PLANTING density and pruning techniques to reduce labour cost were the focus of a southern field day in West Gippsland, hosted by Apples and Pears Australia (APAL) in June.
It included a farm walk at Armour’s apple orchard, one of the southern demonstration sites for the Future Orchards project; pest control, cropping and canopies were the subjects under discussion.
The latest yearly financial analysis of 26 pome fruit growers showed a 6.5 per cent increase year on year on yields, according to APAL technical manager Angus Crawford.
However, while cost of production against yield/hectare had risen by 35pc, growers’ income had only increased by 15pc.
Hence the focus on labour efficiency through type of orchard canopy used.
“Labour considerations and costs impact on the choice of canopy,” horticultural advisor Marcel Veens said.
A trial orchard was showing a consistent 96 tonne yield but he believed there was potential to achieve 170-plus tonnes.
Mr Veens suggested simpler tree structures and regular replacement of varieties were two ways to increase yield.
“Pruning is the most important job in the orchard. Don’t try to save money on it,” he said.
Controlling vigour helps reduce pruning costs. Changing systems can reduce pruning costs.”
But growers were cautioned to stage change and trial new methods.
“One tool will not do everything, you need to use a toolbox. Some varieties get used to one pruning method and every year grow a little bit extra,” Mr Veens said.
Growers were advised to take a leaf sample in mid-December, to measure nitrogen and apply foliar spray if necessary.
Technology was also an orchardist’s friend, using drones and cameras used to identify flowering and insect colonies among the trees.
Increasing yield needed to be coupled with lowered costs of production, according to AgFirst’s Steve Spark.
“Increasing yields normally increases harvest costs which also increases cost/kg of labour,” he said.
“We want a return on investment of 15-plus per cent.”
At a contracted $2200/ha harvesting cost, the solution was, in part, increased planting densities; for example, 3.5 metres reduced to 2.5m width between trees.
Pruning needed to enable maximum yield while encouraging apples to grow to 200 grams if possible.
Platforms had also been identified as an efficient, less problematic asset for harvesting; not least because engineering changes enabled some platforms to be used on hilly ground.
“To return investment, platforms need to increase labour and harvest efficiencies. For example, one supervisor can be responsible for three platforms,” Mr Spark said.
But safety was emphasised; training pickers on using platforms safely was as important as ladder safety.