TOP FRUIT CONFERENCE WILL FOCUS ON QUALITY PRODUCTION

This has been a season of great activity for local Bramley’s Seedling growers. Following the resurgence in demand for apples, due to increased cider sales and a renewed consumer interest in fruit as a healthy food option, growers have good reason to re-focus their attention on planning for the future.  To support their aim of achieving excellence in production yield and fruit quality, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in consultation with industry stakeholders, has organised a conference on the theme of ‘The production of quality ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ fruit’.

The conference will be held at the Armagh City Hotel on Wednesday 31 January 2007, beginning at 7.00 p.m. sharp (registration from 6.30 p.m.).  The organising committee comprising of the Fruit Industry Federation, Northern Ireland Fruit Growers Association, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and Greenmount Campus, College of Agriculture and Rural Enterprise have ensured a range of speakers and subjects relevant to the needs of growers.

The first speaker will be Nigel Kitney, the West Midlands fruit adviser for H L Hutchinsons, Wisbech.  Mr Kitney combines growing top fruit along with advising fruit growers and will apply his expertise in top fruit nutrition to the management of ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ for consistent, quality cropping and balanced tree growth.

Angela Berrie from East Malling Research (EMR), Kent, will deliver a presentation on strategies to control storage rots in Bramley apples.  Ms Berrie has conducted extensive research at EMR in this area and will address the issue with respect to best practice in tree husbandry, reducing disease pressure and maintaining optimum orchard health.

Complementing these, will be further presentations from the Fruit Industry Federation, AFBI and DARD addressing business development, the Nitrates Action programme and research and development relevant to the local sector.

The conference will conclude with the presentation of grower awards for the 2006 season from the Northern Ireland Fruit Growers Association.

Further information on the programme is available by contacting Graeme Cross, Top Fruit Development Adviser, 2 Newry Road, Armagh, BT60 1EN [Telephone 028 37515638].

Kieran Lavelle (left), Chairman of organising committee Senior Horticulture Development Adviser, DARD, discussing the conference agenda with Graham Hewitt, Chairman, Northern Ireland Fruit Growers Association