have trials at the property . Information about the trials at the ACE orchard can be found in the grower resources section of the ABA website . ABA Chief Executive Officer Tim Jackson said ACE aims to advance almond production systems and ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry . At the opening , Mr Jackson thanked the SA and Federal governments , along with the industry ’ s Research and Development Corporation , Hort Innovation , for supporting the establishment of the orchard .
ABA CEO Tim Jackson , ABA Chairman Peter Hayes , PIRSA Chief Executive Professor Mehdi Doroudi , former ABA chairman Brendan Sidhu , former ABA CEO Ross Skinner and Hort Innovation ’ s Head of Industry Service and Delivery Corrine Jasper standing at the entrance to the ACE orchard .
“
Working with industry and research and development corporations , we can make sure we achieve outcomes that flow to the whole nation .
He said having ownership of the site will enable much-needed infrastructure to be built . “ Planning has begun to construct amenities for staff , researchers and visitors ,” he said . Hort Innovation ’ s Head of Industry Service and Delivery , Corrine Jasper , said the ACE orchard is home to more than $ 15 million in almond industry investments being delivered through Hort Innovation . “ A lot of almond research originated in California where almost 80 % of the world ’ s almonds are grown , so the ACE orchard provides a hub for developing innovative growing systems and genetics suitable for Australian conditions ,” she said . “ I remember visiting this site when it was still a part of the neighbouring wheat paddock , so it is credit to all involved .”
- Prof Mehdi Doroudi , PIRSA Chief Executive
Mr Jackson also acknowledged the work of former ABA CEO Ross Skinner and former chairman ( now director ) Brendan Sidhu . “ The idea of creating an industrymanaged self-funded experimental farm was initially proposed by Ross and Brendan and supported by the ABA Board of Directors ,” he said . “ The work done to win the funding required and the support from various agencies was pivotal to the project winning grower approval .” Last month Hort Innovation announced that a new project worth $ 6.2 million that covered servicing a range of research and development projects on site had been awarded to the ABA . Anyone wanting to visit the Almond Centre of Excellence should contact ABA Industry Development Officer Josh Fielke or Farm Manager Anthony Wachtel on ( 08 ) 8584 7053 .
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
7