Subject: Soil Moisture Monitoring Workshop

For irrigators who are currently using soil moisture monitoring equipment, or who are considering soil moisture monitors as a tool to better understand soil water availability and improve irrigation decision-making. This builds on the Irrigation Workshop recently held in Myrtleford and Thorpdale South.

We are fortunate to have Jeremy Giddings from Agriculture Victoria presenting this workshop while he is in the region. Jeremy has extensive experience working with a wide range of permanent and annual plantings and irrigated horticultural industries in the Mildura area, including almonds, walnuts, vegetables, wine grapes and table grapes.

As many irrigators are aware, installing a soil moisture monitor is only the first step. The real value comes from understanding how to interpret and apply the data to your own farming system. Topics covered will include:

• Understanding soil moisture graphs and what they are telling you
• Setting appropriate refill and field capacity (full) points
• Identifying trends and irrigation responses
• Using soil moisture data to support better irrigation decisions
• Improving confidence in system calibration and data interpretation

Participants are encouraged to bring along their own soil moisture graphs, reports and any relevant monitoring information. This will provide an opportunity to discuss individual situations and gain a better understanding of how to extract meaningful information from their data.

The workshop will be held on Thursday 13 August, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am in Myrtleford. St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall, 156 Myrtle St, Myrtleford.

This is a valuable opportunity for irrigators to gain practical insights and tactics to manage crop water requirements from an experienced specialist.

REGISTER HERE

Regards,

Trevor

Trevor M Ranford

Industry Development Manager

Chestnuts Australia Inc

Mobile: 0417 809 172

The post Soil Moisture Monitoring Workshop – Thursday 13 August 2026 – Myrtleford NE Vic appeared first on Chestnuts Australia Inc.

WEBINAR: Nematodes as bioindicators of soil health – benefits of soil biology

WHEN: Monday 3^rd August 2026

TIME: 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time

VIA: Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89988329090?pwd=LwdRw9vUmN9DaQfnGd3FoozQuG0Va4.1

Meeting chat link
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/89988329090

Meeting ID: 899 8832 9090 Passcode: 173250

PRESENTATION

Nematodes, also known as roundworms, are microscopic organisms and among the most abundant and diverse animals on Earth. In agriculture, they are recognised for two main reasons. Some species cause economic losses in crops such as grains, vegetables and fruit, although these plant-parasitic nematodes represent only a small proportion of the group. Many others are free-living and non-parasitic, playing important roles in soil ecosystems. Because of their diversity and ecological functions, nematodes can be used as biological indicators of soil health. Soil health refers to the ongoing capacity of soil to function as a living ecosystem that supports plants, animals and humans, including chestnut production. This presentation will explore how nematodes can help indicate soil health in orchards, why healthy soil biology matters, and what options may be available to the chestnut industry. The webinar will also briefly touch on Crop Health Services at Agriculture Victoria and pests and diseases to focus on.

PRESENTER

Dr Chantelle Girgan obtained a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Management, Nematode taxonomy and Plant-Protection in South Africa. Chantelle has extensive experience in the identification and enumeration of nematodes and has done work on nematodes in both natural and agricultural ecosystems, glasshouse trials with root-knot nematodes, nematode surveys, soil health and molecular studies of nematodes. Currently Chantelle is a Senior Diagnostician and Research Scientist at Agriculture Victoria (DEECA), leading a team of diagnosticians in the Crop Health Services team, in the diagnostics of plant pests and diseases in various crops.

This Webinar is part of the relevant industry projects:

• Climate Smart Project
• NECMA Climate Smart Project
• Chestnut Communication Project CH24002

Regards,

Trevor

Trevor M Ranford

Representative for Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc, Australian Walnut Industry Association Inc, Chestnuts Australia Inc

Mobile: 0417 809 172

The post WEBINAR: Nematodes as bioindicators of soil health – benefits of soil biology. appeared first on Chestnuts Australia Inc.

Dear Chestnut, Hazelnut and Walnut growers,

Chestnuts Australia Inc – Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc – Australian Walnut Industry Association Inc – through the Tri-Nut Brand – is pleased to offer the first round of MINI-TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS.

These workshops are being organised as part of a Tri-Nut Climate Smart Project funded through an Australian Government grant.

Also, the Mini-Technical Workshop program have been developed and offered as a result of industry input and requests.

There are NO costs for growers and/or staff to attend.

We are limiting the number of growers per event so that those attending can have hands on but if the number of registrations is larger, we will look to run a second session at the relevant sites.

