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AMS member SPECIAL PRIMEX TICKET OFFER
The Australian Macadamia Society will be exhibiting at the 2012 Primex event in Casino, from Thursday June 14 – Saturday June 16.
The popular agricultural field day event will showcase around 1000 businesses and 12 exhibitions in one, and it’s an event not to be missed. From agricultural machinery to a horticulture exhibition, a motor show, livestock, cropping, finance and real estate, and travel/tourism and sustainability exhibitions, this event has the lot.
SPECIAL OFFER: The AMS and Primex are offering all AMS members a free VIP pass to the event. To obtain your ticket, you must RSVP to the AMS by 9am Friday May 25. Phone Sarah Hall in the AMS office on 02 6622 4933 or email . But be quick; no tickets will be issued after this date.
Please be aware, one ticket per member
Make sure you take advantage of this great offer, and come and visit the AMS exhibition booth when you get there!
For more info on the event, visit www.primex.net.au
Gifting of endangered wild macadamia species to the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Mt Cooth-tha
The Macadamia Conservation Trust and Brisbane City Council are working together to conserve and protect wild macadamia plants by permanently exhibiting all four endangered species at Brisbane Botanic Gardens, at Mt Coot-tha, on Monday 21st May 2012.
To RSVP please contact Sarah Jane Hall in the AMS office or (02) 6622 4933.
6th International Macadamia Symposium
It is our pleasure to invite you to be apart of the 6th International Macadamia Symposium in Brisbane from 18-20 September, 2012.
The Symposium, held triennially, will bring together hundreds of influential players in the global macadamia industry and we encourage you to join in.
Symposium Sponsorship and exhibition information
Don’t miss your opportunity to promote your brand to the key decision makers and influencers in the global macadamia industry at the 6th International Macadamia Symposium (presented by Monchiero), in Brisbane (18-20 September, 2012). The premier event on the global industry calendar, the symposium will bring together more than 300 of the best and brightest Australian macadamia industry leaders and participants with their international counterparts. Would you like to gain direct access to the people who own and run businesses, market our magnificent product and drive the cutting edge research underpinning the industry? Do you want to reach a large number of delegates within your target market? Increase your sales, profile and reputation? Expand your professional network of potential clients? Then click here for the sponsorship and exhibition prospectus.
Grower Kernel Assessment and Laboratory Accreditation Information Session
An information session for growers on the recent changes to the Kernel Assessment Manual has been organised for:
NSW – May 29
Hudson Room,
Wollongbar DPI,
1243 Brunxer Highway, Wollongbar
QLD – May 31
Suncoast Gold Macadamias Training Room,
Suncoast Gold Macadamias Processing Plant, Gympie
Growers will get the opportunity to learn about:
- Changes from severity ratings to payment categories:
Premium, Commercial and Reject - Introduction to the revised Kernel Assessment Manual
- Background on the images used within the manual and what the manual hopes to achieve
- Introduction to the laboratory accreditation scheme and understanding of the accountability of processors and staff competency.
- Development of a better grower reporting system
(Grower feedback encouraged)
Bookings are essential by emailing
Centre for Tropical Horticulture lease a slap in the face for horticulture industry
Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) CEO Jolyon Burnett says the decision by the Department of Primary Industries to award the Alstonville Community College a long term lease on the buildings at the Centre for Tropical Horticulture (CTH) in Alstonville is a slap in the face for the regional horticultural industry.
Mr. Burnett questioned the underlying motive behind the decision, which now also jeopardises some of the some of the region’s most important horticultural research and development projects.
2012 Australian macadamia crop shows recovery
The pre-harvest forecast for the 2012 Australian macadamia crop has been estimated at 37,070 tonnes nut in shell (NIS) by the Australian Macadamia Society (AMS). Depending on kernel recoveries for the season, this is equivalent to around 11,000 tonnes of kernel.
