Bramley’s Seedling Storage Focus

A top fruit conference, which has been arranged by CAFRE, and AFBI, will take place on Thursday 2 April 2009 in The Famous Grouse, Loughgall for 7.00pm.  The conference will focus on improving top fruit quality through reducing crop loss and enhancing the storage of ‘Bramley’s Seedling’.

The conference will complement local speakers with  David Johnston from East Malling Research Centre in Kent and Colin Carter of Landseer UK Ltd, Essex, Both speakers are well known in the top fruit sector and will bring years of experience to their presentations in dealing with these specific storage issues.

It is also a time to celebrate, with 2009 the bicentenary year for the ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ apple and the local industry has organised celebratory events to mark this special occasion.  John Beggs from the Northern Ireland Fruit Growers Association will highlight the ‘Armagh Bramley Apple Blossom Fair’ to take place at Loughgall on 8 and 9 May. John will also announce the winners of the Northern Ireland Fruit Growers Association (NIFGA) Orchard Competition, 2008.

The conference promises to stimulate the interest of growers and processors throughout the sector and should aid sustainable development of top fruit businesses.

For further information on the conference, please contact Graeme Cross, Top Fruit Development Adviser on (028) 37515638 or email graeme.cross@dardni.go.uk

Agricultural students from Missouri State University, USA, investigating niche production of horticultural crops on a recent visit to Morgan Bros Orchards, Gallrock, Portadown

Dermot Morgan, Secretary Northern Ireland Fruit Growers Association, discussing orchard establishment with students from Missouri State University, USA, on a recent visit to Northern Ireland.