The Macadamia - Autumn 2019
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LOWVELD<br />
ORCHARD<br />
MANAGERS<br />
SHINE<br />
&#$/%<br />
KZN MAC<br />
EXPORTS<br />
ON GROWTH<br />
PATH<br />
THE ART OF<br />
EXPERT TREE<br />
MANIPULATION<br />
<strong>Autumn</strong> <strong>2019</strong><br />
INSECTICIDES
PRODUCERS OF GUARANTEED HIGH QUALITY MACADAMIA TREES<br />
GLOBALGAP - SAMAC<br />
TREES AVAILABLE FOR <strong>2019</strong> SEASON<br />
CONTACT MOUNTAINVIEW NURSERY<br />
Kiepersol, Mpumalanga<br />
orders@mountainviewnursery.co.za<br />
Stefan (M) 071 608 9151<br />
From<br />
the<br />
Editor<br />
Gareth Wright<br />
News coming out of South<br />
Africa’s macadamia industry<br />
remains hugely positive.<br />
Despite a turbulent year predicted for the rand which could<br />
impact on returns, the increasing global demand for the<br />
crop has meant the price is predicted to exceed last year’s<br />
offering according to processors Mayo Macs and the Green<br />
Farms Nut Company (GFNC) which met with shareholders<br />
and farmers across the country during scheduled pre-season<br />
road shows.<br />
Mayo Macs announced a major partnership with a<br />
pasteurisation group in the United States in line with their<br />
growth strategy into the high-end kernel export market and<br />
hopes to continue to break into niche markets particularly<br />
in the USA, Europe, Japan and South Korea where<br />
consumer demand for kernel has grown by 9% since about<br />
2017. <strong>The</strong> marketing companies for both Mayo Macs and<br />
GFNC have warned that the ever-increasing demand for<br />
South Africa’s macadamia nuts worldwide means farmers<br />
and processors have to make sure their businesses are<br />
“ready for the future”.<br />
In this edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Macadamia</strong>, you will read about how<br />
KwaZulu-Natal’s largest macadamia nursery, T&T Agric<br />
at Ifafa Beach on the South Coast, has more than doubled<br />
its output of micro-grafted macadamia trees as farmers in<br />
Zambia, Malawi and northern Mozambique plough out<br />
their maize and soya crops in favour of the development of<br />
macadamia orchards. In Zambia where soil is fertile, the<br />
land flat and water plentiful, farmers are planting up to<br />
100ha of macadamia orchards at a go, compared with the<br />
average of about 10ha planted by South African farmers<br />
at any one time. Colin Rand, the horticulture managing<br />
partner at T&T Agric is also on a drive to halve the price<br />
of young macadamia trees to make it easier for sugarcane<br />
farmers to finance the diversification of their operations as<br />
the sugar industry outlook remains bleak on the back of the<br />
increased Health Promotions Levy and the record low sugar<br />
price on world markets. We also highlight a programme<br />
developed by Lowveld farmers to train young graduates to<br />
meet the growing demand for top management skills in the<br />
sector. <strong>The</strong> programme - called Recruitagri - has recently<br />
accepted its second group of interns with learning geared<br />
towards both practical and theoretical training to make sure<br />
the youngsters are work-ready once they complete the yearlong<br />
course. <strong>The</strong>n there are technical articles covering topics<br />
such as farming for increased nut quality, precision drainage<br />
in the orchard and the issue of iron deficiency in the soil.<br />
Mpumalanga expert and consultant, Kobus van Niekerk<br />
outlines how tree growth can be manipulated to prevent<br />
structural weaknesses and breakages once the tree matures<br />
and starts to yield.<br />
At the start of the new season our hope for all those<br />
involved in the industry is that the current positivity<br />
continues and grows into the years ahead. We hope<br />
our readers enjoy this edition as much as we have<br />
putting it together.<br />
WWW.MOUNTAINVIEWNURSERY.CO.ZA
Colleen Dardagan<br />
Contributing Author<br />
34<br />
Contents<br />
04 Innovation Leads to<br />
Substantial Growth<br />
of <strong>Macadamia</strong> Tree<br />
Exports to Zambia<br />
Lindi Botha<br />
Contributing Author<br />
Editor<br />
Gareth Wright<br />
072 223 3498<br />
gareth@blockmedia.co.za<br />
04<br />
10 Mbombela Fabrication Plant<br />
Sets <strong>The</strong> Quality Bar<br />
12 Take Cover:<br />
Protect Your Resources<br />
With Cover Crops<br />
16 Mayo Macs<br />
Breaks New Ground<br />
With US Partnership<br />
JP Hughes<br />
Contributing Author<br />
Laura Myers<br />
Advertising<br />
Advertising<br />
Laura Myers<br />
083 271 5243<br />
laura@macadamiasa.co.za<br />
www.themacadamia.co.za<br />
Cover Image<br />
T&T Agric nursery manager,<br />
Mhlengi Sibiya holds a micrografted<br />
macadamia tree which is<br />
destined for export to Zambia.<br />
Image: Colleen Dardagan<br />
This publication is<br />
protected by copyright law.<br />
No part of this publication<br />
may be reproduced in any way<br />
without the permission and<br />
acknowledgement of Block<br />
Media. Opinions expressed<br />
do not necessarily represent<br />
the views of Block Media<br />
or the publishers.<br />
Published By<br />
Block Media<br />
Po Box 1501<br />
Simbithi, Ballito<br />
4390<br />
Printed By<br />
12<br />
10<br />
28<br />
20 Combatting Iron<br />
Deficiencies In<br />
<strong>Macadamia</strong> Orchards:<br />
Solutions For A<br />
Complex Phenomena<br />
24 Practical Training<br />
Grows Mac Farm<br />
Manager Skills<br />
28 Get <strong>The</strong> Most Bang<br />
For Your Buck<br />
With Higher Crackouts<br />
30 Reduce Waterlogging Through<br />
Subsurface Drainage<br />
And Increase Tree Health & Yield<br />
34 Misunderstanding<br />
Sapling Manipulation<br />
Puts Mature Mac Trees At Risk<br />
Elizabeth-Ann Bradley<br />
Design & Layout<br />
a Novus<br />
Holdings<br />
Company<br />
30<br />
20<br />
38 Nuts & Bolts<br />
GFNC Price Offer<br />
Up By 20% in <strong>2019</strong><br />
2 THE MACADAMIA
Innovation<br />
Leads To<br />
Substantial<br />
Growth<br />
Of <strong>Macadamia</strong> Tree<br />
Exports To Zambia<br />
A prediction a year ago by nurseryman<br />
Colin Rand that the demand for<br />
South African-grown macadamia trees<br />
would take off in the SA Development<br />
Countries region has become a reality,<br />
evidenced by thousands of trees from his<br />
business in Ifafa Beach on the KwaZulu-<br />
Natal South Coast already growing on<br />
the banks of Zambia’s Kafue River.<br />
Article & Images<br />
Colleen Dardagan<br />
With more than 30 000 macadamia nut trees delivered<br />
to Zambia and another 90 000 ordered between now<br />
and the end of the year, managing partner at T&T Agric<br />
Colin Rand says opportunities in regions to the north of<br />
South Africa are “infinite”. Rand said exporting trees to<br />
Zambia, Malawi and northern Mozambique offered new<br />
opportunities for South Africa’s burgeoning macadamia<br />
sector, particularly in the export of trees and making SA<br />
technical expertise available to the new growers in the<br />
Southern African Development Countries (SADC). Rand<br />
added that offering macadamia trees at a more affordable<br />
price for potential farmers in South Africa was a priority for<br />
him between now and next year. “My ultimate vision is to<br />
supply macadamia tree nurseries in this country with micrografted<br />
trees to grow out. Our trees cost R30 for a micrografted<br />
tree and R60 for a ready-to-plant unit. What I really<br />
want is for the cost per tree to come down - so I want to<br />
halve the price of the trees, and I am hoping to achieve that<br />
goal over the next 18 months,” he said.<br />
4<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
5
<strong>The</strong> main motivation behind this plan was not only to<br />
make high quality micro-grafted trees available to sugarcane<br />
growers in the province who were yet to make the change to<br />
the nut crop due to the high orchard start-up costs, but to<br />
increase the number of trees for export to the SADC region.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> problem with the sugar industry in KwaZulu-Natal<br />
is everyone wants to convert to macadamias,” said Rand.<br />
“What we must do is reduce our costs per unit and have<br />
trees available at such a lucrative price it won’t deter cane<br />
growers who haven’t got macs in the ground yet to be able<br />
to fund and finance their conversion.”<br />
EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES<br />
Rand, who took over the running of the nursery just 18<br />
months ago, has grown the operation from 240 000 trees<br />
under cover to more than 500 000, with plans to more<br />
than double that number by next year. “<strong>The</strong> Zambia pie on<br />
its own is huge. We have farmers there planting 100ha at<br />
a time compared with here, where growers are putting in<br />
macadamias at 10ha at a time,” he said.<br />
Climatic conditions in Zambia are not as ideal as along<br />
the coast, but most of the farms planting the T&T Agric<br />
trees are along the Kafue River, where the soils are rich and<br />
fertile. “<strong>The</strong> quality of the nuts is affected by altitude. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
have a more intensive growing season and milder winters,<br />
but their biggest challenge is a very dry spring. That is the<br />
hottest time of the year there - September, October and<br />
November - so that will affect the late flowering varieties,<br />
like the Beaumonts and A4s, to a point. But what they do<br />
have is a lot of water for irrigation from the Kafue River.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> trees are transported to Zambia in refrigerated trucks<br />
and can take anything from a week to nine days to arrive on<br />
the farms. “<strong>The</strong> problem with putting them into a normal<br />
truck is if the driver parks the truck or the vehicle breaks<br />
down, the trees will cook. For example, during this last<br />
trip the load was delayed at the Livingstone border post for<br />
three days. Without the refrigerated truck we would have<br />
had to make a plan to water the trees. Instead, condensation<br />
was happening by itself inside the reefer. In fact, the bags<br />
were wet when they arrived in Zambia. I think seven trees<br />
died in-field, so not one was affected by the trip,”<br />
Rand said.<br />
Right T&T Horticulture<br />
managing partner Colin<br />
Rand shows vigorous<br />
root growth on a young<br />
macadamia tree.<br />
Below Left Colin Rand<br />
discusses operations at<br />
KwaZulu-Natal’s largest<br />
