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14 Years of Consistent Macadamia Production
Henry, Teresa & Jarod Agostinelli | Agostinelli Farms | Beerburrum, Queensland
What started as a trial on zucchini of TM Agricultural in 2013 has developed into a long-term biological program across the Agostinelli farming operation. After seeing a strong response in their first crop trial, TM Agricultural became part of their their broader farming program, which over the years has included macadamias, passionfruit and strawberries and continues to play a role in both their mature macadamia orchard, planted to 741 and 246 cultivars, and the establishment and production of their newer MCT1 plantings.
Their mature macadamia orchard has produced consistently over many seasons. The results include several industry productivity awards and, in 2022, recognition as Queensland Growers of the Year for small farms, with a five-year average of 1.89 tonnes per hectare of saleable kernel.
The 2026 season continued that record. The mature 741 and 246 orchard delivered 31.5 tonnes, equivalent to 6.3 tonnes per hectare, with a Saleable Kernel Recovery (SKR) of 41.93%. The newer MCT1 orchard harvested 22.288 tonnes, equivalent to 4.2 tonnes per hectare, with an SKR of 46.2%.
Brice Kaddatz of Macadamia & Horticultural Services thanked Agostinelli Farms for again providing their production figures, noting that the consistency of the results is to be envied and is substantially in excess of the average in South East Queensland.
Mature orchard production history
The following figures combine the annual production records supplied for the established Agostinelli macadamia orchard.
| Year | Harvest | Yield | Notes |
| 2014 | 19.5 t | Good-quality macadamias delivered; estimated 4t lost in a storm after 300mm of rain in 4 hours. | |
| 2015 | 31.5 t | 6.3 t/ha | Henry reported being pleased with the orchard performance. |
| 2016 | 27.5 t | 5.5 t/ha | Industry productivity award. |
| 2017 | 24.1 t | 4.8 t/ha | |
| 2018 | 32.4 t | 6.5 t/ha | |
| 2019 | 27.6 t | 5.5 t/ha | 1.65 t/ha kernel; another AMS productivity award. |
| 2020 | 30.2 t | 6.04 t/ha | |
| 2021 | 35.6 t | 7.13 t/ha | @ 10% 36.43% SKR; 0.51% RKR. |
| 2022 | 30.2 t | 6.4 t/ha | QLD Growers of the Year, small farms; 1.89 t/ha saleable kernel five-year average. |
| 2023 | 27.6 t | 5.5 t/ha | Benchmarking No. 2 for NIS & Kernel. |
| 2024 | 27.4 t | 5.5 t/ha | 3.45 t shed loss; germination |
| 2025 | 25.8 t | 5.2 t/ha | 2,315 kg shed loss; estimated a similar loss in the field. |
| 2026 | 31.5 t | 6.3 t/ha | 41.93% SKR. |
MCT1 orchard development and production
Alongside the mature orchard, the Agostinellis established a newer MCT1 block. Plantings were progressively established from October 2018 through March 2021, reaching 1,885 trees across 5.3 hectares. By November 2026, the block had an average age of approximately seven years.
Plantings:
Oct 2018 – 440 trees
Mar 2019 – 150 trees
Nov 2019 – 745 trees
Mar 2021 – 550 trees
Total – 1,885 trees, 5.3 ha at 8m x 3.5m spacing, Average age 7 years, as of Nov 2026
| Year | Harvest | Yield | Notes |
| 2023 | 5.85 t | 1.1 t/ha | |
| 2024 | 14.734 t | 2.78 t/ha | 1,100 kg lost at shed. |
| 2025 | 12.480 t | 2.35 t/ha | |
| 2026 | 22.288 t | 4.2 t/ha | 46.2% SKR. |
TM Agricultural in the Agostinelli program
TM Agricultural, short for “Terra Mend”, has remained part of the Agostinelli farming program since the initial 2013 trial. Across more than a decade of changing seasons, the family has continued to use TM while maintaining their established orchard and bringing the newer MCT1 plantings into production.
The production figures above are the Agostinellis’ recorded farm results. As with all farming systems, seasonal conditions, cultivar, orchard age, management and other factors influence production and quality.
“TM continues to play a strong role in the Agostinelli farming program. Henry, Teresa and Jarod all confirm a dramatic change in soil structure since TM treatment was implemented. The soil has moved from being ‘lifeless’ to a soft, crumbly structure, which holds moisture well, works easily and is teeming with earthworms.”
Contact
Brice Kaddatz
Macadamia & Horticultural Services
Araluen, QLD 4570
M: 0438 861 198
E: [email protected]
Best Farming Systems
18 Copford Road, Goulburn NSW 2580
02 4822 5536 | [email protected] | bestfarmingsystems.com.au
Date:
30/09/2026