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#ausmacadamias 
MacGroup highlights, resources and feedback
2026 | Kojetin L | Article
Thanks to everyone who joined our recent MacGroup events, bringing growers and industry members together to focus on orchard floor and weed management ahead of the coming season.
Herbicides in macadamias - a practical guide
2026 | Kojetin L, Grieve E | Fact Sheet
Herbicides are one tool in orchard floor management, not a stand-alone solution. Best results come from using them as part of an integrated program that includes groundcover management, timing, and mechanical control.
MacAlert March 2026
2026 | Grieve E, Kojetin L | Research report/Update
Key messages this month include:
The key to harvest is to manage people, machinery, grass and nuts without bottlenecks, delays or quality loss.
If you are applying herbicide, only use registered herbicides and follow all label directions. ID weeds before choosing a product.
Check withholding periods before spraying.
Rat control relies on consistent baiting and managing forage/shelter areas.
Conserve natural predators such as wasps, spiders and lacewings.
Check storage bins for pests attracted to the odour of broken shells, like kernel grub.
Maintaining tree health and productivity relies on consistent nutrition, best applied in smaller quantities more regularly.
In QLD an active campaign on moving plant safety is underway. Check that you have met all the legal responsibilities.
AMS News Bulletin Autumn 2026
2026 | Davies L, Grieve E, Kojetin L, Bond D, Bright J, Quinlan K, Searle C, Young R, Weinert M, Trueman S, Wallace H, Alam M, Orford R, Whitten M, Hosseini Bai S, Hill L, Kelley J, Martinez M | News Bulletin
Autumn 2026 articles include:
CEO’s report
Market update
Marketing news
Industry insights
Nuts for Life
Meet your AMS Board
Gondwana has found clarity, confidence and a path forward
Tree change: managing canopies and replacing blocks field day
World Macadamia Organisation update
2025 macadamia season data
Building on tradition – WFI and the Australian macadamia industry
Wild macadamia conservation – healing the rivers
MACSAFE – protecting our industry reputation
Macadamias and the Great Barrier Reef
A considered, seasonal look at herbicide use in macadamia
Practical strategies for managing storm damage in orchards
What this year’s rainfall tells us about yields in Bundaberg
Crowsfoot grass vs Flaxleaf fleabane
Planning for future macadamia production in NSW
Ethephon for shortening the harvest: past research and current recommendations
Emerging researchers driving the future of Australian macadamia breeding
Moisture and heat associated with brown centres in macadamia nuts
AMS Kernel Laboratory Assessment Scheme (KLAS) update
Australian macadamia minor use permits
MacAlert February 2026
2026 | Grieve E, Kojetin L | Research report/Update
Key messages this month include:
Harvest and orchard floor clean-up, nut-receival, sorting and storage systems prep. Correct storage and handling is a must to maintain nut quality.
In QLD, a safety campaign is conducting audits on moving plant safety, operator training and systems.
Monitor nut maturity with a husk check or a maturity test with your processor for higher accuracy.
Are your agrichemical use records and pre-season audits up to date? Treat herbicides like any other pesticide.
Actively manage rats year-round with correct bait selection and placement. A rat bait overview is included.
Continue monitoring FSB/BSB and observe withholding periods carefully.
Botryosphaeria branch dieback issues become obvious in late summer. A list of symptoms and tests is included.
Assess your risk for Phytophthora root rot and trunk canker following a wetter summer.
Managing nutrition during harvest is essential.
Smaller and more frequent irrigation is more effective in this hot period when evapotranspiration is high.
MacGroups on effective orchard floor and weed management in Bundaberg and Northern Rivers. Join us for discussion and demonstrations.
Take a look at weather outlooks for March 2026.
MacAlert January 2026
2026 | Grieve E, Kojetin L | Research report/Update
Key messages this month include:
Rat pressure is a compounding cost that needs a proactive approach, refreshing baits and reducing food and shelter resources.
MacTrix wasp releases to control MNB should continue into January.
The FSB/BSB risk period has not eased - most eggs are laid in November to March.
Check for spotting bug damage by sampling nuts from trees, not on the ground.
Can you tell whetherdiseased husks are husk spot or husk rot? More information in the MacAlert.