macadamia nursery with its<br />
manager, Mhlengi Sibiya.<br />
Below Middle Nurseryman<br />
Colin Rand shows the paper<br />
bags used for the young<br />
macadamia trees once they<br />
have been micro-grafted.<br />
Below Right<br />
A young macadamia<br />
tree rooted using the<br />
tip of a new shoot.<br />
Maximising the load, while at the same time avoiding<br />
overloading, had resulted in a unique innovation developed<br />
at the nursery. “We fabricated special tables to maximise<br />
our load space in the truck. <strong>The</strong> tables, which we have<br />
called maxi-plan pallets, allow us to double the available<br />
floor space. And because we have used paper bags for the<br />
micro-grafted trees – which are about 40cm tall when they<br />
travel, or eight months old from seed - and our specially<br />
formulated lightweight substrate, we have brought the<br />
weight of the load right down. Also sending young trees<br />
that have been in bags for a shorter space of time means<br />
they are able to grow with juvenile vigour once they are<br />
planted, because the units are not pot-bound, and they<br />
haven’t developed the bonsai effect.”<br />
6<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
7
Above Nursery staffer Nogeziwe Qoze<br />
works on a micro-grafted tree.<br />
Above Right Thousands of young macadamia trees in the T&T<br />
Agric nursery at Ifafa Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.<br />
HIGH STANDARDS<br />
<strong>The</strong> paperwork linked to the export process starts with<br />
the customers in Zambia first acquiring an import permit<br />
from the Zambian Department of Agriculture. On receipt<br />
of the import permit number, South Africa’s Department<br />
of Agriculture will visit the Ifafa Beach nursery to inspect<br />
the load before issuing the necessary transit paper work.<br />
Officials check for root pathogens, noxious weeds and the<br />
presence of specific insects. “We are accredited with the<br />
Seedling Growers’ Association of South Africa (SGASA)<br />
and the South African <strong>Macadamia</strong> Growers’ Association<br />
(SAMAC), so the process is not so bad for us. Accreditation<br />
means we keep our standards very high. We conform to the<br />
stipulated criteria linked to phyto-sanitary requirements<br />
set down by SGASA. Our water growing medium is also<br />
sent regularly to the Quality Management Services (QMS)<br />
laboratory as prescribed by the accreditation audit,” he<br />
said. <strong>The</strong> growing medium used by the nursery is coco<br />
coir. “<strong>The</strong> way we are propagating trees allows us to cut<br />
our turnaround time by at least half while being able to<br />
supply robust and healthy units,” said Rand. But there<br />
are challenges, he added. “Compared with local clients,<br />
especially those in our area, where we can send the units<br />
that are ready and then wait before sending the rest, for<br />
export, the entire load of 10 000 trees has to be up to<br />
specification all at the same time. We are new exporters, this<br />
last load was only our third, and it really was very stressful.<br />
Also, it takes an entire day, from 6am to 7pm, to load the<br />
truck using my whole labour force of 45 people. It is a slow<br />
and laborious process as each tree has to be packed nicely so<br />
it isn’t damaged. We are also the only commercial nursery<br />
exporting micro-grafted trees grown out in substrate. What<br />
this has allowed us to do, though, is greatly reduce the<br />
timeline and to be able to transport a far lighter product.”<br />
REFINING SYSTEMS<br />
<strong>The</strong> father of three, who spends time in his vegetable<br />
garden to relieve the stress of his working day, believes the<br />
macadamia industry will be the saving grace for KwaZulu-<br />
Natal’s agriculture economy.<br />
“My order book is more than full. I am<br />
getting calls from all over every day for trees.<br />
<strong>The</strong> challenge in the nursery now is to refine<br />
our systems because we want to expand<br />
again. We are doubling our labour force<br />
and looking to halve the price of the trees.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are a lot of balls in the air and I<br />
cannot afford to drop one, because if I do,<br />
then my customers lose money and time.<br />
We are working on computer systems to<br />
guide us in relation to timelines because<br />
ultimately, I want to be in a position that<br />
when a farmer phones me for trees,<br />
I have stock available on the floor in the<br />
nursery immediately for him. <strong>The</strong>re is just<br />
no room for error now.” - Colin Rand<br />
8<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
9
Mbombela<br />
Fabrication Plant<br />
Sets <strong>The</strong> Quality Bar<br />
With his experience reaching as far<br />
back as his school days, Vincent Allan,<br />
who is the founder and owner of the<br />
Mpumalanga-based MacMachines, says<br />
the demand for high quality and madeto-spec<br />
plant for macadamia processing<br />
operations has resulted in deliveries as<br />
far afield as northern Mozambique with<br />
countries such as Malawi and Zambia<br />
looking to place orders.<br />
Article Colleen Dardagan<br />
Image Supplied<br />
As South Africa’s macadamia industry is set to more than<br />
double its production over the next five years and farmers<br />
across the country’s sugarcane growing regions continue<br />
to replace the crop with macadamia orchards, demand<br />
for high-quality machining is now at a premium. Vincent<br />
Allan who first opened his own steel-fabrication business<br />
in Tzaneen in 2004 said he started to feel the demand for<br />
macadamia processing equipment in about 2008. As a<br />
result, he had moved his business to Mbombela in 2015 to<br />
be closer to his main customers. “Most of my orders are still<br />
coming in from the Mpumalanga region but orders have<br />
definitely increased from farmers in KwaZulu-Natal. We<br />
are also seeing interest starting to grow from macadamia<br />
operations in Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia,” Allan<br />
said. One of his biggest challenges, he said, was two years<br />
ago when his business was commissioned to build a 660-ton<br />
drying facility in Mpumalanga. “<strong>The</strong> area made available<br />
for the facility was in a basement with lots of pillars.<br />
That meant we had to fit 66x10 ton drying bins with 23<br />
conveyors into a very unusual floor space. That was quite<br />
a challenge because everything had to work seamlessly<br />
and without interruption to the flow of the nuts through<br />
the processing plant. I think we must have had about 25<br />
meetings with the farmer during the design process,”<br />
he said.<br />
With a staff complement of 21 people, all of them highly<br />
skilled and trained, Allan said there was now virtually<br />
nothing he couldn’t build for processing macadamia nuts.<br />
“I do all the drawings myself using a computer aided design<br />
system. Once the drawings are completed and approved by<br />
the customer I will then sit with my staff and discuss the<br />
build. I have three teams filled with very experienced people<br />
- some of whom have worked with me from the beginning -<br />
to those who are being trained on the job. If the design<br />
is something new or unusual I will work very closely with<br />
the teams on the project however, the fact is my work force<br />
is very capable,” he added. Allan, who started designing<br />
and making “all types” of steel work when he was still at<br />
school said he believed very strongly in supporting South<br />
African businesses.<br />
Above A de-husking plant delivered to<br />
a Malawi macadamia processing plant.<br />
“All the steel we use we get from local<br />
suppliers. I am sure we could get it cheaper<br />
somewhere else, but I believe in supporting my<br />
neighbouring businesses because not only does<br />
that make sure we have a vibrant economy,<br />
but they support me in return,” said Allan.<br />
10<br />
THE MACADAMIA
Above Right Cover crops, like grasses planted between tree rows, vastly aid in moisture retention and soil health.<br />
Above Left Bare ridges can’t absorb rainwater and have low soil moisture retention.<br />
Take<br />
Cover:<br />
Protect<br />
Your<br />
Resources<br />
With Cover Crops<br />
Article & Images<br />
Lindi Botha<br />
Planting cover crops in macadamia orchards<br />
has innumerable benefits, including water<br />
savings, improved soil health, and trees that<br />
are less prone to stress - ultimately resulting in<br />
greater yields and profitability.<br />
Pristine orchards that are swept clean, without a weed in<br />
sight, might seem like the perfect farm. But dry, exposed<br />
soils and a lack of biodiversity hinder optimal production,<br />
resulting in higher water and pesticide usage. Planting<br />
grasses and legumes between tree rows is a solution to these<br />
problems and comes with a host of other benefits.<br />
Freddie Steyn, an agent for Barenbrug, said cover crops can<br />
be used to improve soil moisture retention and stabilise soil<br />
temperatures, which results in trees that are less stressed.<br />
“Cover crops that produce flowers also attract bees and<br />
will keep pollinators on the farm throughout the year.<br />
Since cover crops aid in developing biological life in the<br />
soil, soil health improves and fertiliser requirements drop.”<br />
He explained that if micro-organisms in the soil flourish,<br />
then much of the work in getting the soil to its optimum<br />
level is done for you. “Since many of the nutrients in<br />
the soil are not in a form that is available to the tree, the<br />
organisms are needed to help break it down into one that is<br />
easily absorbed. “It is therefore important to nurture these<br />
organisms that create a healthier soil. Soil analysis can tell<br />
you what nutrients are lacking but you can’t necessarily see<br />
what the biological life is - I think many farmers would get<br />
a fright if they saw how low it was, as a result of constant<br />
chemical applications from pesticides to fertilisers.”<br />
12<br />
Above Cover crops that produce flowers are ideal to keep bees in the orchards.<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong> 13
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COVER<br />
Steyn said different cover crops serve different purposes<br />
and farmers should consider their ultimate goal before<br />
choosing which to plant. “If your aim is to increase soil<br />
