March has proved to be unusually dry for most parts of the UK, with many areas receiving just 10% of the average rainfall for the month. For anyone planting new orchards this has been a big bonus. News of the ending of the PO scheme by Defra, but not in Scotland, causes concern for many.
British Berry Growers Chairman Nick Marston says, “Defra’s decision to end the scheme sparks uncertainty for our growers. The absence of a successor to the scheme also raises concerns about the future competitiveness of British berry producers in relation to their European counterparts”.
At the FAST Members Conference, reported in this issue, successful independent fruit growers challenged NFU Horticulture Board Chairman Martin Emmett over his comments on the PO scheme. Is the model for the PO scheme so successful if PO members are leaving the industry? In another Defra announcement, the government named its advisory board of experts from across the food system as it looks to develop its flagship food strategy. The aim, according to the Government, “Is restoring pride in British food by ensuring a food system that backs British food, grows the economy, feeds the nation, nourishes individuals, and protects the planet, now and in the future”. More talk, but when will we see action?
Farm walks and competitions help to bring our industry together. The East Kent Fruit Society is still flourishing after nearly 100 years, although sadly possibly the only such society left. Many similar fruit growing groups have been wound up in recent years. For viticulture, rather than wine making, WineGB has established an annual vine pruning competition which this year moved to the rapidly expanding vine growing region of the Crouch Valley in Essex. Congratulations to all the participants and, of course, the winners.
With the increase in apple fruit wall production systems on old orchard ground, there has been a corresponding increase in apple replant disease which has significantly reduced financial returns in the early years following establishment. An update from NIAB East Malling gives our latest understanding of apple replant disease and how best to manage it. Progress with robotics and autonomous machinery for orchards and vineyards is finally delivering exciting developments. Steven Vale has picked ten highlights from the World FIRA 2025 fruit machinery fair. There were plenty of vineyard robots to view, plus a robotic apple picker and an autonomous grape harvesting prototype.
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