The Australian orchard of the future

September 2015 | Written by Jesse Reader, AgFirst | Australian Fruitgrower article

The Australian orchard of the future will need to combine high productivity with efficient labour use, consistent fruit quality and systems that can adapt to new technology. In this Australian Fruitgrower article, Jesse Reader of AgFirst considers the orchard structures and management practices likely to support competitive apple and pear production.

The article sits within the Future Orchards® emphasis on intensification, measurable performance and producing a greater proportion of premium fruit. Modern orchard systems are considered not simply as higher tree densities, but as platforms for easier canopy management, more uniform fruiting and more repeatable work practices.

Labour efficiency and mechanisation are also central to future competitiveness. Orchard architecture that creates narrow, accessible canopies can make pruning, thinning, spraying and harvest easier to standardise and can provide a better foundation for platforms, sensors and other emerging technologies.

The resource encourages growers to think beyond the next season when planning redevelopment. Variety, rootstock, planting density, canopy structure, labour requirements, market specifications and the capacity to adopt future technology all influence whether a new block will remain competitive over its commercial life.