The Australian Chestnut, Hazelnut and Walnut industries have come together to present the inaugural combined event. Each of these industries normally hold an annual conference or symposium in September/October each year so the concept of combining the events into a single conference will add value to each of the industries and the sponsors and allow for much needed networking between the three industries.

Brian Casey, President of Chestnuts Australia Inc, Darren Baguley, President of Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc and Dr Michael Lang, President of the Australian Walnut Industry Association agreed that this was a highly innovative and exciting venture.

Casey said, “The combined conference has allowed the industry to bring high quality speakers from overseas, the mainland and from within Tasmania to present on topics of importance to all three industries”.

Dr Wadia Kandula from the Lincoln University and Alan Mathewson from The Hazelnut Company Ltd are coming in from New Zealand to present on chestnut, walnut and hazelnut topics.

Dr Lang said, “The mix of topics covering government policies, technical industry issues and specialist research has given the program and exciting mix”.

ACCC Commissioner, Mick Keogh, will outline the new role he has in representing agriculture within the ACCC as part of the Federal Government policy.

Baguley said, “That’s one of the presentations all industries are looking forward to is the insight into birds and what methods might be implemented in the future that is being presented by Professor Gisela Kaplan from the University of New England”.

The support the Conference has received from the allied and support organisations and businesses has been outstanding,” said Trevor Ranford, Tri-Nut Conference Coordinator.

Platinum sponsor, TORO Australia, the Tasmanian Department, the West Tamar Council and local and interstate companies have allowed the conference to bring together a great list of speakers.

Local Tasmanian nut growers or those who are interested in possibly taking on growing nuts are most welcome to register. They can do so by contacting Trevor Ranford on 0417 809 172 or via e-mail.