Mature Orchard Rejuvenation

Macadamia Farm Management

Bundaberg Queensland

History •25yr old trees

• Low yield and quality

•Tree disease issues

•Poor soil health(old soils)

• Low return on investment

Changed Practices • Increased chemical fertiliser

• Increased organic matter

• Increased pruning

• Increased water use

• Increased bee activity

Before - December 2009

After - October 2011

Value of the Sun=$$$$???

The Sun= More Value than all other inputs

THE PLUG HOLE SYNDROME

Improvements = Results • Increase in YIELD

• Increase in QUALITY

• Increase in soil HEALTH

• Increase in tree HEALTH

• Decrease in PHYTOPHTHORA

25 Year Old Trees

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Farm A - NIS @ 10%

T/ha

25 Year Old Trees

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Farm B - NIS @ 10%

T/ha

25 Year Old Trees

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Farm C NIS @ 10%

T/ha

Conclusion • Increase sun through regular pruning

(Little and Often)

• Improve soil health through consistent applications of organic matter

• Maintain chemical fertilisers

(Little & Often)

(Finding the Balance)

“No Silver Bullet”

Time + Money + Hard Work = Returns

• Total project is a long term carefully thought out process.

• Total rejuvenation costs = $1200/ha

This equates to 400 kg NIS per hectare…...