Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 8.24  Orchard
preparation, tree mounds
being prepared. Note satellite
relay station in foreground.
(©Searle)
Fig. 8.25  Same area 18
months later. Trees were
planted to within ± 2 cm
within the row using a
satellite guided tractor and
planting machine. (©Searle)
Mature macadamias fall from the tree onto the ground where they are picked
up by specialist harvesters. The harvest period in Australia typically extends from
March through to September. As macadamia are ground harvested, the soil under
the tree needs to be kept weed free to facilitate harvesting. In the relatively high
rainfall, subtropical environment this requires frequent herbicide use. Consequently
producers are moving to technology that detects the green foliage of weeds and only
applies a controlled jet of herbicide when a weed is detected (Figs. 8.26 and 8.27 ).
The herbicide sprayer sits in the middle of the inter-row, sprays both side of the tree
row at once and is capable of travelling at 10 km per hour thus reducing labour and
chemical costs.
Harvesters are also becoming more specialized with large self-propelled units
that again, sit in the middle of the inter-row and harvest both sides of the row at once.
These machines are capable of harvesting and de-husking up to 35 t of de-husked
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