Hazelnut
Newsletter Number 6 – May 2003
Recent Activities
The
bush fires of January-February 2003 caused a cancellation of farm walks planned
in February.
The
fires were extensive and burnt out large areas of the NE and alpine areas,
including the bush all around my own property. Our sympathies go out to Dennis
and Margaret Bear who suffered the loss of a shed containing their prototype
harvester. Thankfully the fires in most places were a slow burn and not driven
by high winds.
In
January the Hazelnut Market Assessment Study was presented at
“
The
key buyers and users of raw hazelnuts were identified. They were contacted to
seek their collaboration in this market study, 19 businesses participated. Data
was sought on usage of hazelnuts, the type of hazelnuts they bought and the
approximate quantities purchased. They were also asked to give feedback on the
suitability of some Australian grown varieties for their use.
Australian
grown varieties were independently evaluated for taste. The oil and sugar
contents were measured. The literature on aspects of blanching, roasting,
keeping quality, nutritive value and nut marketing was reviewed.
The
key findings were that imported raw kernels are used in a diverse range of
products, including confectionery items, bakery products, pastes, spreads, health and snack foods. Most users of kernels have their own
product specifications, which commonly include size, shape, appearance,
blanching characteristics as well as quality standards. Most users purchase on
a price basis provided their specifications and quality standards can be met.
Buyers do not
seem
to have a specific variety preference. When bought from overseas, hazelnuts are
generally named according to the locality or production area in which they are
grown, rather than by varietal name.
Most
of the buyers who collaborated in this study indicated considerable interest in
purchasing Australian produced kernels. In general, all the Australian grown
varieties evaluated were considered to have a suitable taste,
preference was based on size, appearance and blanching properties rather than
taste. The potential use of the varieties evaluated was identified.
If
Australian hazelnuts are to be purchased, they need to be available in
sufficient quantities, to meet the buyer's specifications and to be available
at a competitive price. A potential competitive advantage for Australian grown
product is freshness, availability throughout the year and freedom from
pesticides. It is considered that to capitalise on these opportunities, the
current Australian production sector of the industry needs to expand considerably, to work in a collaborative manner and to
market hazelnuts in a manner that meets the needs of the buyers and the
consumers.
Currently,
imported raw hazelnut kernels are worth about A$6/kg
and imported nuts about A$4/kg. A total area of 1500-2000 hectares of
well-managed, productive plantings would meet all of
The
presentation of the study was well attended by members; however there was
disappointment that the Ennis variety was not included in the trail study given
its current profile as one of the better producing nut varieties.
Board Activities
The
HGA board met prior to the presentation of the Hazelnut Market Assessment Study
and continued to develop the Business plan and research projects list.
The Harvest
The harvest this year was not as bad as I expected due to the drought, although it was very dusty work collecting nuts with a vacuum system.
HGA will shortly be sending a survey questionnaire to all members, so please take your time to complete this form and send it back to us. This information is very important as it will help us get funding from government bodies that helps you the grower in research and support.
Registered Chemicals for Use on
Hazelnuts
Attached
to this newsletter is a list of chemicals currently registered and approved for
use on hazelnuts. These are the only chemicals to date that are approved
for use on hazelnuts. If you are using any other chemicals on or around your
hazelnut trees and are selling your nuts to the public you are breaking the
law, i.e. if residues of chemicals are found in your nuts that are harmful to
health the consequences could be very severe.
If
HGA members are using or would like to use chemicals in their orchard other
than the ones shown on the approved list please contact the Board and we can
determine if there is enough usage to warrant testing and subsequent
registration.
Again
it is recommended that all members undertake a Chemical Users course and
correctly store, measure and apply all chemicals in their orchards.
Nuts for Health
The
Nuts & Health Campaign (see The Australian Nutgrower March-May 2003)
regarding a promotion of the consumption of fresh produce as a way of saving
subsequent health costs has produced a series of Nuts for Health Fact Sheets
for Dieticians at the DAA Conference in May 2003. The Fact Sheet titles are:
·
Nuts and
Health
·
Nuts and Heart
Health
·
Nuts and
Diabetes
·
Nuts and
Weight
·
Tree Nuts and
Allergy
The
fact sheets make interesting reading and show that the hazelnut is one of the
best sources of all round vitamins and minerals. For further information phone
02-82952300 or go to www.nutsforhealth.com.au
Coming Events
Your
committee is trying to organize Field days for 2003 and any suggestions would
be greatly appreciated on locations and farms to visit. More details will be
advised when dates and locations are finalized.
New Members
HGA
welcomes the following new members:
Jim
Pikul, Colin Waters, M Walkington, Adrian & Samantha Hallam, D Southan,
Noel & Wendy Johnson, Russell Coleman & Annie Simons, Stephanie
DiBallista, and Maria & Colin Wilson.
We
look forward to your input and involvement in the HGA.
Board
Positions
The
following positions on the HGA Board are vacant and your nomination for a position
would be well received.
Vice
President, Sub-Editor and Southern Victorian region representative,
If
you feel you have the time & inclination please contact
the President, Peter Wheelwright.
Conclusion
This
newsletter is intended to provide a means of communication between the Board
and the HGA members. Comments on the
newsletter and articles/information for inclusion are welcomed and should be
addressed to The President, Peter Wheelwright, by phone on 0419 761 844, or by
email to pwheelwright@bigpond.com