The North Queensland Avocado Grower Regional Forum will take place on 27 August at the Mareeba International Club, with a focus on crop management and technical presentations. The event is organised by Avocados Australia together with the Hort Innovation-funded avocado industry development and extension project team. An orchard walk at Ceres Avocados is also included in the program.
Rocky Creek grower and Avocados Australia's North Queensland director, Lawrence Masasso, will attend the forum. "I look forward to seeing all North Queensland industry participants at what promises to be a very interesting and informative day," he said.
Technical sessions will include Dr Gerhard Rossouw (QDPI) speaking on carbohydrate management, and Dr Stephen Trueman (Griffith University) addressing pollination and fruit set. Additional speakers are Bridie Carr (QDPI), David Bin (QDPI), and Hayleigh Dawson (Avocados Australia's Market Development Manager).
According to Senior Extension Horticulturist Bridie Carr, "Technical content for the forum has been developed with direct input from NQ growers through the project's dedicated NQ regional lead, David Bin."
The forum also includes Grower Round Robin Sessions, allowing growers to engage directly with the speakers. Avocados Australia chief executive officer John Tyas will present an industry update. "Events like these provide growers with the chance to do fact-finding and source the best information to help them improve their businesses," he said.
In the 2023/24 season, Australian avocado production reached 150,913 tons. North Queensland growers accounted for 21 percent of this output, producing 32,342 tons.
The event is open to all avocado growers in the region, as well as orchard staff and packers. The free forum runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mareeba International Club.
Source: The Express