Agenda and speakers announced for 2023 APAL Technical Symposium
Some notable speakers confirmed to present at the event include Dr Ken Breen, Hannah James, Dr Ian Goodwin and Femi Akinsanmi. Presentation topics will include effective risk management techniques, pest and disease control, how to mitigate the impacts of adverse weather events and best-practice post-harvest initiatives
Join us in the Goulburn Valley for the APAL Technical Symposium from Wednesday 9 August to Friday 11 August 2023.
Previously known as the APAL R&D Day, the APAL Technical Symposium will provide an elevated platform for industry professionals to share valuable insights on a diverse range of technical and R&D-related topics.
Across the three-day event, attendees will delve into discussions on optimising yield and fruit quality and how to best leverage the latest technological advancements for improved efficiency. Attendees will also hear presentations on effective risk management techniques, including pest and disease control and how to mitigate the impacts of adverse weather events, in addition to hearing about best-practice post-harvest initiatives.
Day One will feature a dedicated educational program of speaker sessions led by researchers and technical experts. Day Two will comprise of a series in orchard demonstrations, including a visit to AgVIC, and Day Three will wrap up the post-harvest content with a packhouse tour.
Secure you tickets here
Speakers & Presentations
DAY ONE: Wednesday 9 August – Shepparton Golf Club
Session 1 – Yield & Fruit Quality
- Planar orchard systems; where we’ve come from, where we are and where we’re going – Dr Ken Breen, Plant and Food Research (NZ)
- Irrigation – principles and emerging changes – Dr Ian Goodwin, Agriculture Victoria
- Fruit quality project update – Andreas Klieber Quality Associates with a panel discussion on improving fruit quality in the orchard joined by Dr Ken Breen, Ross Wilson (AgFirst) and Nic Finger (APAL)
Session 2 – Risk Management: Pests, Disease & Weather
- Alternaria – Life cycle and management of this disease – Associate Professor Femi Akinsanmi, University of Queensland
- Practical resistance management and introduction to black spot screening project – Dr Andrew Taylor, DPIRD (WA)
- Soil preparation, drainage and management – Christian Bannan, South East Soil and Water (SESW)
- Pollinator-dependent crops; the effects of biological history on modern production – Dr Simon Tierney, University of Western Sydney
Session 3 – Efficiency & Technology
- Costs of production and the challenge for growers – Ross Wilson, AgFirst
- Netting – making the decision to invest – Andrew Maughan, Pomona Valley
- Next steps for PIPS – Marguerite White, ICD Project Services
Session 4 – Post-harvest
- Postharvest physiology management for new varieties; ensuring good practise – Dr Hannah James, Agrofresh
- Defect Sorting at Orchard Level: Improved efficiency and benefits – Francesco Brancato, Unitec Asia Pacific
- Experience with coolstore fogging to date – Panel discussion and introduction to products
DAY TWO: Thursday 10 August – AgVIC Tatura & Orchard Tours (Ardmona)
Day 2 of the APAL Technical Symposium heads out into the orchard to look at new planting systems, rootstocks, a variety of research trials and machinery demonstrations.
The day will start with a visit to agriculture Victoria’s Tatura SmartFarm, with machinery, new technology and research projects all on display and up for discussion including planting systems, row orientations, rootstocks, photovoltaics (solar over crop) amongst others. Machinery demonstrations will cover multiple types of platforms; with units from Automated Ag, Revo, Frumaco and Billo all on display. Other machinery and technology (pneumatic defoliators, autonomous tractors/units, thinning machines and remote sensing technologies) will also be on display with growers invited to inspect them and question technical staff about their products.
After a morning discussing trials and machinery, participants will then board buses to tour three farms in the Ardmona area, with the focus shifting to planting systems and orchard management. This will include a range of high density and multileader orchard systems for both apples and pears with discussions on their management and the challenges that they each present.
At the conclusion of the day (~5pm) participants are then welcome to attend the first “Pears in the Pub” event to discuss pear blush development, pear scab management and other pear management challenges in a social environment.
*Note, Pears in the Pub is an event featuring content specifically targeted at pear growers. Please select “Pears in the Pub” to secure your ticket to the event.
DAY THREE: Friday 11 August – Packhouse Tour
Morning: Packhouse Tour
*Note, places for the Packhouse Tour are limited, please select “Packhouse Tour” to express your interest in attending the Tour when purchasing your tickets.
Tickets
APAL Member Tickets
- All Access Pass (Days 1,2 & 3) – $150.00
- Day 1 Only – $115.00
Non-Member Tickets
- All Access Pass (Days 1,2 & 3) – $265.00
- Day 1 Only – $205.00
Secure you tickets here
*Note, Members will need to provide their APAL Member Number when purchasing Member Tickets. If you don’t know your member number, or would like to become an APAL Member, please contact [email protected], or phone (03) 9329 3511.
Why attend?
High-calibre agenda: Hear from renowned researchers and fellow growers sharing insightful presentations and best practice examples that will challenge your thinking on orchard management techniques.
Unparalleled networking: Connect with growers and researchers over a thought-provoking program, finishing with networking drinks at Teller Restaurant at the conclusion of Day 1’s technical conference.
Meaningful content with practical applications: The Technical Symposium program agenda will provide you with the latest information and R&D insights across yield and fruit quality, risk management of pests and diseases, efficiency and technology innovation and effective post-harvest practices.
In-field experiences: A visit to AgVIC (Day 2) will provide attendees with a better understanding of the advancements being made at the Tatura SmartFarm, with a series of machinery demos taking place onsite, before orchard visits in Ardmona. Optional attendance for a packhouse tour (Day 3) will wrap up the Technical Symposium’s post-harvest agenda.
Pears in the Pub: Featuring content specifically catered to pear growers, join us for a pear-specific discussion over drinks and nibbles and hear valuable insights and learnings around the latest blush research and best-practice in pear disease management.
