Narrow Orchard Systems for future climates

Take a look at the NOS project.

Delivered through Hort Innovation and led by Agriculture Victoria, the five-year program will establish research sites nationwide to determine whether transitioning to narrower orchard systems could benefit pome and stone fruits. Pomewest is funding/supporting DPIRD to deliver this project in WA in Manjimup as partners of the scheme to benefit pome fruit growers in Western Australia.

A team of scientists, engineers, and economists have been assembled to reimagine what orchards could look like through a $13.6M program to improve efficiency in resources and labour.

As part of the levy communications program, APAL recently interviewed Dr. Ian Goodwin, the research leader of Agriculture Victoria. The interview focused on the continuation of a project that investigated the feasibility of an orchard design with trees spaced 2 meters apart. This project was initially conducted in New Zealand and aimed to increase yields and improve the efficiency of the orchard. Dr. Goodwin shared strategies and outcomes of the project, which involved using technologies to understand the impact of 2-meter spacing for orchards of the future.