Harvest
Comment
At this time of
year most members should either be completing their harvest by now or right in
the middle of the best time of the year – hard work but reaping the benefits of
the past 12 months work. From the
reports I have received and my observations during travelling around the
country with Jeff Olsen, this year should see the hazelnut harvest to be the
best yet. While still small by every
other country’s standards, if we reach 50 tonne that will represent a large
advance for Australia, and an indication that the increased
planting of rootstocks is starting to pay off.
In this respect,
the HGA board has deemed it desirable that we gather statistics on both growers orchards and their harvests. The reasons for this are twofold. We need to have accurate statistics to ensure
that we can argue the case for support for the industry, whether it be financial or otherwise, with correct facts, figures and
forecasts. The second reason is that
some of the fees that ANIC pays for nut
industry membership of various bodies is divided proportionally between each of
the commodity groups based on total annual harvest figures. In this respect we
need to have an accurate figure for harvest to ensure that we not only pay our
fair share of the fees but also that we are not over paying if harvest is poor. I believe that it is essential that all
members provide honest and true figures for their harvest to ensure the support
and progression of both the HGA and ANIC.
I seek your co-operation in answering the questions in the survey and
forwarding them to the secretary as soon as possible. Information gathered will be collated and
presented at the AGM in Bright in October.
No individual
statistics will be divulged and all information will be held in secure storage.
Jeff
Olsen Visit
The visit of
Jeff Olsen was well publicised with considerable press and radio coverage being
achieved. While most seminars and farm
walks were well attended, it was disappointing that so many members were unable
to get to the events. While the timing
was not the best, such visits are few and far between and members should take
advantage of them when they occur. I
hope the articles in the Australian Nutgrower will whet your appetites for
further such events when the board can arrange them.
Board
Activities
The HGA board
met in Melbourne on 23 March last and determined that the
AGM and seminar in Bright on October 26 and 27 this
year will follow a similar format to last year.
Additionally, presentations are planned on research projects, such as
rootstock identification and a pest management guide for hazelnuts, a proposed
trial plot for future trials, the statistics gathered from the survey, and the
forecast and actual results obtained in a long term study of yield of a large
hazelnut grove. Farm visits are also
intended and possibly a visit to the trial plot at Ovens Research Station.
Mark this
weekend in your diary so that you can share in the experience and meet with
other growers.
The board is
aiming to finish the business plan for the HGA and publish it on the web site: www.hazelnuts.org.au as soon as possible and this will also be
discussed at the Seminar.
Harvest
tips
Now that you are
all harvesting and
preparing to sell
your hazelnuts it is important to follow through with the correct post harvest
activities.
Nuts should be
dried correctly to between 5 and 8% moisture content, as detailed in the
grower’s handbook, and then stored in a cool and dry environment. Hession bags or similar materials allow air
circulation and will maintain the nuts in good condition before they are
sold. The use of plastic bags will make
the nuts sweat and the end result will be mould and spoilt product. The nuts should be sorted into varieties,
with blanks and stained or marked nuts removed. Any cracked or bird damaged
nuts should also be removed. The nuts
should then be graded by size. Customers
will obviously pay more for large nuts, but if you have done your market research
you will know exactly what each of your customers wants.
If you intend to
crack your nuts and sell kernel, it is important to ensure that the finished
kernel is clean, free of stained nuts and obviously free of any spoiled
kernel. Labeling requirements in most
states clearly state the need for you to identify the variety of nut, the
weight, and the sellers name and address.
This is also a requirement of the HGA of its members.
The aim of all
this is to ensure that the customer gets good product, you the seller get a
good reputation, and that you both benefit by meeting in the following year to
undertake more trade.
Use
of Chemicals
Members should
be aware that the use of chemicals is now regulated in most states. These regulations require that the user must
complete a course of instruction in the correct use of chemicals before using
any chemicals on a farm. This course
includes information about the use of protective clothing required to be worn
and provides practical experience in the correct use of chemicals. Additionally, the application of chemicals to
crops is limited to those registered with the National Registration Authority
for use on a particular crop.
In the case of
Hazelnuts, the HGA has registration permits for members to use the chemicals
Simazine, Copper-oxychloride, Paraquat and Diquat. This information is provided in the interests
of growers and consumers since it is both your health, and that of the
consumer, that may be affected by the incorrect use of chemicals
Coming
Events
The two farm
walks coming up in the Orange and Bright areas will provide for an
interesting exchange of information on both days.
In Orange you will have the opportunity to visit two
farms both of which impressed Jeff Olsen and which I believe have not been seen
by most members. The opportunity to view
post harvest equipment that is not beyond the reach of any grower and to
discuss the ways and means of achieving the best results for your hazelnut
sales should not be missed.
In Bright the emphasis will be on cold
grafting and pruning and these events will be conducted at Peter Wheelright’s
property. Richard Salt, a nurseryman who
has supplied most of Peter’s trees, will be in attendance to demonstrate his
cold grafting techniques, while Peter will demonstrate the art of being brave
and cutting off timber that might bear nuts in the following year. Because the event is spread over two days we
hope to be able to gather everyone together for a convivial night at one of the
many eating houses in Bright on the Saturday evening.
Functions for Growers in 2002
May - Orange
Farm walk and workshop.
May 4 - see enclosed flyer
July 6-7 - Ovens Valley
(Bright)
Farm walk and workshop on Pruning and Cold Grafting – see
enclosed flyer
October 9-12 Coffs Harbour, NSW
ANIC Conference - Pacific Bay
Resort (see Australian Nutgrower for details)
October 26/27 - Bright
HGA AGM and Seminar
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/Fax on 03 5965 2431, or by email
to rex_bean@bigpond.com.