moisture retention then you need plants that produce a lot<br />
of mulching material, like lucerne or any summer grasses.<br />
However, since the trees will eventually grow to a point<br />
where there will be little sun beneath the trees, grasses<br />
that grow in shade must be considered.” While Australian<br />
farmers favour LM grass, as it is ideal not only for its<br />
shade tolerance but its compatibility with mechanised<br />
harvesting operations, Steyn said the cost of planting this<br />
grass in an orchard is significant. A budget-friendly option<br />
is Paspalum Notatum, as it is also shade tolerant and won’t<br />
affect tree growth. This grass can be cut and left under the<br />
trees to form a thick mulch layer. For farmers requiring<br />
assistance with nitrogen corrections in the soil, cover crops<br />
like legumes and clover should be planted. Steyn said<br />
macadamia roots are very deep, but the 80% that takes up<br />
nutrients is in the top 20cm layer of soil. “So you want<br />
your nutrients that are deeper to be brought to the surface.<br />
This is where legumes are beneficial: with their deep root<br />
system, they assist in accessing nutrients deep in the soil<br />
and bring them to the surface for the tree to use. “Lucerne<br />
also draws nutrients out of the soil, but is not removed<br />
from the field when it is cut; instead, being rather left as a<br />
mulch layer so the nutrients are still available in the soil.”<br />
He added that with macadamia land preparation, the soils<br />
are only ripped once so there is only one opportunity to<br />
loosen the soils. “With cover crops that have deep roots you<br />
have a continual opportunity to improve your soil structure<br />
and reduce compaction. Perennial grasses and chicory are<br />
ideal for this.” While cover crops aid in weed suppression,<br />
there is still work to be done to maintain a balance between<br />
allowing cover crops to flourish and eliminating problematic<br />
weeds. Steyn added that while certain weeds can be left in<br />
the orchard, anything that interferes with macadamia tree<br />
growth should be removed, like climbers or anything using<br />
a lot of water. “This is when farmers need brush cutters<br />
to keep the weeds at bay. Unfortunately it requires more<br />
effort, but is necessary to get the benefits of the cover crops.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are challenges with this system, but the benefits far<br />
outweigh the problems.” During the harvesting season, said<br />
Steyn, the cover crops need to be kept as short as possible<br />
to allow for nut collection. “In March, before harvest starts,<br />
the area will need to be mowed. Any new growth emerging<br />
after that needs to be sprayed with a soft chemical that just<br />
burns the tips, without completely killing the plant. After<br />
the harvesting season, the cover crops will grow out again.”<br />
WATER SAVINGS<br />
Reduced water availability has been a reality for many<br />
farmers over the past few years as the drought has taken<br />
its toll on available water for irrigation, and soil moisture<br />
levels. Steyn said that by using cover crops, the effects of<br />
climate change can be mitigated. “With water restrictions<br />
and the increase in demand as more trees come into<br />
production, farmers might end up halving their yield if the<br />
trees do not get sufficient water. But through mulching, you<br />
can quarter the amount of irrigation needed for a crop.<br />
<strong>The</strong> cover crops do draw moisture as well, but the cover<br />
is still better for soil moisture retention than having a<br />
bare piece of soil.” He noted that for every 1% of organic<br />
material added to the soil, an additional 17mm of rain is<br />
retained in the soil. This equates to 170 000 litre of water<br />
per hectare. “Additionally, through the increase in water<br />
retention, soil temperatures are kept more stable, which is<br />
crucial to reduce stress in the trees. During high summer<br />
temperatures they take a lot of strain, which results in the<br />
November flower drop. This has a big impact on the yield,<br />
so if the drop can be prevented it will have a big effect on<br />
your bottom line. “November flower drop is one of the<br />
biggest challenges we face, so the less stress your trees are<br />
under during that time of year, the better.” Steyn said that<br />
because of climate change, the eastern part of the country<br />
will not get less rain, but it will fall within shorter periods,<br />
so the soil needs to be able to handle downpours and the<br />
farm must be geared to make the best of it - not have<br />
it wash away all your soil and with it, the money spent<br />
on nutrients for topsoil. For this reason, bare ridges are<br />
problematic as they are completely exposed to the rain.<br />
“Each drop that falls on the ground is like a hammer that<br />
hardens the soil, making it even less likely to absorb the<br />
water. <strong>The</strong> water just runs down the sides and doesn’t reach<br />
the shallow roots contained in the ridges. This is why cover<br />
crops are needed to ‘soften the blow’ of the rain, and ensure<br />
it is absorbed.”<br />
BIODIVERSITY<br />
In areas where macadamia farming is conducive, the crop<br />
has dominated the landscape, creating a monoculture<br />
and reducing biodiversity. Steyn said cover crops<br />
provide a partial solution to the problem, which, if<br />
planted throughout the orchards, can drastically increase<br />
biodiversity.<br />
“By planting a variety of cover crops you<br />
create a biodiverse environment where<br />
numerous insects - many of which prey on<br />
insects that are harmful for macadamias -<br />
can flourish. So to a large extent the insect<br />
problem within the orchards sorts itself out<br />
and you don’t require excessive amounts<br />
of insecticides, which ultimately kill the<br />
harmful and beneficial insects,” said Steyn.<br />
Bees, and thereby pollination and fruit set, also benefit<br />
from cover crops as there is more food for them to forage<br />
throughout the year. Steyn said specific cover crops can<br />
be planted in the orchards to provide food for bees. In<br />
addition, herbs like lavender can be planted adjacent to<br />
orchards to provide ample flowers for them. Planting cover<br />
crops is a long term plan that requires additional effort,<br />
he concluded. However, it is a solution to the problems<br />
farmers are already facing in terms of water supply, insect<br />
load, pollination problems and November flower drop. “It<br />
is not a quick fix and farmers should consider starting with<br />
one block at a time to get the management routine in place<br />
and compare the outcomes with other blocks to see firsthand<br />
the benefits in cover crops.”<br />
14<br />
THE MACADAMIA
Mayo Macs<br />
Breaks New<br />
Ground<br />
With US Partnership<br />
Mayo Macs has announced a landmark<br />
joint venture partnership with a United<br />
States-based nut pasteurisation company<br />
as the South African processor looks to<br />
extend its reputation for top quality<br />
kernel exports able to meet stringent<br />
international food safety regulations.<br />
Article Colleen Dardagan<br />
Images Colleen Dardagan & Supplied<br />
Above <strong>The</strong> Mayo Macs team following the recent shareholder<br />
meeting held at the Chantilly Resort outside Darnall on the<br />
KwaZulu-Natal north coast. From left back, John Osborn,<br />
Johan Smit, Sarah-Jane Stewart, Myles Osborn, Jaap van<br />
Oenen, Stuart Gregory. From left front, David McIlrath,<br />
Cobus Venter, PJ Venter, Andrew Sheard, Rohan Orford<br />
Top <strong>The</strong> pasteurisation processing plant in Houston Texas<br />
where all the kernel exported by South Africa’s Mayo Macs<br />
will be processed to meet stringent food safety standards before<br />
being delivered to clients across the globe.<br />
A salmonella outbreak linked to almonds processed in<br />
California in the early 2000s reportedly led to a discovery<br />
that the risk of pathogens on tree nuts was much higher<br />
than previously believed. With the increased focus on food<br />
safety, there is a growing demand for nuts pasteurised at a<br />
log 5 reduction of salmonella strains in the US market.<br />
Since its inception the South African processor Mayo Macs<br />
has focused extensively on the export of top quality kernel,<br />
and with the predicted growth of the domestic nut-in-shell<br />
market in China, the grower-shareholder group has bedded<br />
down a partnership which will not only increase its kernel<br />
export reach into the US and European Union markets,<br />
but is also expected to break new ground in countries such<br />
as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Mayo Macs CEO, PJ<br />
Venter told shareholders at a recent meeting outside Darnall<br />
on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast that what was just a<br />
pipe dream 12 months ago, had not only become a reality,<br />
but had extensively widened their marketing options. “We<br />
are now the only South African processor with a validated<br />
log 5 kill step. For us food safety is a non-negotiable. We<br />
looked at various kill step providers before we settled on<br />
a particular provider and subsequently formed a joint<br />
venture situated outside Houston, Texas,” he said. As<br />
explained in the online Quality Assurance and Food Safety<br />
magazine, “kill-step validation is a pre-emptive scientific<br />
evaluation that provides documentary evidence that a<br />
particular process (e.g. cooking, frying, chemical treatment,<br />
extrusion, etc.) is capable of consistently delivering a<br />
product that meets predetermined specifications. In other<br />
words, it is a collection of evidence that a particular process<br />
involving chemical or physical inputs/parameters in a food<br />
establishment are consistently delivering a desired effect to<br />
ensure the destruction of pathogenic micro-organisms often<br />
expressed as ‘log reduction’.”<br />
While Venter said he would prefer for the pasteurisation<br />
company not to be named due to the competitive nature of<br />
the macadamia industry in South Africa, he said the group<br />
was more than satisfied the pasteurisation plant was number<br />
one in the world when measured on its installed state-of-the<br />
art technology and pasteurisation methodology. “<strong>The</strong>y use<br />
a “dark process”, in other words the entire pasteurisation<br />
process is fully automated, from when the kernels are placed<br />
onto the conveyor through to packaging and labelling.”<br />