Water requirements are now at their maximum. Ensure soil moisture is being read accurately.
During preharvest clean up, ensure boomsprayers are correctly calibrated and that you understand any chemicals to be used during harvest - especially the withholding periods.
Book in firm dates for third party orchard operations, transport services and consignment deliveries. Nuts delayed in on-farm storage vessels can increase rejects if conditions aren’t ideal.
Be aware of the heat. Where possible, plan around peak hot periods, rotate jobs, and scheduling regular rest breaks in shaded or cool areas.
Watch for early signs of heat stress such as headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps or an unusual pulse.
The predicted short-lived La Niña has weakened. Take a look at other weather outlooks for early 2026.
MacAlert December 2025
2025 | Grieve E, Kojetin L | Manual/guide
Key messages this month include:
Monitor for spotting bug by examining fallen nuts when young, using drop sheets when more mature.
Most FSB/BSB eggs are laid in November to March. Only monitoring until Christmas or even Australia Day is costly!
Keep monitoring for macadamia nut borer, leptocoris and other young tree pests.
Have you considered horticultural oil as a control? It’s effective but has application guidelines.
Nitrogen and potassium are particularly important at this crop stage. Monitor for deficiency/toxicity signs to assess nutrient status.
Water requirements are at a peak and will remain high through to harvest. Soil monitoring and proactive irrigation is essential.
Storm season is here. Have you prepared your orchard/farm and prepared for storm recovery?
Join the Benchmarking data collection for the 2025 season to get your farm's yield and quality report for free.
A weak La Niña is underway and projected to be short lived. Take a look at other weather outlooks for 2026.
How to sign up for the Bunnings Trade Powerpass deal for AMS members
2025 | AMS | Article
Download this document for a step by step guide to signing up for the exclusive Bunnings Trade Powerpass deal offered to AMS members
AMS News Bulletin Summer 2025
2025 | Grieve E, Yonow T, Kriticos D, Dhakal Poudel P, Kojetin L, Hamilton-Bate C, Bright J, Weinert M, Mulo S, Topp B, Price J, de Faveri J, Haberman A, Mainali B, Revell G, Carr C, Whitten M, Davies L, Duncun A, Mobashwer A | News Bulletin
Summer 2025 articles include:
CEO’s report
Market update
Marketing news
Industry insights
Nuts for Life
AMS welcomes new market development manager
Steve McLean reflects on making the 20% count
Bruce Topp – breeding, cultivating and conserving macadamias
Meet the 2025 AMS Awards of Excellence winners
Grower of the Year (small farm) Macadamia Allsorts
Grower of the Year (large farm) CL Macs/Benworth
Masterclass gives practical learnings
Sustainability: on farm and orchard recycling growers guide to closing the loop
Macadamia nut borer
Citrus blossom bug – an emerging challenge in macadamias
Orchard assessment – the elephant in the room
Latest insights from industry benchmark data
Key insights from a decade of research in orchard intensification
Integrated rat management options in macadamias
Owls-eat-rats ecological rodent management
National breeding program delivering the next generation macadamias
DNA study reveals how macadamia trees can grow and crop faster
Towards thresholds for macadamia lace bug management
Minor use permits
MacAlert November 2025
2025 | Grieve E, Kojetin L | Manual/guide
Key messages this month include:
Premature nut drop is natural and can’t be stopped in season but can be minimised.
Managing soil moisture, reducing damage from pests/diseases and to a lesser degree crop inputs are levers to manage nut shed.
A large portion of an annual potassium budget is needed for the growing crop, as well as demand for nitrogen.
Water demand in increasing. The rule of thumb with irrigation is less, more often.
Ensure any material placed on the orchard floor considers withholding periods.
Check for spotting bug damage at least weekly or even more regularly.
Monitor for macadamia nut borer eggs to help time releases of MacTrix wasps.
Overuse of the any broad-spectrum chemistry can cause further secondary pest issues.
Potential for damage increases as the storm intensity builds going into summer.
Getting spray management right is critical for productivity and global competitiveness.
The Benchmarking project team has commenced data collection for the 2024 season.
Check the weather outlook for December 2025. A weak La Niña is a possibility heading into summer.
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