Whole orchard recycling (WOR) is a concept that originated in California, whereby old orchard trees are ground, chipped and turned back into the soil before new almond trees are planted.

Despite some initial scepticism, results in the US have been overwhelmingly positive, including greater yield, increased water holding capacity, and improved soil health. 

But how sustainable and effective is this practice in the Australian context?

In this episode, long-time Australian almond grower, Neale Bennett, reveals how he got interested in WOR, and shares the results of a trial currently underway at his orchard in the sandy Sunraysia region of Victoria. 

Access episode webpage: 
https://www.nutsforlife.com.au/resource/episode-46-sustainability-in-an-australian-almond-orchard/ 

About today’s guest

Neale Bennett has worked in the horticulture field for 40 years.

A fourth-generation horticulturist, he is still farming the same land that was cleared by his ancestors in the early 1900s in Merbein, just outside Mildura in Victoria. In 1992, he started converting the 42-acre family property from vines (dried fruit) to almonds, which was completed by 2005. 

Neale is a current member of the Almond Board of Australia as one of two Sunraysia representatives. He also served as the Board’s Chair for six years. 

Supporting resources

Almond Board of Australia: Almond orchard recycling trial a sustainability first

https://almondboard.org.au/almond-orchard-recycling-trial-a-sustainability-first/?v=6cc98ba2045f

Orchard recycling improves climate change adaptation and mitigation potential of almond production systems

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0229588 

Nuts for Life Sustainability Hub

https://www.nutsforlife.com.au/sustainability/

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Credits: Host - Belinda Neville

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