Text Box: P.M.B 54 WAIKERIE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5330 PHONE: 08 8589 3038 FAX: 08 8589 3066  

Text Box: ABOUT US

Text Box: Growers of Quality Almonds

Text Box: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ALMOND The almond is an ancient crop originating in central and South-western Asia. From these origins, cultivation spread along the Mediterranean sea to Italy, Spain and North Africa. The almond, (Amygdalus communis) was introduced into South Australia in 1836, some five months prior to proclamation of this state. Early varieties arrived in Australia aboard the Duke of York and initial planting's occurred on Kangaroo Island, courtesy of a community of sealers. It was soon after settlement that the Jordan variety of almond was introduced from Spain. It was from this hard shelled variety that growers made future selections, giving rise to varieties that are utilised in the local industry of today. Current Almond Industry The Australian Almond industry is currently in rapid expansion with large amounts of new plantings reaching maturity is becoming the fastest growing horticultural industry in Australia. The total Almond acreage has increased dramatically over the past decade with total acres reaching 62,000 in 2007. This growth is not set to slow there are currently large amounts of young orchards which are non-bearing and will reach maturity over the next 5-10 years. Australian almond orchards are largely grown in close vicinity of the River Murray throughout South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. These areas include places like the Riverland, Sunraysia and Riverina. Consumer demands for almonds have increased not only in Australia but worldwide. Demands have been influenced by the improved awareness of the health benefits for example, almonds provide a good source of dietary fibre and are a great source of vitamin E, (Providing over half your daily dietary needs). All of this is gained from just eating a humble handful a day.                       ABOUT OUR ORCHARD Jubilee Almonds Pty Ltd specialises in the business of growing quality Almonds on a sustainable basis, providing maximum returns.  This is accomplished by efficient management and integration of all operation levels within the company. Jubilee Almonds is a 464 hectare private, independent almond development, capitalising on the state of the art knowledge from Lindsay Point and California.  Jubilee Almonds is a competitive enterprise because of its corporate backing.  The size of its operations and the geographic isolation it enjoys from other enterprises insures a better controlled environment for pests and diseases.  Jubilee almonds reached peak production in 2002 with the last of its plantings becoming of mature age. On average Jubilee produces 1500 tonnes of kernel annually which contributes to the Australian market of 26,500 tonnes. Almond production utilises mechanical harvesting, minimising  labour requirements.  Introduction of a formal quality program, SQF 1000, involving all company staff and encompassing all company activities has helped to set the optimum standard for Almond production.  Jubilee Almonds achieves world class yields, efficiency and quality.    DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT   Jubilee Almonds is located in the Riverland area of South Australia within the District Council of Waikerie.  It fronts the Morgan to Overland Corner road on the northern side of the River Murray. Scope of Operations : Almond production up to the hulling stage Shareholders :  30 Australian investors Head Office :  135 South Terrace Adelaide, South Australia, 5001. Project Cost :  $A15 million   Plantings The trees have selected virus indexed budstock on selected rootstock supplied from Monash Plant improvement.  Every second row has been planted to Nonpareil (California Paper Shell) with the intermediate rows alternating between an early pollinator (Ne Plus Ultra or Peerless) and a later pollinator (Carmel or Price).  Two rootstocks have been used with this development.  Nemaguard rootstock has proven resistance to root-knot nematode which is commonly found in mallee soils.  Any areas of soil showing a lime content has been planted with hybrid rootstock which shows lime tolerance. The tree spacings are approximately 6.1 m within the rows with the rows 6.7 m apart.  The irrigation system has been designed to permit the application of water as required by the trees.  This will vary between young and mature trees, and with temperature, soil types and topography.  The pump-house consists of two 500 kW pumps and one 150 kW pump capable of pumping at a rate of 600 litres/second. Jubilee has two different irrigation systems the first being irrigation is solid set low-throw under-tree sprinklers wetting 100% of the orchard floor which cover 260Ha. With this system a total of 1200 mm of irrigation is applied each year to the mature trees. The second system is sub-surface drip, which is pulsed hour on hour off to gain lateral spread away from the drip line to maximise efficiency and minimise losses.. This system also has an application rate of 1200mm each year. Jubilee Almonds water allocation per year is 5,500 ML/year. Harvesting is entirely mechanical and based on a system of shaking the almonds onto the ground where they dry.  A self propelled sweeper then moves the dried almonds into the centre to form a wind row where a pick-up machine sweeps up the almonds and removes the dust and leaves.  They are then transported by self propelled carts to storage bunkers and later transported to the processing  plant via semi trailer. The almonds are processed at Laragon Pty Ltd, at Lindsay Point in which Jubilee Almonds is a partner.  The almonds are marketed and packed through Riverland Almonds in Loxton.  

Text Box: HOME Text Box: ABOUT US Text Box: PHOTO GALLERY Text Box: SQF CERTIFICATION Text Box: NEWS Text Box: CONTACT US Text Box: RELATED LINKS Text Box: HOME | ABOUT US | PHOTO GALLERY | SQF CERTIFICATION | NEWS CONTACT US | RELATED LINKS

Variety

Area (Ha)

Tree No.

Nonpareil

232.2

56144

Carmel

114.2

28072

Ne Plus Ultra

45.5

10890

Price

38.0

9196

Peerless

31.9

4114

Fritz

2.6

3872

Total

464.4

112288