2022 | Australian Macadamia Society | Manual/guide
Key messages this month include:
• Spotting bugs. Although shells have hardened, damage is still possible and will be worse after
rain.
• Leptocoris. More Leptocoris have been found in orchards over the last few weeks.
• Macadamia nut borer. MacTrix wasp releases should continue into January if you are in NSW or
Sth East QLD
• Husk spot and husk rot. January is a good time to assess the extent of loss.
• The wet season has arrived. Have a plan in place to deal with storm damage to the orchard and
infrastructure.
• Start preparing for pre-harvest clean-up. Orchard floor fanatics make more money.
• Ausmac2022 is just around the corner, register now.
2022 | Australian Macadamia Society | Manual/guide
Key Topics this month include:
• Start monitoring for pest and diseases that impact flowers.
• If you haven’t already done so, book a pest consultant to regularly monitor your orchard.
• As weather warms tree nutrition and water requirements will increase, particularly as flowers have started to emerge so early in the season.
• At the end of harvest season, which for many is still far away, conduct a thorough audit of what needs to be repaired.
• Once you have finished harvesting review your season with your consultant/GLO and decide on post harvest orchard floor repair and canopy management.
• Prepare for the start of a new crop protection season.
• Have an agreement with your beekeeper if you’re bringing managed pollinators into the orchard.
2022 | Price J | Presentation
The global tree nut industry is facing rapidly growing supply, shipping delays and increased freight costs which is leading to increased price pressure. However, there remain many opportunities to promote consumption and drive growth to rebalance supply and demand, including focussing on innovation and new market development. Macadamias account for less than 2 per cent of the world tree nut market, providing both challenges and unique opportunities. The macadamia industry is well placed to meet consumers increasing desires for healthy whole foods, and the Australian marketing program is focussed on inspiring consumers, educating trade customers, and influencing food manufacturers to experience Australian grown macadamias.
2022 | Kojetin L | Presentation
At the July 2022 MacGroups, Industry Development Manager Leoni Kojetin presented information on how to maximise flowering and convert it into high quality nuts. This includes understanding the stages of flowering and factors that influence flower initiation, growth and development into nuts, as well as key inputs required for healthy flowers and nut set.
2022 | Burnett J | Presentation
At the July 2022 MacGroups, AMS CEO Jolyon Burnett presented the findings of an independent survey regarding proposed changes to the AMS membership structure, resourcing and additional training and development opportunities. The survey was conducted by Survey Matters, distributed to 708 members between 23 May and 17 June 2022, and received a total of 268 responses.
2022 | Akinsanmi F | Manual/guide
Flower blights refer to a number of pathogens which can cause significant damage to macadamia flowering. To assist with monitoring and management it is essential to understand the different blights and the conditions in which they are present. As part of the Integrated Disease Management Program for Macadamia, led by the University of Queensland, a risk assessment tool has been developed. This includes visual signs, flower stage susceptibility and importantly temperature and humidity ranges in which each disease proliferates.
2022 | Griffin K | Presentation
Risks to flowering and what can you do to protect your flowers? Can you manage pollination effectiveness and out of season flowering? What does the future look like? Project Support Officer Karina Griffin discussed these questions and more in her July 2022 MacGroup presentation.
2022 | Anon | Manual/guide
To avoid misunderstandings between growers and beekeepers, written, signed pollination agreements may be used to specify the conditions which protect the interests of both parties.
2022 | Wilson R, Wallace H | Manual/guide
Stingless bees are excellent pollinators of macadamia and will forage heavily on macadamia when it is in flower. However stingless bee hives that are left on-farm year round may starve if they do not have access to other food sources when macadamia is not flowering. This guide identifies pollen food sources for stingless bees year-round. We identified major plant sources in the pollen pots of 57 Tetragonula carbonaria colonies over 2 years in orchards and forests in southeast Queensland.
2022 | Australian Macadamia Society | Fact Sheet
During flowering growers are faced with managing both beneficial insects and pest insects. Beneficial insects are crucial for pollination and are a major asset for industry stakeholders (beekeepers). Flower pest insects, such as lace bug or flower caterpillar, can cause extreme yield losses (from 50-90% losses). These factors combine to create a challenging situation for macadamia growers to manage.