Business Development Group Update – November 2016
November 2016 | Prepared by Ross Wilson, AgFirst | Future Orchards® Business Development Group newsletter
Ross Wilson of AgFirst uses the November 2016 Business Development Group update to show how OrchardNet production data can be used to benchmark individual blocks against Australian performance. Growers are encouraged to enter at least the previous two years of production and a 2017 estimate so that the database can be used for forward planning as well as historical review.
The newsletter reports strong productivity gains in monitored blocks. Royal Gala production had increased from about 24 tonnes per hectare in 2010 to an average of around 40 tonnes per hectare in 2016, with a reported 74% Class 1 packout and average fruit size of 165 grams. Pink Lady-type blocks were also showing higher productivity, with the 2016 Australian average reported at 57.6 tonnes per hectare, 70% Class 1 and an average fruit size of 163 grams.
The update also links production history to thinning and fruit-size management. OrchardNet reports could be used to calculate fruit numbers required to meet block targets and compare fruit growth against regional and national data, reinforcing the value of measuring crop performance through the season.