During pasteurisation the kernel is heated in two phases to<br />
over 200°F (about 100°C) before being cooled down across<br />
three phases. <strong>The</strong> last unit which dries the kernel can also be<br />
used for roasting if requested by customers. <strong>The</strong> automated<br />
packing system also includes a metal detector. “So, in the<br />
morning workers put down the plastics and the cardboard<br />
boxes behind the machine and that’s all, the whole process<br />
is then computer run.” Venter said.<br />
All the kernel from the Mayo Macs factories in Paddock<br />
on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and Rietvallei in<br />
Mpumalanga from this season will be exported to the<br />
States. Venter said the group viewed the joint venture deal<br />
not as a cost to the company, but rather as a profit centre as<br />
the 3-tons-an-hour plant was geared for processing all types<br />
of nuts. “Our products will probably take up about two<br />
hours out of their 24-hour schedule.<br />
16 THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
17
BUMPER CROP<br />
PREDICTED FOR <strong>2019</strong><br />
Mayo Macs has 240 grower shareholders and<br />
110 non-shareholder growers delivering to their<br />
factories in Paddock on the KwaZulu-Natal<br />
South Coast and Rietvallei in Mpumalanga. <strong>The</strong><br />
group’s shareholder member-orchards total over<br />
9 500 ha of which 45% are bearing and 55%<br />
are non-bearing. <strong>The</strong> high percentage of nonbearing<br />
orchards indicates exponential growth in<br />
production for the company over the next few<br />
years. This is also the first season that growers in<br />
the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands will start to supply a<br />
crop to the Paddock plant.<br />
<strong>The</strong> rest of the time other nut-types are pasteurised which<br />
means the unit is fully utilised and we make a return on it<br />
as well. Also we have streamlined our operation meaning<br />
that once the nuts are pasteurised they are not then<br />
returned to South Africa for packaging and distribution but<br />
go directly from the Texas plant to our customers.” he said.<br />
Another plus he said was customers previously buying<br />
unpasteurised kernel directly out of South Africa were now<br />
able to eliminate the cost and the burden of processing<br />
the product themselves before being able to use it. “At<br />
the moment it is only in the US that the log 5 kill step is<br />
regulated, but there is no doubt in our minds that the EU<br />
will soon follow suit as well as countries such as Japan.<br />
South Korea, Japan and Taiwan are new markets - they<br />
consume about 9% of the global supply of kernel - and we<br />
see these as markets with huge potential for growth. Being<br />
able to offer them a product that meets stringent food<br />
safety requirements is going to be a huge plus,” he said.<br />
“Our focus has always been on supplying sound kernel to<br />
high-end customers in the market. That is why we focus so<br />
heavily on the value of our on-farm extension services from<br />
the time a farmer starts planning to plant the trees. We now<br />
have 5 technical advisors, covering all our major production<br />
areas, to ensure we meet all our growers production needs.<br />
To meet the growing international demand for macadamias<br />
we have to be ready, but we are not going to compromise<br />
our brand in any way in the process. We will continue to<br />
concentrate on producing high sound kernel, as well as nutin-shell<br />
to markets such as those in China,” Venter said.<br />
Following on the drought in 2015/2016 the<br />
crop growth in 2018 increased by 34% from<br />
the 2016 season. A bumper tonnage of nut-inshell<br />
is forecasted for the <strong>2019</strong> season. Growershareholders<br />
at the meeting heard about the<br />
completion of extensive capital investments<br />
including a new state-of-the art centralised<br />
laboratory for sample testing, and an oil extraction<br />
plant at the Mayo Macs Rietvallei plant in<br />
Mpumalanga. At the factory in Paddock, upgrades<br />
include a 60-ton delivery point designed to allow<br />
trucks to deliver their loads directly to the new<br />
additional 650-ton drying facility. <strong>The</strong> Paddock<br />
sorting room floor size has been increased and<br />
the area for loading containers was heightened<br />
for ease of packing on trucks destined for the<br />
Durban port. Further announcements included the<br />
installation of a new cracker able to process small<br />
nuts of less than 18mm which were previously not<br />
accepted, and the contracting of a second transport<br />
company to ensure the bumper crop expected in<br />
the forthcoming season is delivered timeously and<br />
without delays to the factories.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Mayo Macs crop outstripped the rest of the<br />
country with a shareholder sound kernel of 38%<br />
versus 31.1% as an industry-wide average (2017<br />
season) and just 1.9% unsound kernel against a<br />
3.0% industry-wide average.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Paddock factory started their processing for<br />
the <strong>2019</strong> harvest on 1 April while processing at<br />
the Rietvallei plant is expected to get underway<br />
on 1 May.<br />
18<br />
THE MACADAMIA
Combatting Iron<br />
Deficiencies<br />
In <strong>Macadamia</strong><br />
Orchards:<br />
Solutions For a Complex Phenomena<br />
Iron deficiencies in macadamia orchards are characterised by yellow<br />
leaves and, eventually, die-back in branches, resulting in lower yields.<br />
While rectifying iron levels can be a lengthy and costly exercise,<br />
orchard preparation at the start can prevent future problems.<br />
Without iron, chlorophyll cannot be formed in a plant.<br />
It is therefore crucial to ensure that this micronutrient is<br />
in perfect balance to make respiration, photosynthesis and<br />
the mobilising of oxygen and sulphur in the plant system<br />
possible. Nico Claassens, business development manager<br />
of plant nutrition at Laeveld Agrochem, explained that<br />
the yellowing of the intervein areas of a leaf is a typical<br />
symptom of iron shortages. “If this is not corrected, dieback<br />
of the leave tips and branches will occur and even<br />
total die-back of the branch or tree. <strong>The</strong> yield and nut<br />
quality of affected trees will decline because no energy is<br />
available to set a crop or to effectively transform water to<br />
oil in the kernel.”<br />
UNDERSTANDING IRON DEFICIENCIES<br />
Claassens said the following factors<br />
cause iron deficiency in macadamias:<br />
Incorrect Soil pH: Iron is most effectively absorbed<br />
in the tree at a soil pH level of 5 to 6.5. At a pH above<br />
7.0, iron will bond with minerals such as calcium and<br />
magnesium, making it insoluble.<br />
Chemical Imbalances: Elements in abundance, such as<br />
phosphate, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, sodium<br />
and carbonates, all have a negative effect on the availability<br />
of iron to the plant roots.<br />
Low Soil Temperatures: At soil temperatures below<br />
13°C, root activity starts to decline rapidly: below 5°C,<br />
iron uptake will stop completely. This is why new growth<br />
occurring after a very cold winter will often show iron<br />
deficiency symptoms.<br />
Article & Images<br />
Lindi Botha<br />
Lack of Oxygen in the Soil: This is mainly caused by<br />
wet and cold soil conditions, which enhance the mobility<br />
of minerals like manganese, preventing the uptake of iron<br />
because of manganese’s superior mobility in the soil. A lack<br />
of oxygen also causes soils to compact, having a negative<br />
effect on available soil oxygen around the root area.<br />
Soil Compaction: Insufficient soil preparation before<br />
planting and lack of organic components in the soil causes<br />
fine sandy soils and high clay soils to become compacted<br />
easily. But iron deficiency can occur in any soil type so land<br />
preparation must be done effectively before planting. <strong>The</strong><br />
soil must also be continuously maintained to ensure proper<br />
root development and health in the coming years. Older<br />
orchards in general suffer from compaction, and rectifying<br />
the problem is expensive and takes time, so prevention is<br />
better than cure.<br />
Low Microbial Activity: Bacillus Ferrooxidans is a<br />
soil-borne bacterium responsible for making elements in<br />
the soil, such as iron, available to the plant. In leached and<br />
sandy soils and those that have been vigorously fumigated<br />
with products like ethylene dibromide (EDB), the microbial<br />
activity will be very low or non-existent.<br />
Root Diseases: Diseases such as phytophthora will have<br />
a negative effect on new root development, which is very<br />
important for the uptake of iron, because iron is only<br />
absorbed by newly active, growing roots.<br />
20<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
21
Above Iron deficiencies will eventually result<br />
in lower yields and die-back of branches.<br />
22<br />
PROACTIVE PREVENTION<br />
Claassens advised that the development of new orchards<br />
be carefully considered to prevent future iron deficiency<br />
problems in macadamias. “Choose well-drained soils that<br />
are above the frost line and which are rich in organic<br />
matter. <strong>The</strong> richer the soil is in minerals and organic<br />
matter, the better the trees will perform. Unfortunately,<br />
macadamia trees don’t have the ability to grow in very<br />
substandard soils. It is therefore important to ensure that<br />
the minimum standards for root development and health<br />
are adhered to.” He said proper soil classification and<br />
preparation would prevent poor performance of the trees<br />
due to iron deficiencies or other shortfalls. “Planting trees<br />
on ridges ensures good drainage and good aeration, which<br />
results in healthy, active roots. <strong>The</strong> height of the ridge will<br />
be determined by the soil depth and physical condition.”<br />
Claassens cautioned against using organic fertilisers high in<br />
phosphates, such as chicken litter. “This could result in a<br />
build-up of phosphates in the soil to the extent where iron<br />
fixation can take place. “Old tobacco soils were known to<br />
be annually fumigated with EDB, which had a detrimental<br />
effect on the soil microbes. Trees to be grown in these<br />
soils should be treated with beneficial microbes when they<br />
