Launceston, Tasmania 10-12th October 2025
HGANZ attended the HGA (Hazelnut Growers of Australia) AGM and Conference in Tasmania. Les McCracken presented at the Conference, attended the other presentations, and visited Hazelbrae Hazelnuts on the Field Day excursion. (https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2025-05-15/tasmanian-hazelnut-woes-turn-to-jubilation-online-sales/105229722).
The HGA has government support in the form of Agrifutures Australia, which has $2 million in funding to support and grow the hazelnut industry, via the creation of a 5-year plan (https://agrifutures.com.au/product/australian-hazelnut-2030-strategic-blueprint) and investment in R&D priorities outlined in the Blueprint.
In contrast, the HGANZ does not have the financial resources to fund all of the R&D initiatives it would like to, and the NZ Government-funded R&D programmes are shrinking, dying or being redirected. By having one of our committee members in the Australian conference we hope to continue to build relationships and look for opportunities to collaborate.
Les has returned and we will send out a (short) Special Edition Newsletter that will summarise the conference, give a round-up of R&D projects that are underway in Australia, and any interesting impressions and connections the McCrackens made.
Our thanks to HGA and Trevor Ranford for making us welcome.
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