Ben Temple

Worked in identical capacity following Wollemi's acquisition of Lewis Ag.

Started as part of a small team, challenging in early stages due to: severe storm damage, navagating through GunnAgri policy’s and procedures. Working closely with the then farm manager, developed systems to enable the rapid growth of wide bay macadamias. Provided input into orchard operators machinery requirements, worked closely with the agronomists to design and implement spray and fertiliser plans, worked with the now GM to ensure budgets are maintained.

For the last 9 months I have worked in a Orchard Operations/Farm Manager role, in this role my tasks are: design and implement spray/fertiliser plans, maintaining orchard and tree health, insect scouting and monitoring, overseeing all operations for WideBay Macadamias, organise equipment servicing and upkeep, work to ensure budgets are not exceeded, running and coordinating harvest, give nut reports and help with the training of employees on pests and diseases in the orchard.

At Lewis Ag I was the sole operator working very closely with the owner.

This is where I developed my interested in entomology and soil science. Working so closely with the owner and agronomy team I learnt a lot.

Being the sole operator gave me an opportunity to be involved in spray plans and checking insect pressure. Also had the chance to step into sort of a farm supervisor role. Which meant I had to plan my weeks and upcoming tasks, and relay what I was seeing in the orchard to the agronomy team which decided when we would spray.

Once moving to Macadamias Australia my knowledge in the industry really took off.

Operated: harvesters, mowers, slashers, herbicide sprayers, foliar sprayers, fertiliser spreaders, compost/lime/gypsum spreaders and front end loader.

I ran the insecticide spraying: organising chemical stock, moving machinery and needed chemical between farms. This helped me develop my management skills, running a crew of 3 with a strict timeline and.

I made the move from Hinkler Park to learn off one of the best in the industry Kevin Steinhart. While at Macadamia Australia I made contracts in the industry and learnt a lot about tree health and how to maintain an orchard.

• Operated only sprayers and slashers.
• Mainly worked with the irrigation team, maintaining pumps and farm irrigation systems.