are planted. Using good organic mulch, organic acids<br />
and other soil microbe nutrients will help establish and<br />
maintain a healthy macadamia orchard.” To prevent surface<br />
compaction Claassens recommended oxygen-enriched<br />
water, which also assists with creating an oxygen-rich root<br />
zone beneficial for iron uptake by the trees.<br />
“A healthy, well developed root system<br />
guarantees a successful macadamia orchard.<br />
Farmers should also plant trees from<br />
reputable nurseries,” said Claasens.<br />
Above Iron deficiencies are characterised by yellowing of the leaves.<br />
APPLICATION OF IRON PRODUCTS<br />
When iron applications are necessary, Claassens said only<br />
chelated products should be applied, according to the soil<br />
pH: chelating agent EDTA (15%) for soil pH lower than<br />
6.0, chelating agent DTPA (11%) for soil pH lower than<br />
7.0, and chelating agent EDDHA (6%) for a soil pH higher<br />
than 7.0.<br />
When iron or any other cation micronutrient is applied to<br />
the soil in non-chelated form, it has little effect, because the<br />
mineral becomes attached to the soil particles, which then<br />
become negatively charged, very quickly. It is also restricted<br />
by other soil minerals competing for position in the<br />
rhizosphere of the roots. While low iron levels are common<br />
in macadamia orchards, Claassens said although excess iron<br />
can produce symptoms of stunted growth and discoloured,<br />
bronzing foliage, it is unlikely to happen in tree crops like<br />
macadamias because they can withstand high iron levels.<br />
“Over supply can cause a short term toxicity effect due to<br />
the sudden increase of iron in the root zone. This can either<br />
cause root burn or an imbalance with other essential plant<br />
nutrients like zinc, copper, calcium or magnesium. It is<br />
crucial to continuously measure iron levels and ensure the<br />
tree is receiving the correct amounts to flourish,” he added.<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
Multicote® Agri (8) Juvenile:<br />
<strong>The</strong> solution for growing new orchards<br />
A single application of Multicote® Agri controlled-release fertilizer provides your<br />
young trees with a balanced nutrition over months, supporting establishment and<br />
enhancing growth.<br />
1. Moisture penetrates<br />
the polymer capsule<br />
2. <strong>The</strong> moisture<br />
dissolvesthe<br />
nutrients in the capsule<br />
Reg. Nr. K 8834 (Act 36 of 1947)<br />
3. Nutrients are released<br />
into the soil by diffusion.<br />
Soil temperature controls<br />
the rate of release.<br />
Nutrition matches growth needs ● Better nutrient use efficiency<br />
Labor saving ● Nutrient availability independent of irrigation<br />
<br />
<br />
Pioneering the Future<br />
Haifa South Africa<br />
PO Box 1409, Brackenfell, 7561, South Africa | Tel: 021 982 0309 | Fax: 021 981 7637 | www.haifa-group.com
Practical Training<br />
Grows Mac Farm Manager Skills<br />
A commercial grower training programme to<br />
shore up the ever widening skills gap in South<br />
Africa’s macadamia industry has successfully<br />
completed its first year, with a second group of<br />
youngsters signed up and busy learning how to<br />
manage the country’s orchards.<br />
Article Peter Hughes<br />
Images Supplied<br />
A training programme set up by seasoned Lowveld<br />
macadamia farmers Guy More, Duncan Macgregor and<br />
Kasper van Rooyen has been met with enthusiasm by the<br />
region’s farmers, who snapped up the first four recruits as<br />
soon as they graduated towards the end of last year.<br />
Macgregor, who farms at Lochaber Estates in South Africa’s<br />
Lowveld, said as co-founder of Recruitagri, he was not<br />
only delighted with the project’s progress since it started in<br />
May last year, but also with the calibre of the first batch of<br />
students. “We’d like to see steady growth in the number of<br />
graduates we turn out, without in any way compromising<br />
on the quality of the training. We are also keen to involve<br />
other interested farmers and agricultural organisations<br />
in Recruitagri. It will help us broaden the internship<br />
experience we can give our trainees and assist in covering<br />
the costs,” Macgregor said. <strong>The</strong> vision, he added, was to<br />
develop an internship programme aimed at turning out<br />
quality graduates. As a result, those applying to participate<br />
in the course require a degree or diploma from a recognised<br />
tertiary institution if they are to be accepted.<br />
King Dlamini, who is now employed as an assistant farm<br />
manager on a 200ha property in the Barberton Valley,<br />
said he landed the job because of his interaction with<br />
agricultural experts and seasoned managers during the<br />
course. “I keep learning every day, and I am so grateful<br />
for the solid platform that Recruitagri gave me,” he said.<br />
Similarly, BSc graduate Ronnie Mamba, who always<br />
dreamed of a career in agriculture, said the year at<br />
Recruitagri had provided a “wonderful bridging year” for<br />
him. Mamba is now employed as a junior farm manager<br />
on a nearby kiwi fruit and macadamia-producing operation.<br />
This year six students were selected from more than<br />
300 applications. Jenny More, a BSc graduate with majors<br />
in psychology and genetics from Wits University, has taken<br />
on the task of managing the non-profit company established<br />
to drive Recruitagri. She said she was not only thrilled to be<br />
heading up the initiative but reports received from the<br />
farmers who employed the first group of graduates had<br />
filled her with confidence.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>ir response shows us<br />
that we are on the right track<br />
and that we are meeting the<br />
great need for agricultural<br />
graduates,” said More.<br />
While the course is yet to be accredited, More said the<br />
content was designed with a good balance of both theory<br />
and practical studies in mind.<br />
Above Learning how to<br />
sample soils are, from<br />
left, Cyril Maseko,<br />
Khethukuthula Maseko,<br />
Sabelo Fankomo,<br />
Xolani Msithini and<br />
Zwakele Silubane.<br />
Right Jenny More<br />
Far Right Roy Porritt,<br />
who was commissioned to<br />
develop the course content,<br />
discusses water infiltration<br />
with Cyril Maseko, left,<br />
and Xolani Msithini.<br />
24<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
25
Former farmer, agriculture expert and consultant<br />
Roy Porritt (right) was commissioned by Recruitagri<br />
to develop the curriculum and to oversee the day-to-day<br />
teaching responsibilities. <strong>The</strong> course includes the theory of<br />
managing soil types, irrigation, tree nutrition and diseases.<br />
<strong>The</strong> students get involved in fire protection, they learn how<br />
to drive a tractor, calibrate irrigation equipment, maintain<br />
machines and tools, and how to handle chemicals safely.<br />
Benchmarking protocol GlobalGap as well as safety, healthy,<br />
environment and quality or SHEQ are dealt with, along<br />
with the legal requirements of farming and responsible<br />
management of the environment. More said apart from the<br />
theory of dealing with soils, water and irrigation, nutrition,<br />
pests and diseases, the interns were also taught the basic<br />
principles of economic systems, finance, sales, marketing,<br />
entrepreneurship, innovation and human resources<br />
management and motivation. “Between the monthly lecture<br />
sessions, the interns work on a rotational basis with existing<br />
farm managers. <strong>The</strong>y also participate in a structured reportback<br />
and discussion session, complete with written and oral<br />
tests,” she said.<br />
For further information on the<br />
programme contact Jenny More at<br />
jenny@more-ct.co.za or Ruline Pieters<br />
at admin@recruitagri.com<br />
Above Cyril Maseko, who was accepted into the class of <strong>2019</strong><br />
at Recruitagri, gets hands-on experience in a pumphouse.<br />
Left Discussing soil profiling are, from left, Xolani Msithini,<br />
Sabelo Fankomo, Zwakele Silubane, Cyril Maseko and<br />
Khethukuthula Maseko.<br />
26<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
27
Get <strong>The</strong> Most Bang<br />
For Your Buck<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is considerable potential for increasing profit by<br />
improving the whole kernel percentage and limiting kernel<br />
discolouration in macadamia crops. As such, a study was<br />
conducted in the Lowveld region by Alwyn du Preez<br />
(above), an independent technical consultant for the<br />
macadamia industry, to determine factors that influence nut<br />
quality and mitigation practices that can be implemented<br />
to reduce this discolouration. Du Preez noted that kernel<br />
recovery is determined by the nut size, shell thickness and<br />
therefore weight of kernel and shell. “This means that with<br />
a higher kernel recovery, fewer nuts will be cracked for the<br />
same amount of kernel, reducing processing costs, and more<br />
kernels are sellable per unit of nut-in-shell (NIS).” <strong>The</strong> same<br />
cultivar can produce nuts that differ in kernel recovery,<br />
whole kernel recovery and kernel discolouration.<br />
To develop optimal management strategies to maximise<br />
productivity and profitability of macadamias, factors that<br />
influence kernel recovery must be considered. Du Preez said<br />
the fruit structures are formed during the first 90 days after<br />
flowering, and the fruit continues to grow until 12 to 15<br />
weeks, until the shell hardens. Climate, soil moisture, crosspollination<br />
and nutrition all influence this process, during<br />
which the shell thickness and kernel size is determined, and<br />
thereby the kernel recovery.<br />
HIGHER YIELDS, BIGGER NUTS<br />
For the study a large set of historical data from different<br />
regions was used to establish and isolate possible factors<br />
involved in kernel recovery and discolouration. Although<br />
With Higher Crackouts<br />
Article & Images Lindi Botha<br />
Higher kernel recovery<br />
and unblemished whole<br />
nuts means more profit<br />
in your pocket. But<br />
with various factors that<br />
ultimately influence<br />
crackout, farmers need<br />
to manage on-farm<br />
practices carefully to<br />
reap the full reward<br />
from the harvest.<br />
these differed between the six regions over two seasons, it<br />
was found that relative humidity and vapour pressure deficit<br />
