FROM THE EXECUTIVE
Conference in Adelaide in October . Peter ’ s contribution to the board as its first independent chair has been wide ranging and of the highest order . He has been key contributor to the elevating the board ’ s profile across many sectors as well as an invaluable resource around research , innovation and organisational recruitment . We have been very fortunate to have been led by a person of his standing in Australian horticulture . We look forward to formally acknowledging his contribution to Australian almonds later in the year .
Research prioritisation process
All almonds sold attract a $ 20 per tonne Research and Development Statutory Levy which is managed by Hort Innovation . An industrywide advisory system is used to identify key problem areas worthy of investment . We have more than 30 projects looking at a wide range of areas , including the management of carpophilus beetle where researcher David Madge has created an attract and kill lure that will soon be available to help growers with surveillance . A more cost-effective product to apply to orchards is now being investigated by potential commercial partners in the project . The nine committees that feed into this advisory mechanism are :
• Pollination
• Plant Improvement
• Production
• Processing
• Sustainability
• Water
• Chemical
• Market Development
• ACE Orchard Anyone wishing to nominate for any of these committee can submit an application to the ABA for consideration by the board of directors . Recommendations made by these committees are supplied to the ABA board and then prioritized for the independent Strategic Investment Assessment Panel ( SIAP ) that meets twice a year to monitor and evaluate current and proposed projects . The SIAP is chaired by Domenic Cavallaro and contains growers and processors as well as Hort Innovation personnel . The SIAP is due to meet in Mildura next month .
Industry award nominations please
The Almond Board of Australia is seeking nominations for its timehonoured industry Hall of Fame as well as Outstanding Service awards . The board recently adopted a set of criteria to assist in identifying eligibility . In 2022 former Select Harvests CEO John Bird was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame while Adelaide University ’ s plant breeding scientist Michelle Wirthensohn was recognised for her contribution to the industry with an Outstanding Service Award . Nominations can be emailed detailing their contribution to ABA CEO Tim Jackson : tjackson @ australianalmonds . com . au . Nominations Close July 31 , 2024 .
Hall of Fame nominations :
• Open to all industry members across all sectors .
• Nominee has provided exceptional service in a voluntary capacity and shown significant commitment and / or made an outstanding contribution to the Australian almond industry .
• Achieved a positive impact on the Australian almond industry
• Contributed a legacy for the industry ’ s ‘ greater good ’.
Outstanding Service Award
• Open to all employees / contractors / researchers across all sectors of the industry .
• Provided outstanding professional service to the industry over a prolonged period
• Achieved a positive impact on the Australian almond industry
• Contributed to the industry ’ s ‘ greater good ’
Award recipients will be announced at the gala dinner of the Almond Conference in Adelaide on October 3 .
Self-fertile variety project
There is a lot of interest already emerging on the ABA ’ s latest trial at the ACE experimental Orchard at Loxton . One of the biggest questions being asked across the industry is what variety to plant .
In order to evaluate various mainstream self-fertile varieties a 5.11ha orchard is being established at Horizon 2 density ( 6.5m rows and 3m tree spacings ). These planting spaces allow for 35 rows of 71 trees per row within the 5.11ha . Each variety will be planted in five consecutive rows to create a block of each variety . Carina will have seven rows to accommodate the Lysimeters to enable additional water use measures . The order of varieties in the trial site design will be determined based on flowering-time and duration to provide as much separation to reduce flowering overlap and reduce the likelihood of crossfertilisation . The varieties involved will be Carina , Mira , Vela , Independence , Shasta and Pyrenees for the purpose of benchmarking self-fertile variety performance planted in contiguous rows against traditional planting of alternating rows with Nonpareil . They will undergo assessments across a range of parameters and production traits including nut set , hive stocking rates , nutrient and water uptakes , and orchard uniformity . Two rootstocks will be compared for each variety including industry standard Nemaguard and Garnem hybrid rootstock with greatest area planted by industry since 2015 . Grower demonstrations and resources will extend new knowledge from this trial . See full story on page 10 .
Farewell Shannon Harkins
The ABA ’ s long serving Finance Manager Shannon Harkins is leaving the ABA to take on a new role within the industry . Shannon ’ s acumen and dedication to maintaining financial records of the highest order have placed the ABA in a strong position over many years . He has taken on numerous roles on top of his financial reporting obligations within the ABA over more than 13 years and will be sorely missed . The ABA Finance Manager position has been advertised nationally as we begin the search to find a replacement .
industry . australianalmonds . com . au
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