Pollination, pruning, pest monitoring, spraying and fertiliser planning is contracted out. Remainder of work is completed by owners.
Canopy management
Tree spaced 10m X 10m
Managed in rows
Max height of trees is 9m
Light interception is the priority when pruning followed by structural tree balance, increasing access for picking and spraying, management of crop load and removal of dead or diseased material.
Trees are structurally pruned once a year in autumn with about 20% of the canopy removed each year.
Flower pruning is also carried out once a year on trees that need it with a single follow up fruit removal also if trees are over cropping.
Soil and soil moisture management
Orchard is predominately sandy loam.
Leaf litter, avocado pruning and shelter pruning are all used to mulch trees.
Soil moisture is not monitored on the orchard.
The orchard is 90% irrigated with in-canopy micro sprinklers used for irrigation.
At peak summer it is common to irrigate for 12 hours per irrigation event once a week using sprinklers with an 8m diameter that deliver 60l/hr (14mm per irrigation event)
Sprinkler heads are the same on all trees.
Pump pressure and flow characteristics are checked twice a year (Prior to main frost risk period and prior to main irrigation period) with ongoing inspection of pipework on orchard.
Pollination
Pollinizer species include Bacon, Zutano and Fuerte at a percentage of 7-10%
Honeybee hives are brought onto the orchard before flowering at a rate of 3-4 hives per hectare. Hives are located evenly through block.
Soil and fertiliser application
Soil and leaf tests are carried out once a year in March.
A consultant provides a fertiliser plan based on test results and crop loading.
The majority of fertiliser is applied by ground application but foliar application is also used.
Boron fertilisers are applied as ground application and foliar every year.
Calcium fertiliser is applied when deficient.
Fertiliser in some form is applied 12 times a year.
Tree health management
Trees are injected with phosphonate once a year in autumn. No root testing is conducted to verify application has been successful.
