26 July 2023

Ag Dynamics now registered in Portugal

Ag Dynamics LDA has been registered and is now operating in the EU market

From July 2023, Ag Dynamics LDA has been registered in Portugal, and can now offer services to local companies and investors throughout the Iberian Peninsula and the greater EU.

Final Project Evaluation in Kosovo
26 July 2023

Final Project Evaluation in Kosovo

Ag Dynamics Engaged for Evaluation by Caritas Switzerland

In April and May of 2023, Caritas Switzerland engaged Ag Dynamics to undertake the Final Project Evaluation for the Sustainable and Inclusive Rural Economic Development (SIRED) project. Stuart Pettigrew was the Lead Evaluator and engaged the local consulting team of Luan Hoti (rural and MSD expert) and Antigona Dajakaj as the Gender (GESI) Advisor to implement this programme.

Almonds in Portugal
3 November 2022

Almonds in Portugal

Large scale developments across southern Portugal

Stuart has recently settled in Portugal to pursue opportunities in the rapidly expanding nut and fruit sectors in this region. 

The massive Alqueva Dam is providing reliable water to the Alentejo region of Portugal, and with a climate suited to crops such as almonds, olives and citrus, there has been a rapid increase in production of these.

Driven by the increasing global demand for nuts, and plant-based foods in general, the whole of Iberia is rapidly increasing production of almonds, pistachios, walnuts and more. It is an interesting time to be here, and to see how the expansion is managed. Having seen similar explosive growth in Australia (think wine in the '90s, almonds in the 2000s) there will be some growing pains - but so far it is a really impressive development.

Project Review in Kosovo
3 August 2022

Project Review in Kosovo

After a 5 years break, Stuart returned to Kosovo in May 2022

In May of 2022, Stuart returned to Kosovo to lead the mid-term review of a project being implemented by IADK. This was a short mission, but it was great to return to a country I called home for 3 years and see the progress. 

Citrus Orchard in Waikerie
1 August 2022

Citrus Orchard in Waikerie

First Harvest and Replanting Programme

Ag Dynamics own 8 hectares of orchards in the Riverland region of South Australia. This includes a mixture of navel oranges (Washingtons, Cara cara and lates).

Boombera Park Macadamias
2 August 2021

Boombera Park Macadamias

Developing a large scale orchard in northern NSW

Since early 2019, Stuart has been engaged by Arrow Funds Management to manage the development of the Boombera Park macadamia orchard. The property is located near Lawrence in northern NSW, and now that planting is complete, there are over 240,000 trees.

Understanding and Managing Insect Pests of Pistachio Orchards
1 August 2021

Understanding and Managing Insect Pests of Pistachio Orchards

3 year project points to orchard management techniques to improve outcomes

Pistachio orchards in Australia are largely free of damaging insect pests, but the industry is being proactive by assessing what potential pests may be present but are yet to emerge into economically damaging levels. A 3 year project undertaken by Ag Dynamics has provided improved knowledge of pest management for pistachio orchards in Australia.

Advinco Farm - Dried Grape and Citrus Production
12 August 2020

Advinco Farm - Dried Grape and Citrus Production

Managing a large scale horticulture property in Sunraysia

Between December 2019 and July 2020, Arrow Funds Management Limited took over operational management of the Advinco Farm property near Mildura, Victoria and engaged Stuart to coordinate day to day management. The property consists of nearly 700 hectares of predominantly dried grapes but with a small area of citrus production.

Ag Dynamics engaged for Almond IPM and IDM Projects
4 May 2020

Ag Dynamics engaged for Almond IPM and IDM Projects

Support to and disease projects in the almond industry.

The almond industry, through Hort Innovation, is undertaking two projects aimed at improving management of pests and diseases in orchards, as well as post-harvest. Ag Victoria are leading these projects.

Almond Development in the Riverland
1 November 2018

Almond Development in the Riverland

Aroona Farms featured in Stock Journal

Aroona Farms has recently been featured in the Stock Journal, as well as other media outlets. Developing a large new orchard in the Riverland, the focus of these articles is on the employment and regional development of such investments.

Afghanistan Agribusiness
9 June 2018

Afghanistan Agribusiness

Back to Kabul after 8 years

In 2018 Stuart was engaged by Coffey International to lead the scoping study for a potential new agribusiness support programme in Afghanistan, on behalf of DFID.

GEMS Review, Nigeria
14 December 2017

GEMS Review, Nigeria

Programme Completion Review of GEMS 4

In December 2017, Stuart was engaged to lead the Programme Completion Review of the Growth and Employment in States (GEMS 4) program in Nigeria. This was Stuart's fifth review for the GEMS suite of projects in Nigeria since 2014.

Investment Review and Due Diligence
25 July 2017

Investment Review and Due Diligence

Ensuring a property measures up to expectations is the first step to successful investing

Investing in a new property requires a thorough understanding of the business - both opportunities and risks. Ag Dynamics provide Horticultural Reviews of a wide range of agribusinesses to both Australian and international investors. Out independent, personal and confidential approach to these reviews has helped investors in more than 50 projects ranging from small business transactions to some of the largest horticultural transactions in Australia.

Almond Planting Time
26 June 2017

Almond Planting Time

Major Developments Leading to rapid Expansion

Stuart is involved with a major development in the Riverland of South Australia. 

Ag Dynamics - Biosecurity Expertise
19 May 2017

Ag Dynamics - Biosecurity Expertise

Stuart Pettigrew has recently led biosecurity surveys on behalf of Agriculture Victoria and The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

Ag Dynamics has many years of experience in the areas of biosecurity, industry engagement and horticultural production. Through these activities, we have also developed a large number of partnerships with other service providers throughout Australia.

Information on the recent surveillance in the Northern Territory can be found HERE

Super High Density Almonds in Spain
10 May 2017

Super High Density Almonds in Spain

Is SHD plantings the future of almond production?

In mid-2017, Stuart visited Spain to review Super High Density (SHD) almond production. Stuart was hosted by Agromillora, a global nursery business producing a range of tree species for high density plantings, including olives and almonds in Australia.

Citrus Biosecurity Project
8 May 2017

Citrus Biosecurity Project

The Citrus Biosecurity Project that Stuart Pettigrew has been engaged with since October 2013 has now been completed. The project was extended until May 2017, and included work on increasing surveillance for exotic pest threats across northern regions of Australia.

Review of EnviroVeg Programme
20 March 2017

Review of EnviroVeg Programme

Ag Dynamics provides independent assessment of Enviroveg

Enviroveg is the industry owned certification scheme to assist growers to improve their production practices. In September 2016, Stuart Pettigrew conducted an Independent Assessment of Impact on behalf of AUSVEG.

The Enviroveg programme has now received further funding, and will continue to support vegetable growers in providing the best products possible to the market.

Ghana-MADE
6 March 2017

Ghana-MADE

Reviewing an agribusiness programme in West Africa

In July and again in December, Stuart visited Ghana to review the DFID funded program 'Market Development for Northern Ghana (MADE). The review assessed the performance and strategic approach of MADE across the rice, groundnut and vegetable sectors.

Rwanda - Programme for Support to Agriculture
1 November 2016

Rwanda - Programme for Support to Agriculture

Annual Review for DFID

In late 2016, Stuart visited Rwanda to undertake the Annual Review for the DFID-funded Programme of Support to Agriculture (PoSA)

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