Events

Effective orchard floor and weed management before and during harvest

Last season reminded many growers how challenging the lead-up to, and early stages of, harvest can be when weather conditions and orchard access are not ideal. Then come the months of maintaining workable ground conditions through harvest itself. With ongoing cost pressure across the industry, maximising nut recovery matters more than ever.

That raises practical questions for growers. How do we manage weeds and the orchard floor effectively, cost-efficiently and safely, while maintaining access and picking up every nut? Are there better ways to manage grass and weeds? With that in mind, the March MacGroups will focus on practical orchard floor and weed management, aimed at supporting better outcomes as we head into the 2026 harvest season.

MacGroup dates and locations

• Bundaberg, QLD. Tuesday 3 March 2026, 8.30am–12.30pm, finishing with lunch
• Northern Rivers, NSW. Thursday 5 March 2026, 8.30am–12.30pm, finishing with lunch

These sessions will step through best practice weed management, including the do’s, don’ts and how-to’s of herbicide use. We will look at which products, modes of action and timing are appropriate and effective in different orchard situations. Herbicide is not the only tool available, and no one wants to rely on it alone. We will also explore alternative weed management approaches, including mechanical options and emerging technologies currently being trialled in orchards.

The focus is on practical, workable solutions that help manage real orchard challenges, rather than repeating traditional industry routines. This will be a hands-on morning in the orchard, covering:

• Orchard floor preparation and mowing strategies for harvest
• Weed identification and management considerations
• Herbicide boom spray calibration demonstrations
• New spot-spraying technology
• Machinery and equipment displays suited to orchard systems

Growers and employees will have the chance to engage directly with industry experts, see equipment in action, and take away clear, practical insights to improve orchard floor management and weed control.

These MacGroups are an opportunity to ask questions about a job everyone is managing for months of the year, gain practical knowledge on what is actually effective in the field, and connect with other growers as we prepare for the season ahead.

March MacGroups will be run in two locations only, and growers and employees from all regions are welcome to attend either event. A full round of six regional MacGroups is planned for July 2026.