CQ Pollination management workshop 2026


Central Qld pollination management workshop wrap-up

What’s the secret to better fruit set in Central Queensland avocado orchards? A big part of the answer lies with pollinators, and growers got a first-hand look at the science and strategies behind them at a practical pollination workshop in Givelda on 5 August, 2026.

The event, hosted at Donovan Farms, brought together 31 participants, including 19 growers from 11 avocado-related businesses, plus visitors from the macadamia industry, for a day that covered:

  • avocado and macadamia pollination biology
  • managed fly pollination and what it could mean for growers
  • the role of native pollinators in commercial orchards
  • habitat augmentation strategies to support pollinator populations
  • what Varroa mite means for the future of pollination services.

An orchard walk rounded out the day, giving growers hands-on examples of pollinator-friendly orchard design and habitat management in action.

Presenter: Sarah Hickman (DPI)
Presenters: Raylea Rowbottom (seedPurity); Michelle Meidecke (DPI) and Romina Rader (UNE)
Presenters: Cameron Spurr (seedPurity), David Cook (DPIRD) and Raylea Rowbottom (seedPurity)

A special thank you

A big thank you to everyone who came along and contributed to the discussion, to Donovan Farms for hosting the orchard walk, and to our presenters Cameron Spurr, Raylea Rowbottom, David Cook, Michelle Meidecke, Romina Rader and Sarah Hickman.

Presenters: Romina Rader (UNE) and Stuart Irvine Brown (DPI)

Access the resources

You can download all of the resources from the workshop in our Best Practice Resource library under ‘Event proceedings’.

Grower events in 2027

Planning is already underway for next year’s grower events, and grower input helps shape what comes next. If you’ve got feedback on this event or ideas for future topics, get in touch with Renata Grunennvaldt, Central Qld Regional Lead, QDPI, on 0475 855 445 or renata.grunennvaldt@dpi.qld.gov.au.

Acknowledgements
The forum was organised and delivered by the Avocado Industry Development and Extension Project team (AV23010), funded by Hort Innovation using the avocado research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

This article appears as part of the 27 August 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.

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Date Published: 27/08/2026
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