Growing smart orchard systems for the future

Almond growers in Australia are set to benefit from the introduction of smarter, more efficient orchard systems designed for local conditions. The goal - to help growers boost yields, use resources more effectively, and build resilience for the future. 

The project, funded by Hort Innovation, builds on five years of research across multiple initiatives and will be co-designed by industry. It also responds to increasing interest in planting almond varieties that can pollinate themselves, especially within orchards where Nonpareil, the most widely grown variety, is dominant. 

Anthony Kachenko, General Manager, Sustainability and Production R&D at Hort Innovation said the project was an important evolution to ensure orchard systems are meeting the needs of Australian growers. “This project is about giving almond growers the tools they need to grow smarter. By tailoring orchard design to local conditions, we’re helping the industry lift productivity, reduce waste, and build a more sustainable future.” 

Australian almond production has traditionally followed the Californian model, with low-density plantings and large tree canopies. This approach can present challenges including high water demand, low early yields, and canopy-related limitations. 

Research has shown that traditional orchard layouts with fewer trees per hectare are showing signs of inefficiency. New evidence suggests that some almond types thrive when planted more densely, while others do better with more space. By mixing different tree types and planting patterns within the same orchard, growers may be able to improve overall productivity and make their systems more adaptable over time. 

Field trials will take place at the Almond Centre of Excellence (ACE) and a commercial orchard with heavier soils. These trials will explore how different almond varieties respond to water, nutrients, and orchard management techniques. The findings will help build practical guidelines for growers and give the industry confidence to adopt new approaches. 

The project will be delivered by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) through Flinders University, working closely with and Plant & Food Research Australia Pty Ltd (PFR). Together, the consortium will build on existing research to develop orchard systems that better suit Australian conditions and support long-term industry sustainability. 

Tim Pitt, Associate Professor at Flinders University and Sub-program Leader at SARDI explained: “Almond growers in Australia face very different conditions to those in California or Spain. This project is about designing orchard systems that reflect our local environment, labour costs, and varietal mix. By testing new layouts and resource strategies, we’re aiming to help growers get better results from the ground up.” 

By combining cutting-edge research with practical field trials, Hort Innovation and its partners aim to deliver a new generation of almond orchard systems that are productive, sustainable, and built for Australian conditions. 

This initiative is funded through the almond research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government, SARDI and PFR.