The second
edition has finally arrived and regrettably I have received only one item
(thank you Lyn Mcrae) of interest to include from members. However there are a few things to report and
these are detailed below.
Annual General Meeting and
Conference
Some 36 members of the Hazelnut Growers of Australia (HGA)
attended the AGM and Seminar at Rydges Eagle Hawk Resort, which is just out of Canberra,
on 20-21 October.
Highlights from the President’s speech and the general
discussion that followed the conclusion of the formal part of the meeting
included the visit of Jeff Olsen from Oregon in
January 2001. This visit is 50% funded
by Horticulture Australia
and brief details of where and when you can hear him follow in this
newsletter. He is renowned for his
knowledge of management of hazelnut groves, his approachability and general
knowledge of the industry. The visit is
designed to assist growers in obtaining knowledge to further develop their
orchards and it is hoped that as many members as possible will attend at each
location. A separate flyer will be
sent to all members
detailing each seminar and farm walk and your advice of attendance will assist
in catering at each venue.
The Central West Branch (NSW) of the HGA has, through Basil
Baldwin, gained funding of some $27,000 from Commonwealth Regional Assistance
Program (RAP) for a study to identify potential market outlets for
hazelnuts
grown in the area and determine the market preferences for the kernels of the
cultivars which seem to be best suited to this area. It is hoped that this
project will get underway shortly.
A database was brought to the attention of members which
covers any identified plant disease in Australia. It is available on the web at www.apdd.nre.gov.au. A similar database is being developed for
pests.
A plea to the assembled group was made for members to
participate in the HGA’s committees and through this the various government
advisory bodies involved in horticulture. The results of our participation so far include the extension of the quarantine period for
the entry of cultivars from overseas to 18 months and saving nuts from
irradiation which would have destroyed their nutritional value. A point of
interest in relation to the former is that AQIS ( the
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service) had 417 interceptions of nuts in the
last year.
Mention was made of the work that Lester Snare, from NSW
Agriculture, is undertaking in relation to Big Bud Mite in hazelnuts. This pest has been identified in Tasmania
and a number of groves are being tested on the mainland to see if the mite has
crossed Bass Strait. Mention was also made of the lack of suitable
local articles relating to hazels in the journal and the HGA committee has been
considering ways to address this. One
suggestion is employing a journalist to talk to local growers and produce some
articles.
Finally, consideration was given to the list of projects
that the HGA would like to undertake.
Although we do not have a levy for research, some funds are
available. One of the projects on the
list, which met with the approval of those attending, was to see if one or two
of the test groves involved in the research being undertaken by Basil Baldwin
and Lester Snare, could be maintained after the funding for this work comes to
an end.
From the discussions of the group and the input given, the
research committee is reviewing both the priorities and the number of projects
on the list.
On the Sunday morning a presentation by two propagators,
together with details and handouts from two other, provided members with
details of the availability and pricing of various hazelnut cultivars. An interesting discussion concerning
propagation was also undertaken.
Members present had an enjoyable weekend and were able to
discuss common interests and problems and I believe that resulting from the
weekend, members are better equipped to meet the challenges faced in the
orchard.
Board Activities
Your Board met
in Canberra on
20 October and discussing a range of items and courses of action. Subjects of
interest to members included:
·
The
development of a business Plan for the HGA
·
Revision
and reprint of the Hazelnut Growers Handbook
·
Future
farm walks (see below)
·
Committee
representation
Your board
believes that there is a need for more member involvement in the various
activities of the HGA Board. In
particular, members should be involved in the development of the business plan,
the development of future activities, and the review of the grower’s
handbook. There will be vacancies to be
filled at the next AGM and I would urge all members to consider being
involved. I am more than happy to
discuss these roles with any contenders.
Please give me a call.
Functions for Growers in 2002
January
Visit by Jeff Olsen to Australia
Monday 14 Jan. to Wednesday 23 Jan.
(See enclosed
Flyer for details)
April/May
Orange
Farmwalk and workshop.
Date to be advised
July 6/7
Ovens Valley
Farmwalk and workshop on Pruning and cold grafting
September 18-22
ANIC Conference
Pacific Bay
Resort, Coffs Harbour
October 26/27
HGA AGM and Seminar
Bright
Other Items
While it is not intended that this newsletter becomes a venue for ads. I have received a
request from an organization for Hazelnut rods.
For those of you who are not sure what this means the details are as
follows.
Hazelnut rods
are suckers that are a minimum of 1500 mm in length and between 20 and 40 mm in
diameter. They are wanted to make
coracles (baskets or boats) by a voluntary organization. The contact is Gavin Phillips, ph. 02 9810
2172 or email gavin@newsletters.com.au
Conclusion
This
newsletter is intended to provide a means of communication between the Board
and the HGA members. Comments on the
newsletter and articles/information for inclusion are welcomed and should be
addressed to The President, Rex Bean, by phone on 03 5965 2431, or by email to
rex_bean@bigpond.com. However remember,
the Australian Nutgrower Magazine is the main avenue for major articles on
grower experiences with hazelnuts.
