Key dates for your calendar in 2020
APAL works year round to deliver a strong array of events to keep growers informed and boost productivity at all stages of orchard management, from growing the fruit and protecting your orchard with government assistance to managing your business. With 2019 winding down (and the growing season ramping up) APAL is looking forward to the next year to plan the next set of annual events.
Here is a list of APAL events planned for 2020. Save the dates!
Summer
Goulburn Valley
21 January – Future Business DMF Workshop
Start the year with some sensible savings. Is it viable to embark on a Discretionary Mutual Fund (DMF) to replace traditional insurance? The results from the the industry-wide feasibility study conducted through 2019 will be presented by APAL’s Future Business program. Savvy business owners, save the date!
22 January – Post-harvest Seminar
No start the the calendar year would be complete with the latest on local and international Post-harvest practices delivered to one of the largest gathering of growers in the year. This year the Seminar takes place in Shepparton and will be bigger than ever. Read more about next year’s event or browse the 2019 gallery.
23 January – Post-harvest Orchard Tour
Embark on a journey through the Goulburn Valley directly after the Seminar to see learnings in action and stay a step ahead for the growing season to come. View photos from last year’s tour.
Winter
Melbourne
3 June – Key Stakeholders Meeting
Steer the industry with these bi-annual meetings on the future of APAL and the industry.
4-5 June – APAL Industry Forum (includes R&D Update)
Two of the biggest events of the year, the APAL Industry Forum and the Grower R&D Update (formerly Speed Updating), have been combined into the premier pome fruit event of the year. Come along and join 200 growers, researchers, and sponsors and your orchard will be at the cutting edge. View photos from last year’s Industry Breakfast and Grower R&D Update.
Future Orchards Walks – Northern Loop
Are you interested in keeping up to date in the latest techniques and technology? APAL’s 2020 calendar wouldn’t be the same without the flagship Future Orchards program in the form of the orchard walks that APAL has been doing for over ten years.
8 June – Stanthorpe, Queensland
9 June – Orange, NSW
11 June – Batlow, NSW
12 June – Shepparton, Victoria
Future Orchards Walks – Southern Loop
As part of the Autumn/June walks, the Southern loop covers WA, SA, Southern Victoria, and Tasmania. Come along to the region near you for an update tailored to the climate you grow in.
22 June – (Region TBA), WA
23 June – Adelaide Hills, SA
25 June – (Region TBA), Southern Victoria
26 June – Huon Valley, Tasmania
July TBA – Future Orchards Overseas Study Tour
The Future Orchards program is bringing back the popular Overseas Study Tour for 2020, where growers can travel to a growing region elsewhere in the world for a look at how they do things outside Australia.
Goulburn Valley
August 25 – Pear Masterclass
Apples get enough time in the spotlight! In August, APAL heads to the Goulburn Valley to talk everything pears with local experts and international presenters. Get the latest on Pear management techniques from at home and abroad.
Spring
Future Orchards Spring Walks
Future Orchards never sleeps! Head into the new season armed with the latest R&D from expert presenters.
31 Aug to 4 Sept – Future Orchards Southern Loop (Regions TBA)
14 to 18 Aug – Future Orchards Northern Loop (Regions TBA)
Melbourne
12 November – Key Stakeholders Meeting and APAL AGM
What do you want for the future of your industry? The AGM is the time of the year where A-Class members can propose and vote on motions to shape the direction of APAL for the year to come.