had an influence on both kernel recovery and whole kernel<br />
recovery. Whole kernel recovery was determined by the<br />
method of curing NIS and was improved by faster delivery<br />
and harvesting time. “We established that whole kernel<br />
recovery correlated with kernel recovery. This means growers<br />
can benefit from increased prices and lower production cost<br />
by increasing kernel recovery and whole kernel recovery<br />
at the same time.” Du Preez found that high whole kernel<br />
recovery was associated with high kernel recovery, early<br />
season harvesting and processing of NIS, the Bungay curing<br />
system of NIS compared with ambient air, low vapour<br />
pressure deficit during the nut maturation period from<br />
middle January to harvest, elevated leaf boron and copper<br />
concentrations, and low manganese leaf concentrations in<br />
November. High crop load, no cross pollination, low leaf<br />
nitrogen and zinc and high leaf potassium concentrations<br />
in November were linked to low kernel discolouration. <strong>The</strong><br />
study found that high kernel recovery was associated with<br />
high orchard altitude, good cross pollination, high yield,<br />
early season harvesting and processing of NIS, high leaf<br />
boron concentrations in November, water management<br />
using deficit irrigation, and low daily maximum relative<br />
humidity during the nut growth stage, which is from<br />
October to middle January. Du Preez said slope and row<br />
orientation of the orchard influences light interception<br />
and is an important factor that will influence the yield<br />
of macadamia trees. “Solar radiation interception is at its<br />
optimum when rows are planted perpendicular to east and<br />
west slopes, and parallel to north and south slopes.”<br />
IRRIGATION AND KAOLIN INFLUENCESCE<br />
Because extreme temperatures of 35°C during the later<br />
stages of nut development have adverse effects on oil<br />
accumulation and nut growth, resulting in poor kernel<br />
quality, moderate temperatures were therefore required in<br />
February during the early oil accumulation period to ensure<br />
a high kernel recovery. “Previous studies have shown that<br />
high temperatures of more than 30°C could be regulated<br />
by evaporative cooling and the use of reflecting substances<br />
like kaolin clay,” said Du Preez. “<strong>The</strong> research included two<br />
irrigation trials and one kaolin trial, to develop possible<br />
orchard practices that increase kernel recovery, whole kernel<br />
recovery and decrease kernel discolouration.”<br />
In the two irrigation trials, water stress was induced<br />
over two growing seasons by applying different levels of<br />
irrigation at different phenological stages. Kernel recovery<br />
was not affected by any of the treatments; however,<br />
Du Preez added that water stress could not be applied<br />
continuously because of frequent high rainfall during the<br />
study. Moderate water stress, however, did not influence<br />
yield. In the kaolin trial, the efficacy of kaolin foliar<br />
applications was evaluated to reduce heat stress: there<br />
was no effect on kernel recovery, nut yield or quality.<br />
“Previous studies have shown that application of kaolin<br />
could potentially be a practical and economical way of<br />
regulating heat stress of macadamia trees. Due to the<br />
season in which our study was conducted not reaching long<br />
periods with maximum daily temperatures exceeding 30°C,<br />
the potential impact of kaolin on heat stress reduction<br />
and kernel recovery and yield could not be fully evaluated.<br />
We did, however, establish that up to five layers of foliar<br />
applied kaolin did not significantly reduce individual leaf<br />
photosynthesis.”<br />
POLLINATION<br />
While macadamia trees flower profusely, only about 0,3%<br />
set as nuts. Since the potential yield of a macadamia tree<br />
is determined during floral initiation, it is important<br />
to manage orchards meticulously during this period to<br />
ensure maximum pollination. Du Preez said his study<br />
showed that macadamia nut yield and fruit size improved<br />
with cross pollination. “It increased the percentage of<br />
macadamia flowers with a pollen tube at the base of the<br />
style, and resulted in an increase in initial fruit set and<br />
sometimes the NIS weight, kernel weight and kernel<br />
recovery. Supplementary pollination increased NIS weight,<br />
kernel weight and kernel recovery in some cultivars, like<br />
A4.” <strong>The</strong> study noted that the Beaumont variety shows an<br />
increased yield and kernel recovery after cross pollination by<br />
various cultivars. But unfortunately Beaumonts flower later<br />
than most of the commercial cultivars, which reduces the<br />
benefits derived from cross pollination. With an increase<br />
in the supply of macadamia nuts as more trees come<br />
into production, and an increasingly quality conscious<br />
consumer, orchards and harvesting practices must be finetuned<br />
to ensure high kernel and high whole kernel recovery<br />
to capitalise on better prices. In addition to commercial<br />
studies to determine better on-farm practices, farmers<br />
should conduct their own trials to find the winning recipe<br />
that delivers high yields at lower costs.<br />
Top A higher yield has been found to<br />
correlate with a higher kernel recovery<br />
Above Although macadamia trees flower<br />
profusely, only 0,3% set as nuts.<br />
28<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
29
Reduce<br />
Waterlogging<br />
Through Subsurface<br />
Drainage<br />
Optimally drained soils are<br />
crucial to orchard health,<br />
ensuring that trees receive<br />
adequate water, oxygen<br />
and nutrients.<br />
We spoke to Johnnie van der<br />
Walt (below) from Precision<br />
Drainage about the benefits<br />
of a subsurface drainage<br />
system in combatting<br />
waterlogged orchards.<br />
Article & Images<br />
Lindi Botha<br />
And Increase Tree Health & Yield<br />
For successful macadamia nut farming, optimal irrigation practices must be<br />
followed, requiring an understanding of how the soil profile will react when<br />
water is added. If drainage is inadequate, it will result in a lack of oxygen in the<br />
soil and reduce the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients. This places stress on the<br />
trees and results in lower yields. Johnnie van der Walt said waterlogged soils also<br />
increase susceptibility to diseases like phytophthora, which occurs after roots have<br />
been submerged in water for only four hours, making it difficult to combat in<br />
areas with poor drainage. “Soil is also negatively affected by poorly drained soils,<br />
as temporarily anaerobic conditions decrease positive soil biological activities,<br />
reducing the soil’s overall health.” He said subsurface drainage systems not only<br />
prevent trees from drowning but also reduce soil salinisation. “In many areas<br />
the irrigation water salinity is gradually increasing as the upstream catchments<br />
supplying water become more saline.<br />
For productive agriculture to continue, adequate leaching and drainage is<br />
necessary to remove salt left in the root zone.” Elevated water tables result<br />
in the mobilisation of the stored salt and when this saline water table comes<br />
close to the soil surface, it results in soil salinisation and waterlogging, with<br />
detrimental effects on production. “Subsurface drainage will treat waterlogging<br />
and salinisation resulting from these shallow water tables. It is also required<br />
where more saline irrigation water is used. With increasing irrigation water<br />
salinity, the leaching requirement is increased, which often cannot be met by<br />
natural drainage.” He added that subsurface drainage does not remove available<br />
water from the soil; it merely removes gravitational water that would drain<br />
naturally if unimpeded by confining layers in the soil. “<strong>The</strong> greatest benefits<br />
of subsurface drainage typically are realised in wet years, but because drainage<br />
promotes deep root development, crops will have better access to soil moisture in<br />
dry years.”<br />
INSTALLING SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE<br />
It was important, Van der Walt said, for farmers to ensure proper drainage<br />
systems are in place, otherwise tree health could be negatively affected. In<br />
overcoming drainage problems, farmers should first identify soil properties<br />
through a credible expert. “Subsurface drainage requirements are determined by<br />
the natural soil properties, either physical, chemical or a combination of both. So<br />
farmers must first do a proper soil analysis before installing a subsurface drainage<br />
system. A general rule of thumb is that the higher the clay content, the more<br />
artificial drainage is required, as the permeability of the fine textured soils is<br />
slower. Soils with shallow restrictive layers can also pose drainage problems as the<br />
effective root zone does not have the capacity to accommodate excess water.”<br />
Above Agricultural Drainage<br />
<strong>The</strong> top illustration represents agriculture land without<br />
drainage improvement. <strong>The</strong> water table is near the soil<br />
surface and water ponds in surface depressions. <strong>The</strong> land<br />
in the bottom illustration is drained by a system subsurface<br />
plastic tubing or clay tile. <strong>The</strong> water table is lowered, which<br />
allows timely field operations and helps increase crop yields.<br />
GREAT<br />
POTENTIAL<br />
FOR IMPROVING<br />
WATER SAVINGS<br />
Besides solving waterlogging in orchards,<br />
subsurface drainage has far greater potential when<br />
considered as a means to harvest excess water. Van<br />
der Walt said existing irrigation can benefit from<br />
irrigation water recycling through underground<br />
drainage systems that, when combined with the<br />
rainwater harvesting systems, greatly improve water<br />
management and availability on the farm. “<strong>The</strong><br />
concepts of rainwater harvesting on a commercial<br />
scale, drainage water recycling and reuse and<br />
subsurface irrigation and fertigation, are still new,<br />
having come to attention due to South Africa’s<br />
water scarcity and prevalence to extreme droughts.<br />
“However, through subsurface drainage systems,<br />
the whole farm can effectively be harnessed as a<br />
catchment area. Measurements taken through a<br />
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) provide<br />