The first round of Workshops is being offered in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania across July and August.

Workshops are being planned for New South Wales and Western Australia in September.

Attached HERE are details about the Workshop Program, the dates and venues.

We have been able to engage irrigation specialists to present at the various venues.

Thanks to those growers who have been willing to support the activities by allowing access to their orchards and for digging soil pits.

We have selected a range of regions to offer maximum opportunity for growers to attend.

We appreciate for some there is some travel, but this will give growers to visit other growers that they may not have previously visited.

As we develop more MINI-TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS we will rotate around the regions in each of the States.

While the orchard that you visit may not grow the crop that you have the principles being presented are relevant to chestnuts and hazelnuts and walnuts.

Please use the registration form HERE to register your attendance and return the form to Guy Rischmueller so that he can coordinate each workshop.

If you have any queries/issues, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0417 809 172.

We look forward to your support of these MINI-TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS.

Regards,

Trevor

Trevor M Ranford

For and on behalf of CAI, HGA and AWIA.

Mobile: 0417 809 172

The post Mini-Technical Workshops for Nut Growers – Soil Moisture Assessment and Irrigation Decision-Making appeared first on Chestnuts Australia Inc.

The post Chestnut Industry News – Issue #50 – March 2026 appeared first on Chestnuts Australia Inc.

The post Nuts & Burrs – June 2026 – Members Only appeared first on Chestnuts Australia Inc.

Milestone 102

Milestone 103

The post Project CH24002 – Chestnut Industry Communications Program – 2025 – 2030 – Activities appeared first on Chestnuts Australia Inc.

This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the 2026 Summer Chestnut Workshop (Chestnut Congress) held 14^th February, delivered under Project CH24002 – Chestnut Industry Communications and Extension. The evaluation assesses how effectively the activity contributed to project outcomes, with a focus on grower engagement, knowledge transfer, and early signals along the pathway to practice adoption.

Please CLICK HERE to view the Report

Post-conference Attendee-feedback Presentation

A report of project findings was delivered by Nathan to the CAI Executive Committee at a meeting held on the 7^th May 2026

Please CLICK HERE to view the Presentation

The post 2026 Summer Chestnut Workshop – Post-conference Attendee-feedback Report & Presentation appeared first on Chestnuts Australia Inc.

Mucor is mainly a postharvest problem, but contamination can begin in the orchard at harvest.

Mucor is one of the mould fungi found on chestnuts. It can be present before harvest, during handling, and after harvest. It is especially a problem in storage and processing.

What can growers do in the orchard?

What can growers and packers do after harvest?

LEARN MORE HERE

Regards,

Trevor

Trevor M Ranford

Industry Development Officer

Chestnuts Australia Inc.

And

Project Leader CH24002

Mobile: 0417 809 172

The post Mucor in chestnuts- Fact Sheet CH-7.14 appeared first on Chestnuts Australia Inc.

Hort Connections is a place that brings all of this together. For the first time, Hort Innovation is helping more growers get there by subsidising 100 growers to attend Hort Connections in Adelaide in June through free grower tickets, along with support for travel and accommodation. This is so they can access the research and development insights and capability‑building opportunities that inform confident, practical decisions on farm in a fast‑changing environment.

Central to this opportunity is the inaugural Hort Innovation Impact Update – an event designed specifically for growers that will take place the afternoon before Hort Connections – and registrations are now open!

Hosted by Hort Innovation, the Impact Update will bring together growers, researchers and industry leaders to share practical insights, real‑world outcomes and examples of innovation that are helping growers navigate current challenges and plan for the future.

Across the three‑hour event, growers will:

• Hear directly from growers who are turning R&D into real‑world outcomes
• Explore practical tools and innovations they can apply on farm
• Take part in open discussion and knowledge exchange
• See how Hort Innovation’s investments are delivering impact from DNA to plate

Event details

• Monday, June 1, 2026
• 3–6pm, including networking
• EOS Hotel at SkyCity, Adelaide

The Hort Innovation Impact Update offers growers a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, build capability, and see how innovation is supporting confident decision‑making across the horticulture sector.

Places are limited and early registration is encouraged.

Register now: https://peanutevents.eventsair.com/hort2026/registration/Site/Register

The post Registrations now open: Hort Innovation Impact Update appeared first on Chestnuts Australia Inc.

CLICK HERE to view the presentation

Or watch on YouTube!

The post Soil Microbiology Presentation – Tri-Nut Group Output 2026 appeared first on Chestnuts Australia Inc.