Horticultural growers’ survey
In March 2010 the APVMA introduced new regulations on spray drift risk assessment and risk mitigation, resulting in minimum downwind buffer zone requirements being implemented for ground based and aerial spray applications to protect the public, sensitive terrestrial and aquatic areas, and trade. In response to the impact of this regulation the National Working Party on Pesticide Applications (NWPPA) for Pesticide Regulation was formed, which includes members from horticulture, broadacre industries, and Croplife members. This survey has been commissioned by Horticulture Australia, Limited (HAL) and is being conducted by The University of Queensland. This survey will assess the current and best practice in horticulture pesticide application and management across a representative range of horticultural crops and locations.The aim of the survey is to evaluate the risk and appropriate Drift Reduction Technologies (DRT) being employed on-farm.
Australian tree nut industry set to crack $1billion in value
The Australian tree nut industry is set to double its worth and crack $1 billion in farm gate value with exports to exceed $750 million within eight years, according to a new ANIC report. The significant growth for the industry, which will next year become Australia’s largest horticulture exporter, includes the doubling of almond production by 2014 and continued strong growth of macadamia and walnut production.
Nutcracker sweet – Australia’s rollercoaster romance with macadamias
The Australian’s rural reporter Sue Neales recently travelled to the Northern Rivers to participate in the AMS media familiarisation tour.
Her two-page feature article was recently published in the newspaper’s weekend ‘A Plus’ supplement
Latest MacSmart Video
The latest video on the MacSmart web site features cincturing to control Abnormal Vertical Growth (AVG) in macadamia trees. AVG causes the loss of over 1200 tonnes of nut-in-shell annually, mostly in the Bundaberg region. Dr Danielle Le Lagadec from the Bundaberg Research Facility explains how AVG affects macadamia trees and how cincturing induces them to flower and set nuts. Scott Allcott, the manager of Macadamia Farm Management, has been trialling cincturing for five years. He demonstrates how to cincture trees and the results and costs involved. See the video on the MacSmart web site under ‘Canopy management’, ‘Other methods’. If you are already signed into the MacSmart site or visit www.macsmart.com.au and sign in to view this and other videos about canopy management.
Biochar Survey – Closes 31 May
Interested in biochar? If so NSW DPI really appreciate your help to understand your industry’s information needs in relation to this exciting new area of soil health development by completing a short five minute survey. Horticulture Australia Ltd has commissioned a team from NSW DPI to produce a book on high carbon soil amendments, especially biochar in horticulture. The project team will be reviewing all of the scientific literature on the effects of biochar on soil properties, plant properties and yield in horticultural industries. They will also be assessing the economics of biochar use in Australia. The team would appreciate your participation in the survey in order to gain a better understanding of the level of interest in biochar among macadamia growers. The survey closes on the 31 May.
Recognition of traineeships for production horticulture in Queensland
Traineeships for Production Horticulture in Queensland at a Certificate II and III level have been officially recognised by the Australian Qualification Framework – the organisation regulating qualifications in Australia.
The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), peak horticulture body Growcom and local growers associations such as the Bowen and Gumlu District Growers Association have worked together to have the skills and training required to work in production horticulture recognised through traineeships. A Certificate II in Production Horticulture is now recognised as the training required for a farm hand while a Certificate III in Production Horticulture will classify a graduate as a tradesperson. Growcom CEO Alex Livingstone said recognition of traineeships provided growers with the opportunity to provide a career pathway and training for employees – two recognised activities that attract and retain staff.
Download more traineeship information
Sweeper vs blower –Youtube video from DPI has answers
The effect on soil movement of sweepers and blowers used during harvesting is highlighted in a four minute Youtube video launched by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in April.
In the video, DPI soil scientist Justine Cox explains the amount and pattern of soil movement caused by sweepers and blowers during harvest – findings from research supported by the macadamia industry.
Macadamia grower Doug Rowley also talks about how he has changed his orchard floor management and harvesting practice to minimise soil movement under his trees.
“We all know that saving our soil is an issue for macadamia growers as large canopied trees shade the orchard floor hindering ground cover growth,” said Justine.
