INDUSTRY NEWS
From page 35
• Almond varieties : Rhea , Monterey , Carmel , Price , Carina ( self-fertilising ), Vela , Nonpareil , Shasta ( self-fertilising ), Maxima , Pyrenees , Peerless , Independence
• All things harvest : harvest season ( February to Anzac Day ), post-harvest care , shakers , bunkers , drying processes
• Almond tree management : importance of chill time , pruning , crazy top , budding , wind management , water stress , watering / water / management , fertiliser timing / importance
• Interrow crops : important for maintaining soil structure , criticalness for bees / pollination
• Soil : soil testing , health , type , structure
• Technology / importance of mapping and imaging software : NDVI , soil moisture probes , Ceres imaging , pest monitoring , frost monitoring , weather monitoring
The students ventured off the orchard on three occasions to further their knowledge . “ Brendon and Gemma took us out to the Almond Centre of Excellence and explained how the farm is used for different research trials ,” they said . “ We got to experience the full circle of almond production , from the orchard right through to Riverland Almonds processing facility .” The duo also attended a Pistachio Growers Association meeting . Oliva and Matilda said they were very grateful for the opportunity to spend more time at Century Orchards . “ Gemma and Brendon shared their passion and enthusiasm for the industry and gave us more insight , experience and knowledge then we could have asked for ,” they said .
Emilie Williams collects a soil sample at Century orchards during the first year study tour .