Spring orchard walks – what we have seen and heard so far
The Future Orchards® Spring Series of orchard walks is taking place across Australia this week, with events held in Manjimup (WA) and Stanthorpe (QLD) on Monday 18 November, followed by sessions in Lenswood (SA) and Batlow (NSW) on Wednesday 20 November. Over the next two days, the series will continue in the Huon Valley (TAS) and Gippsland (VIC), providing the opportunity for growers to join discussions in these regions. For those interested in attending the remaining walks, registration is still open – click here to secure your spot.
APAL’s technical partner AgFirst has led the walks with insightful collaborations, sparking discussion around practical strategies for maximising crop loads and assessing orchard performance.
This Spring Series carries the theme “Improve or remove: diagnosing your financial performance”, aligned with the Developing orchardists of the future pilot project under Hort Innovation’s Frontiers investment program.
The sessions have focused on the crucial decision-making process that supports sustainable profitability, as growers examine how to either enhance or replace underperforming blocks to drive efficiency.
Throughout the week, AgFirst’s Sarah de Bruin has guided growers in evaluating the productivity and financial health of their orchards using data from the Orchard Business Analysis (OBA). On the Southern Loop, Sarah is joined by Poliana Francescatto PhD, Global Technical Development Manager for PGRs at Valent Biosciences, who has provided insights into flower initiation and differentiation. Poliana has offered growers techniques for managing flower initiation processes to optimise yield potential, encouraging orchardists to harness their current practices and adapt new approaches for targeted improvement.
On the Northern Loop, Cameron Burt from AgFirst and Jeff Cleveringa from Columbia Fruit Packers (US) have provided a forward-looking perspective on maintaining a competitive edge amid market pressures. Jeff has presented strategies to achieve efficiency gains, whether through removing low-performing blocks, enhancing productivity, or integrating technology. He also shared his first-hand experiences with autonomous sprayers, detailing the implementation process and key lessons learned to help growers understand the value and challenges of automation in orchard operations.
Each session provides a tailored approach to cost-efficient harvest planning, equipping orchardists with both the strategic framework and practical tools to enhance their orchard’s financial performance. For those interested in attending the remaining walks, registration is still open – click here to secure your spot.
