Australian Hazelnut Program of Research (AUSHAZ)
(funded by AgriFutures Australia)
The Australian Hazelnut Program of Research (AUSHAZ) is a five-year, $2 million AgriFutures Australia investment led by Charles Sturt University in concert with a consortium of research and industry partners. It is focused on twelve priorities grouped under three themes with the objective of optimising hazelnut production in Australia, developing quality standards and an industry framework and driving growth through innovation and communication.
CHERRP Corella Management Grant
(funded by DEECA)
Project purpose:
To improve community, industry and government’s understanding of best practice methods to reduce the impacts of corellas on agriculture.
The following are components that in part may result from the implementation of the Primary Objective
Observe any corella impacts where corellas may expand their range of environments.
Promote implementation of best practice methods of reducing negative impacts of corellas through the use of new technology.
Expected outcomes:
The Project aims to Trial scaring strategies to reduce impacts to agriculture and infrastructure through deterrents and exclusion methods can also be used to reduce the issues people have with corellas. While this requires consultation with the community and consideration of factors related to peri-urban areas the Project partners are committed to engaging with the relevant communities and/or ‘trial site’ neighbours.
Gather addition data on the social and economic costs associated with corella damage in commercial nut orchards and therefore better understand the scale of economic and social impacts and enable assessment of the cost-effectiveness of management strategies.
National Expansion of Adaptation to Nut Farming Trial – Managing Water & Soil in a Changing Climate
(funded by DAFE/ Climate Smart)
Project overview
The three nut industries – hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts – are in most instances cool climate nut industries. They are developing and expanding industries and are important contributors to regional communities including NE Victoria, Orange and other Blue Mountain regions of NSW, northern Tasmania, Adelaide Hills in SA and the SW corner of WA. The industry groups represent some 180 small to medium size producers and have a combined GVP of $55 million.
This project aims to expand on a successful trial conducted by Hazelnut Growers of Australia, Chestnuts Australia, and the Australian Walnut Industry Association in the North East Catchment area of Victoria to these other regions. The trial focused on reviewing existing watering practices and understanding the implications of climate change on nut cultivation. It provided growers with strategies to navigate challenges posed by variable weather patterns and water scarcity. This national project will enhance productivity and sustainability across Australia’s nut industries, focusing on hazelnut, chestnut, and walnut growers.
Proposed activities
- Industry needs skills analysis
- Comprehensive training program
- Resource development
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Digital platform
Extensive online information resources related to previous hazelnut industry R&D projects and technical publications are available to HGA members through a members only area of this website.