APAL’s Developing orchardists of the future pilot program given the green light through Hort Innovation’s Frontiers investment program

Hort Innovation and Apple & Pear Australia Limited (APAL) have launched the Developing orchardists of the future pilot program through Hort Innovation’s Frontiers investment program which seeks to seize big opportunities and develop solutions to horticulture’s major challenges.

Building on APAL’s well-established Future Orchards® extension program, the Developing orchardists of the future project will provide advanced professional development opportunities for apple and pear growers in Australia to progress their technical expertise and improve financial literacy.

The pilot program aims to engage, upskill and equip both current and future generations in the apple and pear industry with the tools needed to adapt to the dynamic nature of the industry. By focusing on the next generation of industry leaders, the program will focus on navigating complexities while identifying opportunities for growth.

“With the support of Hort Innovation through their Frontiers investment program, we can enhance our extension activities for apple and pear growers across Australia, extending successful programs like the Future Orchards walks and the Quality Program,” said Phil Turnbull, CEO at APAL.

“This Frontiers support allows us to sharpen our focus on emerging talent, drive modernisation and ensure the future resilience of the industry.”

The Developing orchardists of the future pilot program commenced on 16 September 2024 and will run until 1 September 2025.

The initiative comprises multiple components including a reinvigorated Future Orchards agenda, an integrated Education Program, the Trial Incubator and Data Measurement module including the Fruit Quality Program and Orchard Business Analysis (OBA). A heavy emphasis on data acquisition and leveraging these insights in the context of financial investment will allow growers to build the business case for adoption of new technology and modernisation of their orchards and ensure a resilient industry into the future with an engaged and skilled next generation of orchardists.

Through these initiatives, the pilot will target the next generation of growers, orchard managers and industry leaders through a comprehensive schedule of APAL-delivered industry services with the support of Frontiers.

Building on the success of APAL’s inaugural Technical Short Course in Fruit Production launched in mid-2024, the pilot will see APAL deliver a comprehensive events program in August 2025 in the Goulburn Valley. The two-day APAL Technical Symposium will be complemented by a two-day leadership program and a series of masterclasses for further professional development. In addition to this, a new Orchard Walk Immersion Program will allow the next generation of orchard managers and leaders to travel with the Future Orchards walks team of technical advisors to build a deeper understanding of the content, meet other growers and explore further engagement opportunities with other up and coming orchardists.

Following the strong engagement in the Future Orchards international tour to New Zealand in January 2024, the Frontiers investment will facilitate a 2025 international grower tour, this time to South Africa. Scheduled for June 2025, the week-long tour will take participants through growing regions across the Western Cape, where they will examine apple and pear planting systems, rootstock trials, emerging varieties, advancements in nursery tree development, large-scale ag tech applications, and strategies for managing sunburn, water use and warm climate challenges.

The Trial Incubator will continue its mission to foster the design and development of small-scale, early investment in industry-led trials, enabling growers to address key challenges, with results scalable for commercial adoption. With Frontiers support, the number of trials will increase, giving growers the opportunity to gain experience in trial management while applying innovative solutions on their farms.

Data Measurement will be another cornerstone of the pilot, offering data and tools to help growers address challenges, make informed decisions and drive improvements. APAL will continue investing in initiatives like the Orchard Business Analysis, the Quality Program, and the Crop and Packout Forecast, providing vital insights into profitability, fruit quality and supply chain dynamics.

“We’re excited to collaborate with APAL through this Frontiers program to strengthen the capabilities of the apple and pear industry,” said Dr Anthony Kachenko, General Manager Production & Sustainability R&D at Hort Innovation.

“By extending education, practical in-orchard knowledge-sharing, and deeper engagement through APAL’s integrated extension program, we aim to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.”

Over the 12-month period, the Developing orchardists of the future pilot program will focus on improving orchard profitability, fruit quality in market, on-farm trial viability and the technical aspects of fruit production, while nurturing the industry’s emerging leaders and securing its future.

APAL will share information on the programs under the Developing orchardists of the future pilot through its communications channels, including AFG magazine, Industry Juice e-newsletter and APAL events.

For further details or to express interest in any of the programs delivered under the Developing orchardists of the future pilot program, please contact [email protected].