This year’s national horticulture convention will be taking place off the back of a ‘bigger’ season for pome fruits than last year. APAL has also updated its program for the convention, to include new speakers. Those featured will be South Australia orchardist Robert Green, Ben Van Hooijdonk from Plant and Research New Zealand and Steve McCartney from Valent BioSciences Corporation, based in the US.
According to APAL’s website announcement, it’s part in the program will be a “bigger trade show with more exhibitors, more high profile speakers, more visiting fresh produce importers, a grander awards night, plenty of diverse social events and more delegates to interact with.” AUSVEG, the other organizing body, will also be well represented throughout the convention.
The convention is a joint industry effort between AUSVEG and Apples and Pears Australia Limited (APAL), It will be held at Jupiters on the Gold Coast this June, from Thursday 25 to Saturday 27. The event includes a trade show and awards for excellence as well as individual sessions and speakers.
The first Horticulture Convention was held in Cairns last year and was deemed a big success by the industry bodies, with more than 1,100 attending. This year they are hoping for more attendance again, according to Ms Clayton.
Pome fruits having a strong season
Pome fruits have had a ‘very good year’ with forecasts up and excellent quality all round, according to APAL’s Sophie Clayton. Grower’s from different states also reported on their progress for the latest edition of the APAL magazine, and the news was positive.
“Quality has lived up to expectations, and based on comments from growers during this harvest, volumes have been up as well.” Said Tony Filippi, Industry Development Manager with Fruit Growers Victoria.
Queensland’s granite belt was replenished by some late season rain, which means the season will start with water in the dams, however a tough year is expected thanks to El Nino weather conditions on the way. “Following a very hot spring this season, the apple growing environment moderated over summer and early autumn to allow for a high volume and high quality apple harvest,” said Peter Nimmo, Research Station Leader, Applethorpe Research Facility, for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland.
South Australia also fared well this season, and the Pink Lady™ variety has yielded an impressive turnout, according to Susie Green, CEO of APAL for South Australia. ““… on the whole, harvest ran smoothly and the quality of fruit this year has been outstanding. Colour has been exceptional and many growers are reporting high yields of Pink Lady™ with coolrooms across the state being very full,” she said in the APAL magazine report.