accurate topographical data of the farm, which<br />
identifies where the runoff and natural waterways<br />
occur. This can be used to determine where to<br />
place dams in the lower lying areas of the farm so<br />
they can receive and store the water that has been<br />
diverted through the drainage systems.” Van der<br />
Walt said this concept, however, requires a change<br />
in mindset from the farmer’s side and a complete<br />
change in how a farm is managed.<br />
“We need to move from<br />
a passive to an active<br />
solution to climate<br />
change. In short, the<br />
technology we use makes<br />
it possible to change<br />
the entire farm into an<br />
active catchment area<br />
to accommodate and<br />
store as much rainwater<br />
as possible.”<br />
- Johnnie van Der Walt<br />
30<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
31
Right Guided by lasers and GPS equipment, modern<br />
drain ploughs can lay drainage tiles with precision.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following important points must be<br />
considered when installing subsurface drainage:<br />
Depth and spacing of pipes is determined by soil<br />
structure and texture properties that need to be<br />
sampled and analysed beforehand. Drainage pipe depth<br />
is mainly determined by the depth of the restrictive<br />
soil layer. Generally, finer textured soils are spaced<br />
closer than that of coarse soils. Subsurface drainage<br />
installation can be either via conventional trenched<br />
drains or modern trenchless drainage, also referred to<br />
as tiling, depending on soil properties. <strong>The</strong> former is<br />
labour intensive and takes some time to install correctly<br />
as many manual processes are required. On average<br />
about 300-400 metres per day is possible, while tile<br />
drainage is mechanised and automated and can install,<br />
depending on soil condition and type, upwards of 4000<br />
metres per day.<br />
<strong>The</strong> tiling method, which uses GPS technology, is a<br />
quarter of the cost of a conventional trenched drainage<br />
system. It requires no labourers or the addition of<br />
crusher stone as the drainage pipe is ripped into the<br />
subsurface by a specially designed plough that installs<br />
the pipe automatically on the correct slope and<br />
gradient and forms a perfect hole for the pipe. This,<br />
therefore, does not destroy the soil profile above or<br />
below the pipe, so does not require the crusher stone<br />
layer above the pipe. It should be mentioned that<br />
subsurface drainage works from the bottom up, so the<br />
water flow enters the pipe from the bottom, not from<br />
the top, because of capillary action. Drainage amount<br />
is based on the soil properties and pipe spacing, soil<br />
stratification, pipe size, slope and depth (a deeper<br />
drainage pipe takes longer to drain).<br />
It is important to ensure the drainage system is selfcleaning:<br />
this is designed to flush out small dead hair<br />
roots and sedimentation.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are three main factors that influence<br />
the cost of subsurface drainage systems:<br />
- Size of the problem area: only the problematic area<br />
needs to be drained, not necessarily the whole field.<br />
- Soil type: fine textured soils require more pipes per<br />
hectare to drain effectively.<br />
- Drainage coefficient: the amount of rainfall and the<br />
irrigation system is a determining factor in deciding<br />
on the pipe size.<br />
<strong>The</strong> cost of subsurface drainage systems in South<br />
Africa installed by GPS-controlled drainage ploughs<br />
ranges from R10 000 per hectare to R25 000 per<br />
hectare, depending on soil physical properties. <strong>The</strong><br />
return on investment is between one and five seasons.<br />
PRODUCTION &<br />
ENVIRONMENTAL<br />
BENEFITS<br />
OF SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE<br />
- Increased yields, visible plant health and vigour.<br />
- Excess salts from irrigation or rain water causing<br />
soil salinisation can be leached out of the<br />
root zone.<br />
- Plant roots receive enough oxygen to<br />
mature properly.<br />
- Plant roots are grown deeper into the soil<br />
so they can absorb more nutrients.<br />
- Storm water runoff is absorbed and downstream<br />
flooding reduced.<br />
- <strong>The</strong> chances of water-borne diseases are reduced.<br />
- Since the soil can absorb and store more<br />
rainfall, runoff from the soil surface is reduced,<br />
so soil erosion is reduced.<br />
- Soil structure is improved. Soil needs to be<br />
drained to avoid soil compaction and structural<br />
damage, both of which reduce yields.<br />
- Soil bearing strength is increased. <strong>The</strong> bearing<br />
strength of soil depends on its water content,<br />
which in turn is affected by the depth of the<br />
water table. Good soil drainage increases soil<br />
strength and reduces damage caused by<br />
farming operations.<br />
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32<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
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Misunderstanding<br />
Sapling Manipulation<br />
Puts Mature Mac Trees At Risk<br />
In this technical article, macadamia expert, Kobus van Niekerk outlines<br />
how before a tree is topped it should be planted and well established in the<br />
orchard to prevent structural weaknesses once it matures and starts to yield.<br />
Also the breakages result in a loss of growth time and the adjustment of inputs such as fertiliser and water<br />
to prevent over application to a tree that suddenly requires 45% to 85% less feeding and watering than the<br />
rest of the orchard. Maintaining full input levels to damaged trees can result in secondary repercussions,<br />
such as fertiliser burn, over irrigating and the possible introduction of root diseases and pathogens. As<br />
shown in the third example a lack of proper training and manipulation of a tree in its formative stages can<br />
result in the loss of an entire tree. That means the time and money spent on the tree have effectively been<br />
flushed down the drain. Proper training following the correct principles and techniques will prevent losses<br />
in the future of a newly established orchard. During storms and floods it is not possible to prevent all tree<br />
damage, but with the timely application and intervention, potential breakages and damage to an orchard<br />
development can be prevented way in advance. In effect the work done in a macadamia orchard over the<br />
first 18 to 24 months of its development equals an investment with a lifespan of 35 years or more.<br />
Example 1<br />
Side branches<br />
developed from an<br />
untrained node<br />
after planting<br />
Example 2<br />
A side branch is torn<br />
from a tree where no<br />
shoulder or side base was<br />
trained to develop.<br />
Example 3<br />
Failure to apply proven techniques at<br />
the time this tree was planted resulted<br />
in the loss of a four-year investment in<br />
water, fertilisers and maintenance.<br />
Many nurseries “top” trees but I have yet to get a clear<br />
reason or explanation as to why it needs to be done other<br />
than to prevent the young trees from getting too tall<br />
because they become too difficult to transport. For the<br />
sake of easy handling and for deliveries to customers this<br />
may make sense, and it is true that some cultivars do get<br />
quite tall after just two growth flushes above where the<br />
graft comes out of the scion. But when trees are topped by<br />
the nurseries, care should be taken to follow up with the<br />
correct training and manipulation to make sure there is<br />
no threat to the strength of the tree later on. I prefer that<br />
topping be done when the trees are planted in the orchard<br />
and well-established, particularly when a healthy vegetative<br />
flush indicates that the trees are established and a root flush<br />
has occurred. At this point, and with no side branches<br />
developed, all the trees can be topped at a height of about<br />
600mm to 700mm above the level of the ground. No more<br />
than 25% of the leaves should be removed. Even if the trees<br />
are much taller than the 600mm, say they are at 800mm or<br />
in some cultivars they might be taller at 1 800mm, if there<br />
are no side shoots (which are the future branches), the trees<br />
can be topped back to the desired height. This is one of the<br />
very few occasions where I would recommend such a drastic<br />
cut to the trees.<br />
In the first example the tree was topped while it was still in<br />
the nursery or soon after it was planted in the orchard. <strong>The</strong><br />
three shoots which developed from the primary buds on the<br />
topmost node were left to grow without training. As a result<br />
the narrow angles between the shoots did not allow for<br />
the development of a branch base or allow for the proper<br />
shoulder attachment to each other. <strong>The</strong> lack of a secure<br />
base for the shoots is pronounced because a growth leader<br />
was not selected when the tree was still young. All three<br />
side branches grew simultaneously and vigorously resulting<br />
in a lack of lignification or put simply, wood growing in<br />
each branch base or shoulder, resulting in the bark and<br />
non-binding bark being caught and squeezed between the<br />
rapidly thickening branches. It is very clear that without<br />
lignin (wood) fibre tissue growing inside a branch base<br />
or shoulder, a poor attachment developed. In such cases<br />
branch breakages are inevitable. While such a break might<br />
happen early on in the tree’s lifespan resulting in limited<br />
vegetative growth loss, if the break happens when the tree<br />
is much older it can result in increasing degrees of damage<br />
and loss. It is not a case of if the branch base will break<br />
if it is insufficiently developed and untrained but rather,<br />
when it will break. Whether it is at three, five or fifteen<br />
years, any force exceeding the strength developed within<br />
the side branch attachment at its base or shoulder means<br />
that branch will eventually give way, snap, break or tear. If<br />
the branches had been properly trained, the degree of the<br />
breakage would have been equal to the amount of attention<br />
given to training and manipulation when the tree was<br />
still young.<br />
Breakages of this nature can be caused by many factors, and<br />
if the orchard is subjected to high winds or other external<br />