“Large areas of bare soil, together with intense rainfall events have led to observed soil movement within orchards and occasionally off-site. Harvest machinery also contribute to soil movement.
“This video explains which technique has less impact and provides useful tips on how to reduce soil movement and root exposure in the orchard during harvesting.”
For more information, contact Justine Cox on 02 6626 1200.
Review of NSW Livestock Health & Pest Authority (LHPA) model
A report on the review of the NSW Livestock Health & Pest Authority (LHPA) model, commissioned by the Minister for Primary Industries, has now been released. The AMS prepared a detailed submission for the review arguing that the LHPAs should be disbanded and their functions devolved to existing organisations (principally the DPI) and that funding should be provided by those who directly cause the risk or benefit from management of the risk. The AMS agrees with the report’s key findings that the existing LHPA model is unaccountable, inefficient and ineffective and that cross subsidisation of animal health management by non livestock rate payers occurs. However the AMS is deeply disappointed with the report recommendations. Despite finding “the current LHPA subsystem is not working effectively and delivering either for ratepayers or taxpayers”, the report recommends continued rating of macadamia growers and the expansion of the role of the LHPAs under new regional biosecurity organisations.
Levy on nut in shell
Growers and industry participants should be aware that the statutory macadamia levy is payable on all first point of sale transactions of macadamias regardless of whether the product is sold as kernel or nut in shell. Levy is also payable by producers who process their own macadamias. Export charge is payable on macadamias that are exported and have not previously had levy paid on them. DAFF Levies have advised the following:
“The calculation of the macadamia nuts levy is based on the weight of the recovered dried kernel (dried kernel for macadamia nuts, means macadamia nut kernel that have been artificially partly dried) multiplied by the current rate i.e. 25.21 cents per kg (dried kernel). There is no levy rate for macadamia nut in shell; therefore if the macadamia nuts are sold/exported as nut in shell, there is no dried kernel weight on which to calculate the levy, hence the legislation indicates that for the purpose of calculating levy the default recovery rate is 50% (of the weight of the nut in shell). The definitions are contained within Clause 10.2 of Part 10 (Macadamias) of Schedule 22 – Horticultural Products of the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Regulations 1991.”
Failure to pay levies undermines the equity of the levy system and reduces funds available to the industry for R&D and marketing. Anyone aware of transactions where levies are not being paid should contact the LRS on or AMS CEO Jolyon Burnett at .
Benchmarking Report
This is a preliminary report summarising the findings of the first round of on-farm benchmarking conducted as part of MC09001 “Improving farm productivity and competitiveness in the Australian macadamia industry”. The focus of this first round of on-farm benchmarking has been on analysing and reporting yield and quality results.
No Change to Forecast
The Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) has maintained estimates of the 2011 crop, as deliveries at major processors continue to follow the estimates made in July.
The Australian Macadamia Handlers Association (AMHA), who handle more than 90% of the industry production, has advised the AMS that nut in shell (NIS) receivals were 25,270MT at the end of July.
Industry Ambassadors
The AMS extends a big thanks to the many growers who have recently agreed to become ambassadors for our wonderful industry.
If you’re interested in helping us to share the many good news stories we have with our local communities, then please give Nyree Epplett at the AMS a call on (02) 6622 4933.
We’re looking for growers who are passionate about what they do, and who would be prepared, from time to time, to be involved in media interviews and photo opportunities. Special thanks to our growers who were recently involved in our recent media and PR activities around flowering.
Permit for Methomyl to control Banana Fruit Caterpillar in QLD approved
Download Permit information outlining the recently approved permit for methomyl to control Banana Fruit Caterpillar. The AMS has been working hard with the APVMA and AgAware consulting to deliver this result for macadamia growers. If you need any further information please contact the AMS office on (02) 6622 4933.
Best Practice Guidelines for Chemical Use and Spray Application
The AMS has developed specific best practice guidelines for chemical use and spray application.
All growers are urged to follow these in the approaching spray season.
Download your copy of the Best Practice Guidelines
For further information, please contact Robbie Commens or Jolyon Burnett in the AMS office.