PRUNE NEWS
Prune growers head to Young for new ideas Eager to learn more about how to better manage their farms, a small group of Griffith prune growers embarked on a study tour to Young.
weed seeds from establishing. It is
balancing micronutrients both in the
also home to a range of organisms
soil and through the plant itself.”
The trip was made possible through
Chris continually reduced his reliance
funding from the Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund program. Its prime objective is to develop leadership capacity and capability in industry bodies such as the Australian Prune Industry Association (APIA). The program also seeks to build skills at the grass roots level through regional visits to learn from other industry role models. The concept of regenerative farming is of increasing interest to many in the prune industry. To explore this method of farming, the itinerary included a stop at Chris Hall’s cherry orchard in Wombat.
that help break down the manure and incorporate the organic matter into the soil, unlocking nutrients and improving soil structure.” Paul said through these practices, on pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilisers and had a big impact on water retention and use.
with more accurate and timely sap tests. Paul said this has allowed Hall Family Orchards to find crop nutrition deficiencies four to six weeks sooner than tissue tests, which enabled him to correct ratios of alternative growth promoters such as the cations of
“In one year, 15 centimetres of straw
calcium and potassium to use instead
was spread under the trees. This
of nitrogen before trees reveal
reduced water consumption by 30 per
symptoms of disorders.
cent, and more grass grew in the rows,” he said. Paul said a quick field trip into Hall’s orchards revealed a highly diverse soil biota leading to increased organic matter and moisture retention and a well-structured soil.
Anne Furner is working on improving the soil health of her farm and was keen to join the study tour. “Visiting an industry leader in regenerative farming and seeing what he had achieved was an excellent way to learn more about the practice,”
“The ease at which a 12mm steel rod
she said.
could be inserted almost a metre
“We have started our journey to
into the ground was testament to the friable nature of the soil. Elsewhere
Chris has been practising chemical-
in the block, where there had been no
free farming since 2005, choosing to
inputs, the soil was not as yielding to
“grow with nature rather than trying to
the rod,” he said.
change it”.
Chris has also replaced tissue tests
“Chris also made the point that after
His innovative ideas and success were
20mm of rainfall, his regenerative side
recognised with the NSW Farmer of
of the watershed held rainfall much
the Year Award in 2019.
more effectively than the soil of his
Paul Geddes, a horticultural
neighbour across the gully, which would
improve soil health but were not sure what the next step would be. Chris has shown us that biodiversity of plant selection and introduction of microbes and fungi are extremely important. “As a result, we will incorporate a selection of flowering cover crops within our orchard this year to attract more beneficials and we will introduce compost teas and microbes to the soil.”
agronomist with Yenda Producers Co-
wash away into the gully.”
operative, said a major focus had been
Grant Delves found it interesting to
water supply to deal with the uncertain
visit a leading NSW farmer.
times of drought, and simultaneously
to increase the level of organic matter within the production system. “Chris does this by spraying composted teas and using green manures,” he said.
“When visiting any enterprise, it is always important to look at all viewpoints and to take on what is
Hall Family Orchards has increased
improved water efficiency so that each tree now receives less water. Phytech has been a part of that success.
“Clovers, peas, radish, cereal rye and
applicable to you and your farming
Sam Daniel from Phytech
oats are sown as cover crops to be
practices,” Grant said.
demonstrated the new technology and
slashed and used as green manure.
“Chris emphasised the importance of
how it helps with water management.
“The coverage provided by the crop, or
organic material, carbon and micro-
He said the technology is currently
as a mulch, reduces soil loss through
biom in the soil. We heard his thoughts
being used to monitor tree crops,
erosion and prevents germinating
on how these can be enhanced by
with a focus on almonds, macadamias,
16 VINE MAGAZINE
