Deane Stahmann Jr. passes the torch

The changing of the guard marks the end of an era ....

Winter Promotion Winners

Congratulations to our winners ....

INAUGURAL DEANE STAHMANN SCHOLARSHIP OPEN

The Deane Stahmann scholarship was established in 2008 to provide Australian pecan growers ....

Our Farm

Las Piedras (meaning 'The Stones' in Spanish) near Gatton in Queensland was developed as a pilot farm that led to the establishment of the much larger Trawalla. This former property has around 1,500 mature trees which continue to contribute significantly to the Australian Pecan harvest.

Trawalla (Aboriginal for 'Flood Waters') is the company's flagship property where excellent crop yields typically exceed those of North American growing locations. This 700 hectare property, located some 35km east of Moree in NSW, was established in the late 1960's and now comprises more than 70,000 mature and highly productive trees.

Thanks to an ideal set of circumstances, for which the site was specifically selected, Trawalla produces some of the most sought-after Pecans in the world. The area's eight to ten metres of well-drained alluvial soils are some of the deepest and richest in the country, and good rainfall is supplemented by water drawn from the Gwydir River which almost encircles the property. Trawalla's climate is well-suited to Pecan trees, creating low pest pressure and near-perfect growing conditions.

The Pecans planted at Trawalla comprise predominantly two varieties: Witchita and Western Schley. These are interspersed by rows to facilitate cross-pollination, which takes place around September each year. From this time onwards the nuts grow quickly to be nearly fully formed by February. The final few weeks of maturation see the nuts fill with nutritious oils and harden until they are ready for harvest in May.

By the start of harvest Pecan trees are leafless. Nuts are removed from the trees by a mobile shaker and collected from the ground by mechanical harvesters. They are de-husked on farm before being shipped to the Toowoomba plant for storage and shelling as required.

Whilst harvesting is being carried out in Australia, American Pecans are still sprouting summer growth, and so a large percentage of the Moree crop is exported to Europe, Japan and America to meet growing international demand.

Stahmann Farms has pioneered the development of insecticide-free farming methods, and currently employs a full-time entomologist at Moree in order to advance biological pest control technologies. These include the use of natural insect predators and moulds to regulate the population of harmful pests in our orchard.

Such practices, which reduce the reliance on chemical intervention, have profound benefits for the land, for our farm staff, and for our consumers.