factors, they heighten the probability of attachment failure.<br />
Also as trees grow, the weight on an individual branch<br />
increases creating further pressure on the weak base or<br />
shoulder joins. <strong>The</strong> weight of the developing crop after nut<br />
set adds further pressure, and in most cases breakages don’t<br />
happen at the first nut set, but rather later on, and the older<br />
the tree is the more severe the breakages tend to be.<br />
<strong>The</strong> incurred losses from breakages include:<br />
- the loss of vegetative material grown during the whole<br />
period from planting,<br />
- the crop set on the branch will fail to fully mature,<br />
- the cost of extra labour to clean up, chip or prune<br />
broken branches, and<br />
- orchard maintenance activities are hampered by the<br />
fallen limbs.<br />
Principle Differences Between<br />
MANIPULATION & PRUNING<br />
Manipulate g rowth<br />
Manipulate growth hormones<br />
Manipulate amino acids<br />
Influence of light important<br />
Influence of gravity important<br />
O r ie ntation of branches dete r mines<br />
amino acid concentrations<br />
Stimulates NEW growth<br />
Additional leaf area<br />
Additional bearing wood<br />
Shorten juvenile phase<br />
No material removed<br />
Measure light on all sides of the tree<br />
Remove growth<br />
Stimulates growth hormones<br />
Stimulates amino acids<br />
Influence of light important<br />
Gravity influence ignored<br />
No orientation of branches<br />
Stimulates Re-growth<br />
Less leaves<br />
Less bearing wood<br />
Lengthens juvenility<br />
All removed material needs to regrow<br />
Measure light on all sides of the tree<br />
Kobus van Niekerk heads up his own consultancy business, MACADAMIAS AFRICA.<br />
Kobus can be contacted on his email at kobusvn@rocketmail.com<br />
25% reduction of light necessitates<br />
pruning or manipulation<br />
25% reduction of light<br />
necessitates pruning<br />
34<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
35
Manipulating Young <strong>Macadamia</strong> Trees<br />
<strong>The</strong> Fundamentals<br />
1<br />
Establish a<br />
strong growing<br />
2<br />
central leader<br />
3<br />
7<br />
<strong>The</strong> numbers of side branches<br />
on one node must be thinned<br />
to one less than the number<br />
of leaves. This is to ensure<br />
vigorous growth is maintained<br />
in the central leader and that<br />
the trees develop upwards<br />
rather than as bunched<br />
mop heads. On Beaumont<br />
(695), “A” cultivars, and the<br />
Nelmacs, there might be two,<br />
three, four or five leaves on<br />
one node. All Hawaiian and<br />
integrifolia cultivars will<br />
always have just three leaves<br />
per node (whorl).<br />
4<br />
Left A well-shaped tree<br />
with side branches at<br />
regular height intervals<br />
with ample light on all<br />
the leaves on the side<br />
branches and a welldefined<br />
strong growing<br />
central leader.<br />
Below Number of side branches on one node thinned to one less than the number of leaves<br />
5<br />
6<br />
Side branches at regular intervals, knee, hip<br />
and shoulder height are normally mentioned.<br />
Where two or three nodes are close to each other on<br />
developed side branches, more side branches can be<br />
kept, but still one less than the number of leaves.<br />
Side branches that originate from primary<br />
buds grow more upright with smaller angles of<br />
attachment. <strong>The</strong>se can be removed leaving the<br />
secondary bud as a side branch with a naturally<br />
wider angle of attachment to the stem.<br />
Open the angle of the side branches where they<br />
grow from the main stem to allow for the growth<br />
of strong “shoulder” attachments onto the stem.<br />
Side branches in a horizontal position stimulate amino acids that promote<br />
growth and extra leaves (more photosynthetic and light intercepting areas).<br />
Far Left Strong open<br />
attachment of the side<br />
branches to the main stem<br />
Middle Left A side branch<br />
growing in a narrow angle<br />
grows bark in the attachment<br />
resulting in a weak attachment<br />
Left A wide angled<br />
attachment grows wood on<br />
the attachment shoulder and<br />
thickens strongly at the same<br />
pace as the main stem.<br />
8<br />
Strong<br />
Depending on the cultivar<br />
there are three buds<br />
above each leaf. In most<br />
cases only the primary<br />
or topmost bud develops<br />
followed by both the<br />
primary and secondary.<br />
<strong>The</strong> primary developed<br />
bud is the most upright<br />
and suitable as a central<br />
leader. On a topmost node<br />
the primary bud should<br />
be left to develop as the<br />
central leader. Secondary<br />
or tertiary buds are<br />
suitable for strong side<br />
branches due to their<br />
natural wider attachment<br />
angle to the main stem.<br />
Right Kobus van Niekerk training<br />
management and employees on the<br />
manipulation techniques.<br />
Far Right On bigger trees with hard<br />
woody side branches, the branches need<br />
to be bent horizontally and tied with<br />
sisal string (untreated) for 14 to 21<br />
days until set in that position. <strong>The</strong><br />
attachment angle would not be opened as<br />
required but growth on the side branch<br />
will be stimulated.<br />
Below Workers tying bigger, woody, side<br />
branches. String should be completely<br />
removed once branches has set in position<br />
to prevent ring barking the tree and<br />
branch.<br />
Below Right Rubber bands can<br />
alternatively be used to tie side branches<br />
in a horizontal plain.<br />
growing secondary side branches that grow more vigorously than<br />
the flush on the central leader should be bent in a horizontal position<br />
to reduce the vigour and allow the leader to maintain dominance.<br />
Below Side branches with open<br />
attachment grow strong woody<br />
shoulders against the main stem.<br />
Notice the secondary side branches<br />
growing on the side branch, these<br />
should be kept in a horizontal<br />
plane to reduce vigour and allow<br />
strong growth on the central leader.<br />
Right All three buds on this<br />
node are well developed.<br />
Stapling young side branches is sufficient to bend<br />
open the attachment angle and get the side branch in a<br />
horizontal position. Using an extra leaf prevents over<br />
bending of the side branch. Important to note is that no<br />
pruning is recommended during the first three years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> aim of manipulation is to change the behaviour of<br />
light or to cause a red shift. Light does not stimulate<br />
growth. <strong>The</strong> only purpose of light is Photosynthesis<br />
and storing that energy in sugars and carbohydrates.<br />
Growth hormones and amino acids are synthesized<br />
with that energy. Only then is growth stimulated by<br />
the various amino acids. Pruning should only be done<br />
when light inside the canopy measures 25% less than<br />
that outside the tree. North/South orientation is less<br />
important than soil conservation. Photosynthesis<br />
converts only 0.02 to 0.05% of Photosynthetically<br />
Available Radiation to sugars.<br />
Thus gaining 2% of that with North/South rows make no sense at all<br />
if there is a slight possibility of soil erosion. (North/South orientation<br />
should be considered only when the land is at less than a 8% slope.)<br />
36 THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
37
Industry<br />
nuts<br />
&bolts<br />
GFNC Price Offer<br />
Up By 20% in <strong>2019</strong><br />
<strong>Macadamia</strong> farmers at the recent Green<br />
Farms Nuts Company (GFNC) price offer<br />
meeting heard that the processors were<br />
gearing up for top prices and a bumper<br />
harvest, despite a growing preference for<br />
the Australian nut-in-shell product.<br />
GFNC CEO Allen Duncan said at the<br />
Umhlali Country Club meeting on the<br />
KwaZulu-Natal North Coast that as this<br />
was an election year, the South African<br />
currency was likely to fluctuate, which could<br />
affect returns. However, the growing global<br />
demand for the crop meant pricing was still<br />
well above last year’s offering.<br />
Duncan said the group would consult experts<br />
on an ongoing basis as was usual to manage<br />
risk on behalf of the growers and to secure<br />
the best returns for their crop.<br />
Left Sabrina Li, key account manager in<br />
China, and Beatriz Carmargo, sales and<br />
marketing manager for Latin America,<br />
are from Green & Gold <strong>Macadamia</strong>s. <strong>The</strong><br />
company is one of the largest marketers of<br />
processed macadamias in the world.<br />
Below Left Andrew Waddell, vice<br />
chairman of the Australian <strong>Macadamia</strong><br />
Society, chats over a cup of tea with KZN<br />
macadamia farmers Rob Hoatson and<br />
James Hoatson.<br />
Below Barry Christie from the Green<br />
Farms Nut Company with macadamia<br />
farmer William Davidson at the recent<br />
price offer meeting in KZN.<br />
Top Right <strong>Macadamia</strong> farmers Alex<br />
Searle, left, and Steve de Ricquebourg.<br />
Below Left From left, GFNC<br />
agricultural and technical<br />
manager Barry Christie; Cairine<br />
Whyte, GFNC; GFNC executive<br />
chair Jill Whyte; Alex Whyte,<br />
sales and marketing manager<br />
for Europe, Africa and the<br />
Middle East for Green & Gold<br />
<strong>Macadamia</strong>s, and GFNC<br />
CEO Allen Duncan.<br />
Below Andrew and Graeme<br />
Johnson with Laurie Brecher at<br />
the annual price offer meeting.<br />
Below Frederik Coetzee and Impi Brecher browse through <strong>The</strong> <strong>Macadamia</strong><br />
ahead of the recent GFNC price offer meeting at the Umhlali Country Club.<br />
Despite a growing preference for the<br />
Australian nut-in-shell crop, which Duncan<br />
attributed to Australia’s 0% import duty<br />
tariff against South Africa’s 12%, he said<br />
this country remained an origin of choice<br />
for high quality macadamias, with the<br />
in-shell market predicted to improve as<br />
the season progressed.<br />
Images Colleen Dardagan<br />
Above Listening to a presentation by GFNC<br />
CEO Allen Duncan are Cairine Whyte from<br />
GFNC and Brian Loader, Green & Gold<br />
<strong>Macadamia</strong>s CEO and sales and marketing<br />
manager for America and Australasia.<br />
Right <strong>Macadamia</strong> growers Kirsten and<br />
Philip Dickerson with Shayne McIntyre.<br />
38<br />
THE MACADAMIA<br />
AUTUMN <strong>2019</strong><br />
39
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