on farm innovations that increase production investing into soil profiling and organic matter to...
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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…...