There is a major revitalisation progressing in the Australian nut industry including almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts with numerous expanded plantings underway in the southern states in particular.
But it is often forgotten that in north-east Victoria in the upper reaches of the Ovens Valley there are a small number of long established mature age walnut groves. The Myrtlerise Walnut grove owned by Phillip Darby at Stanley Vic is one of them where about 3,000 walnut trees were planted as early as 1939 and in several stages since.
The grove also has a smaller number of chestnut trees, planted over an area of about 8ha (20-ac). When walnut trees reach maturity they grow to a significant size often with a tree canopy or crown that can be as high as 15m.
Walnuts need modest spraying for black spot, scale and codling moth, especially before rainfall events or in wet and humid conditions. So getting the spray coverage into the canopy of trees of mature age is a real challenge.
Phillip Darby has recently purchased for his Myrtlerise grove a Silvan Supaflo 2000-litre air assist sprayer fitted with a Radak conveyor system that is purpose designed to ensure thorough coverage of the canopy of tall tree crops.
With its air volute design the Radak conveyor uses the airflow generated by the 920mm fan of the Supaflo sprayer to direct the airflow into the foliage from underneath to aid the spray penetration and coverage.
Silvan Australia’s spraying product specialist Raph Hymus says “the Silvan Radak Conveyor has become the preferred sprayer choice where it is important to get spray coverage into the canopies of tall tree crops including macadamias, avocados, mangoes, olives, citrus and lychees”.
The sprayer is also fitted with an auto rate controller for accurate application and the trailed unit is mounted on a Glideflex suspension for comfortable towing around the property.
The Myrtlerise Walnut grove is a regular supplier of high quality walnuts in shell to a wholesale and retail clientele, as well as through the Melbourne and Sydney wholesale fruit and vegetable markets.
The Silvan Supaflo Sprayer was delivered and commissioned by local Silvan dealership McGregor Machinery Wangaratta Vic.
For more information on Silvan solutions for mature age or large fruit or orchard trees call 1300 SILVAN (1300 745 826) or email info@silvan.com.au
