Top Fruit Growers’ Conference
Dear Grower
We cordially invite you to the Top Fruit Growers’ Conference, 2007, to be held at The Armagh City Hotel, Armagh on Wednesday 31 January, commencing promptly at 6.30 pm.
The theme of this year’s event is ‘The production of quality Bramleys’ Seedling fruit’. The aim of the conference is to update growers on orchard management for the regular production of quality fruit.
The event is jointly organised by College of Agriculture and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AfBI), the Fruit Industry Federation (FIF) and the Northern Ireland Fruit Growers Association (NIFGA), Ulster Farmers Union (UFU).
The conference organising committee invited Mr Nigel Kitney, the West Midlands fruit adviser for HL Hutchinson’s, Wisbech, to discuss tree nutrition throughout the fruit growing cycle with particular focus on the amount of various nutrients for sustainable quality Bramley production. Mr Kitney will also outline the most effective methods to evaluate nutrient levels in the crop.
Angela Berrie of East Malling Research, Kent, will present her most recent findings on strategies to reduce the levels of storage rots in Bramley apples. Her presentation will cover all the major pathogens of concern to local top fruit businesses. Ms Berrie will apply the results of her investigations to practical methods for reducing storage rots.
In addition, there will be talks by staff from DARD, AfBI, and FIF covering a range of business, research and technical topics. The NIFGA Orchard Competition prizes will be presented at the end of proceedings (see enclosed programme for further information).
On behalf of the organising committee, I hope you will be able to attend the Top Fruit Growers’ Conference. If you have any queries, please contact Graeme Cross, Top Fruit Development Adviser, CAFRE on 028 3751 5638.
I look forward to welcoming you on 31 January 2007 (registration from 6.30-7.00.pm sharp )
Yours sincerely
Kieran Lavelle
Senior Horticulture Development Adviser
Senior Horticulture Development Adviser
AGENDA
- 6.30 – 7.00 pm
Registration - 7.00 – 7.05 pm
Martin McKendry, Crops & Horticulture Development Branch, Greenmount Campus, CAFRE.
‘Welcome’ - 7.05 – 8.00 pm
Nigel Kitney, Fruit Adviser with M L Hutchinson, Wisbech, England
‘Nutrition for the Production of Quality Bramley’s Seedling’ - 8.00 – 8.15 pm
Alan Galbraith, Countryside Management Branch, DARD
‘Nitrates Directive Update for Top Fruit Growers’ - 8.15 – 8.30 pm
Graeme Cross, Crops & Horticulture Development Branch, Greenmount Campus, CAFRE.
‘Greenmount High Density Orchard Update’ - 8.30 – 8.45 pm - Break
- 8.45 – 9.00 pm
Dr Sean Mac An tSaoir, Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI)
‘Top Fruit Research’ - 9.00 – 9.30 pm
Dr Angela Berrie, East Malling Research
‘Reducing Rots in Fruit’ - 9.30 – 9.40 pm
Graham Hewitt, Fruit Industry Federation
Supply Chain Development Programme – Helping the top fruit sector compete - 9.40 – 9.50 pm
Presentation of Northern Ireland Fruit Growers’ Association Orchard Judging Competition - 9.50 – 10.00 pm
Martin McKendry
‘Concluding Remarks’