Candle Park is a well-established macadamia property located on Candle Mountain at Peachester, overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains. The property supports several thousand macadamia trees and a well-managed beef cattle enterprise.

In late 2024, Brice Kaddatz (Best Farming Systems) was asked to inspect a block of macadamia trees that were underperforming. Despite being in their fifth year, the trees presented more like two to two-and-a-half-year-old trees, with poor vigour, uneven growth and significant variability in plant health across the block.

Ben had pretty much thrown the book at them, but they had proven stubbornly resistant to any conventional encouragement. During the inspection, Brice noted that the clay soil was tight when assessed with a penetrometer, indicating restricted soil structure and limited root development. Soil pH was slightly outside the ideal range, but not at a level typically associated with the degree of decline observed. The conclusion was that variability in clay soil structure was restricting nutrient availability by tying nutrients up within the soil profile.

A biological management program was implemented using TM Agricultural and Best Fulvic Plus, applied at 500 mL/ha of each product, twice annually. In early November 2025, Ben required another delivery of Best products after they exceeded expectations.

Visible changes in tree performance were reported within two weeks of the first application. Twelve months later, the improvement across the block was considered significant. While pre-treatment images were not taken, the extent and speed of the transformation were noticeable.

The macadamia trees are now uniform in growth, with strong vitality and consistent canopy development typical of healthy, productive young orchards. As a result of these outcomes, the program is now being extended across additional macadamia blocks, with plans to apply the same biological approach to improve pasture performance.

Brice Kaddatz
0438 861198
Gympie, QLD