Future Orchards 2012 roadmap

June 2008 | Future Orchards® 2012 program notes

The Future Orchards 2012 roadmap explains the direction of the national program established to lift the productivity and competitiveness of Australian apple and pear orchards. It connects the industry’s long-term goal of world competitiveness with measurable changes in orchard systems and management.

The program’s main drivers were to lower production costs per kilogram, increase the percentage of premium fruit harvested and help growers compete more effectively in domestic and export markets. Intensive production systems were promoted as one pathway to earlier cropping, higher yields and more manageable canopies.

The roadmap also emphasised demonstration and measurement. Designated orchard blocks were monitored across growing regions, with orchard walks used to compare tree densities, costs, returns and management outcomes in real commercial conditions.

As a historical Future Orchards® resource, the document provides important context for many later tools and programs, including benchmarking, OrchardNet®, orchard business analysis and the use of block-level data to guide redevelopment and production decisions.