What was it all about?

From 2016 to 2021, this investment enhanced innovation and technology adoption and facilitated capacity building in the Australian macadamia industry. The five-year project was delivered during a time of significant industry expansion. In 2016, it consisted of about 650 growers and 17,000 ha planted to macadamias; in 2021 this had increased to about 800 growers and 32,500 ha (approx. 25,000 ha bearing). It is projected that by 2025 there will be 45,000 ha under macadamias in Australia. 

It supported the role and activities of a dedicated macadamia industry productivity development manager (MIPDM), who was responsible for undertaking constant engagement with growers and the wider industry, the management of emerging issues, and the identification and development of new opportunities for the industry. Activities included MacGroup workshops, regular grower and consultant meetings, trips and field days, and the production of communication materials, such as videos and industry publications.

The extension strategy recognised the significant range of skills and background across the industry by using a peer learning approach, where experienced growers could share learnings and best practices with less experienced growers.

Its whole-of-industry approach included growers, agency staff, processor grower liaison officers, industry consultants and value chain suppliers to ensure consistency. Key strategic issues were identified and managed in a way for best uptake of research outcomes and to meet the changing needs of an expanding industry.

All these activities were supported by various projects, state agencies and a range of other resources. In particular, the project worked very closely with Australian macadamia industry communications program (MC18000).

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Visit the Australian Macadamia Society website to access information and resources

Watch these videos developed by the project team, covering a wide range of topics:

• Grass management preview with grass expert Matt Roche (3 min)
• Tree shaker preview with Dan Manson, macadamia product improvement consultant from Sunfarm (2 min)
• Tree water relations with Daniel Manson and Theunis Smit (24 min)
• 2019 tree water relations course, Yamba – Understanding macadamia water transpiration (2h 44m)
• 2019 tree water relations course, Bundaberg – Irrigation Scheduling (1h 25m)
• Nut quality, MacGroup 2020 presentation with Mark Penter (32 min)
• Ethephon use in challenging environmental conditions, MacGroup 2020 presentation with Mark Penter (34 min)
• Spray coverage issues for how to assess and achieve optimal coverage in macadamia orchards (15 mins)

Download and use these fact sheets and brochures (available to registered levy payers):

• Anemometers, Wind Meters & Weather Stations
• Bee Management Tips During Flowering
• Coverage, Calibration, Timing: Get them right for effective pest and disease management – Updated
• Floodplain Orchard Development
• Macadamia farm biosecurity
• Manage and Monitor Mistletoe
• Managing Macadamia Seed Weevil
• New Nursery Tree Standards
• Rat Control: An Integrated Regional Approach

Read updates on IPDM strategies and research in editions of the Australian Macadamia Society News Bulletin.

Meet the growers from top performing farms that use best management practices:

• Bruce & Pam – Sunshine Coast, Qld
• Garry & Andrea – Gympie, Qld
• Jason & Fiona – Bundaberg, Qld
• Peter – Rosebank, NSW
• Scott – Cambewarra, NSW