A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE AT BALMORAL ORCHARD

SUSTAINABLE HORTICULTURE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY AT

BALMORAL ORCHARD

NATURAL BUSH-LAND NATURE BELT PRESERVATION

Original native bush-land nature belts have been preserved to surround most of the plantation avocado blocks at Balmoral. As well as reducing the risk of wind damage to the avocado crop, the nature belts preserve the original, natural environment and provide a habitat for native birds and wild-life.

At Balmoral the avocado plantation blocks are dispersed across 430 hectares of range-side land. Block separation and surrounding nature belts lower the risk profile of the orchard to mitigate damage from hail and storms which could adversely affect the trees and avocado crop.

NATIVE BUSH MANAGEMENT AT BALMORAL ORCHARD

We have made every effort at Balmoral to conserve the pristine environment of our natural, native bushland and nature belts. This should allow their preservation as a habitat for native birds and wildlife as well as for their enjoyment by future generations.

Steve Cupitt of Crossroads Rural and Environment.

Steve is a qualified, accredited and award-winning environmental scientist and ecologist. He has assisted us at Balmoral Orchard as a consultant on bushland management.

WATER: SELF SUFFICIENT SUSTAINABILITY

All rain-water run-off is collected by a system of contour banks and is collected into both our water storage dams.

In the dams our water resource can be augmented by our on-site bore water resource, making Balmoral totally self sufficient for crop irrigation.

One of Balmoral's two reliable bores

WATER: CONSERVATION AND MULCH APPLICATION

Regular application of mulch to the soil reduces water usage. In addition, mulch application increases organic matter and the carbon content of the soil.
Computerised moisture probes monitor soil hydration at Balmoral allowing maximal efficiency in water conservation.

Growing, baling and spreading mulch at Balmoral

Mulch spread around newly planted trees

RENEWABLE ENERGY AT BALMORAL ORCHARD

Three solar energy plants installed at Balmoral Orchard provide electricity for water irrrigation pumping requirements as well as reducing electricity cost for the pack-house cold-room and fruit grader. Excess electricity can be sold back to the grid, thus minimising our expenditure in energy.

WASTE REDUCTION AT BALMORAL ORCHARD

Not all fruit produced at Balmoral conform to the strict, regulated criteria applied at Australian markets. Non-conforming, slightly imperfect fruit is donated to the local food bank thus reducing waste and providing healthy nutrition for users of the food bank.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) AT BALMORAL ORCHARD

Balmoral Orchard endorses and uses IPM for the biological control of predatory insect pests - "good bugs to control bad bugs". These beneficial insects allow reduction in the use of conventional pesticides.