<p></p><p>Dr Jacquelyn Simpson has been appointed a new position at the Yanco Agricultural Institute (YAI); her appointment will support the unprecedented growth in the last decade of almond, chestnut, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio and walnut industries. Dr Simpson is fresh from completion of a PhD in ecophysiology and ecosystems at the University of Sydney and according to her, the farm gate value of the Australian temperate nut industry reached $1.2 billion in the 2014-15 financial year due to global demand, strong local production and increased market values for nuts and nut products. “Industry expansion is expected to continue with Australian nuts highly valued in international markets due to the high quality of local production and relatively low pest and disease issues,” Dr Simpson said.“In taking on this important statewide role, I have met with producers across the country, on farm and at industry events, to build partnerships and discuss opportunities for collaboration." <br></p> <p>She said a planting of more than one million hazelnut trees by Agri Australis in Narrandera was an indication of the rapid growth and confidence in temperate nut farming in the Riverina. Walnut plantings are growing in the Riverina, pistachio production is increasing in the Murray Valley and pecans are set to expand in the state's north.Dr Simpson said nut trees could be grown in many areas of the state.“Growing high-yielding, profitable nut trees demands optimal climatic and agronomic conditions and identifying suitable regions for industry expansion is a major focus of my work at YAI,” she said.“DPI has produced new guides to areas which offer potential for nut crop expansion using bioclimatology modelling, which studied the effects of climate on nut trees."Dr Simpson will continue to work in direct contact with nut producers, with the support of DPI research teams, to make sure ongoing research meets nut grower needs.Information packages on regional suitability for expansion of temperature nut industries can be found at <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/nuts">www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/nuts</a>.<br></p><p></p>