Tree Crop Feb/Mar '26

News

Cautious optimism for 2026 Australian macadamia crop

The 2026 Australian macadamia crop is predicted to reach 59,080 tonnes in-shell at 3.5 per cent moisture, or 63,350 tonnes at 10 per cent moisture, according to a climate-based forecast produced using scientific modelling developed by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

News

Moving biopesticides opens new opportunities

University of Queensland research has revealed double-stranded RNA-based biopesticides (dsRNA) sprayed on plant leaves can travel right down into root systems.

Tree crop insights

High input approach paying off for Century Orchards

The Century Orchards almond enterprise near Loxton in South Australia’s Riverland region is well-known for its high input, high production focus, as well as its openness to industry, and its latest moves have contributed to further improvements in production.

News

Cherry Growers appoint biosecurity officer

Cherry Growers Australia has appointed Caleb van Beynen as its biosecurity officer, supporting both the cherry and summerfruit industries.

Tree crop insights

Global expansion and innovation for Catalytic Generators

After a year of growth across Europe, China and Latin America, Catalytic Generators has entered 2026 with renewed momentum.

Know your pest

There’s no deader than dead

Here’s how you can do your own bioassay – just a fancy word for test spray – in just a few minutes.

News

Industry needs budget backup

Australian farmers are calling for long-term investment rather than short-term budget measures, with the National Farmers’ Federation saying its 2026–27 pre-budget submission is focused on practical policy settings to support the future of the sector.

Tractors & machinery

The importance of phytosanitary treatments in orchards

With specialised crops, such as orchards, it’s important to protect the plants against diseases, insects, and other threats.

Tractors & machinery

Plan for a safe harvest this season

During picking season, make sure you have a safe and efficient way for workers to move between orchards.

Tractors & machinery

Mildura’s Minter Magic grows from embracing tech

The words, “Dad I want to be a farmer”, were music to Darren Minter’s ears, a fourth-generation Mildura horticulture producer, who had initially pegged his son, Garry, to become an accountant.

Pruning

Productive pruning for olives

Olives play a number of roles in the farm landscape; they can be the main production enterprise, but they are also valued for their beauty as specimen trees as well as privacy hedging and windbreaks.

Macadamias - Featured Crop

Study proves the way for a cleaner NSW coast

The results are clear – changing the way macadamia trees are farmed could create a win for both the environment and farmers in NSW.

News

Pathogens and cherries

The emergence of new sweet cherry diseases represents a growing challenge for production, especially in a context of high varietal specialisation and international exchange of plant material.

News

Mandatory health star ratings a blow for olive industry

Health Star Rating information will soon be compulsory on all packaged food in Australia.

News

YieldX unlocks hidden productivity

Melbourne based AgTech company YieldX has reached a major commercial inflection point, launching a world first high-density growing system that unlocks unused space inside existing greenhouses and materially lifts grower productivity without expanding footprint, land or energy use.

News

Asia Fruit Logistica signs Unitec as partner

Asia Fruit Logistica (AFL), Asia's leading fresh produce trade show, has announced Unitec, a global technology leader in the produce industry, as its exclusive official technology partner for the 2026 edition.

Packaging & labelling

Opal Packaging Plus partners Phantm for market-first

Opal Packaging Plus, which retails packaging supplies, has partnered with Australian packaging technology company Phantm to build a future-ready packaging data asset which strengthens reporting and compliance through better packaging data.

Products and services

Crop resilience delivers amid record heat

As temperatures in Victoria’s Sunraysia region soared to record levels in January, citrus and table grape producer Cottrell Farms reported promising crop resilience after its first season using calcium formulation Cellmate from Sumitomo Chemical Australia’s range.

News

Adelaide prepares for southern hemisphere’s biggest horticulture conference

Australia and New Zealand’s premier horticulture event, Hort Connections 2026 will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre this year – over an expanded four-day program from June 1-4.

Packaging & labelling

Label Press from orchard to export

For decades, Label Press Qld Pty Ltd has worked alongside growers and packhouses across Australia, supplying high-performance fruit and shipping labels designed specifically for the fresh produce industry.

Products and services

Manage fruit quality and harvesting logistics

For Australian apple and pear growers, Harvista 1.3SC is becoming an increasingly important crop management tool for those wanting to reduce fruit drop, improve fruit colour or manipulate harvest timing to help manage harvest logistics.

Products and services

High K - fertilising made simple:

High K is a broad-spectrum liquid fertiliser designed to enhance crop yields, improve quality, and promote plant health.

Products and services

Feeding trees from the ground up to get establishment right

New Edge Microbials says in apples, cherries and stone fruit, orchard performance is shaped during the establishment years.