Cadell Orchard
NSW / 1,680 HA / 536,000 Almond Trees
Cadell is located in NSW, near the township of Balranald.
Cadell has more than 75% tree coverage and supports over half a million almond trees.
56
Staff
536,000
Almond Trees
2,200
Hectares
1,680
Hectares Planted
Key features
Cadell is irrigated with water from the Murrumbidgee River.
Being the largest orchard in terms of area, at full production Cadell will require nearly 8,500 beehives every year for pollination. We’re working with local beekeepers to install and maintain hives, which will support both our trees and the surrounding environment.
The orchard has never been connected to the grid due to its location and currently operates on diesel-powered generators. By 2024, a 5MW solar microgrid (solar and batteries) will be complete. The microgrid will supply over 85% of Cadell’s power requirements, significantly reducing reliance on generators and diesel.
Solar-powered microgrid provides 85% of power
7m by 4.5m
tree spacing
389.6mm
annual rainfall
6,000T almond kernels
produced annually
Cadell History
Cadell’s history has proven its soil is fertile and well-suited to farming.
From 2017 to 2018 over two seasons, the land was developed and planted with Non-Pareil, Carmel and Monterey almond trees. Cadell was previously used for broadacre farming.
AFS improved the property by investing in an extensive drainage network, which will mitigate the effects of any future flooding.
A solar and battery microgrid project is underway, to be completed by 2025. The microgrid will supply over 85% of the orchard’s power requirements.