INDUSTRY NEWS
ABOVE LEFT AND RIGHT : Three generations of Cavallaros helped with the 2024 almond harvest at Angle Vale - the final family harvest at the property .
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From page 7 relied on rainfall , but growers at Angle Vale recognised they couldn ’ t rely on Mother Nature alone . Larry ’ s father-in-law , Cosimo Costa , was the first almond grower to irrigate his son John ’ s almond orchard . “ Aluminium pipes were placed down the rows and the trees flourished as a result ,” Larry said . Initially Larry obtained six million gallons of bore water for his property and , after much debate , he was able to get it increased to 10 million gallons , which still wasn ’ t enough . Adelaide Plains District Horticultural Adviser Brenton Baker played a significant role in the establishment of the almond industry . With the help of Brenton Baker the Cavallaros were among the first growers to use tensiometers to measure soil moisture . The family put together a workshop for almond growers from other regions so they could make their own devices . “ Pete would have been six foot tall if he didn ’ t play with mercury !” Larry ’ s son Domenic said . of the Co-op and its move from Edwardstown to Berri , as 60 % of Australia ’ s almond crop was being grown in the Riverland . “ Larry ’ s time as interim managing director was supposed to be for a month but ended up being two years ,” Peter said . The Almond Industry Trust Fund operated from 1972 to 1979 , providing finance for research carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Larry was also a member of this committee . “ If you were going to be involved in an industry you ’ ve got to be a part of it ,” Larry said . The 88-year-old still takes a keen interest in the industry . “ He still advises us ,” said Peter . “ They are smarter that I am , more up to date , but I keep my finger on the pulse ,” Larry said . Three of Larry ’ s sons are still involved with the almond industry today . “’ We can ’ t help ourselves ,” said Peter . Peter is currently deputy chairman of the Almond Board of Australia ( ABA ) and chairs the Production and Pollination committees . He also is the general manager of Walker Flat Almonds , a 480-acre property on the Murray River . Domenic works as an independent horticulture consultant . He spent six years on the ABA board and is currently a member of the ABA ’ s Almond Centre of Excellence committee and chairs Hort
Industry involvement Larry was the local representative of the Northen Adelaide Plains almond growers ’ group and deputy chairman of the Almond Co-operative Ltd , which has evolved to become Almondco . In 1985 as interim managing director he oversaw the major restructuring Innovation ’ s Strategic Investment
In A Nutshell - Winter 2024 Vol 25 Issue 2
Advisory Panel . “ I worked for the Department of Ag and saw the power of industry and the influence they had on government policy ,” Dom said . David is the general manager of Stoller Australia , which has now been acquired by Corteva Agri Science to build out their biologicals division , and regularly sponsors events held by the ABA . Up until the family ’ s Angle Vale property was sold , David was responsible for ensuring the family ’ s orchard was being adequately irrigated and fertilised . He was always accompanied by his 11-year-old son Christian , who is known as his shadow . Larry ’ s other two sons , Cosi and John , work in other industries but were called in to help at harvest times .
Bees If running almond orchards wasn ’ t enough to keep the Cavallaros busy , they also own 540 beehives . David got the first three hives , then Peter picked up a swarm that was on the river and - despite being allergic to bees - Larry decided to get some too . These days the family has sponsored an apiarist . The family no longer has to harvest almonds at Angle Vale , but extracting honey is still a team effort . No doubt there ’ ll be lots of laughs and tales of bee stings in this next chapter of the Cavallaros in Angle Vale .