Business development groups
Formed in 1996, the aim of the Young Top Fruit Grower's Development Group is to raise the business and technical ability and skills of members through regular meetings and discussion.
The group membership is the sons/daughters of top fruit growers in Northern Ireland. As entrants to the Bramley Seedling Industry, it is essential that they pay particular attention to the business management and husbandry techniques of orchards. To become fully competent in these areas, courses and events available from Greenmount Campus were organised for this group. In the past they included: -
- VAT and management accounts - 5 young growers attended this one day course which made them aware of the necessity of keeping records to enable planning and management.
- Computers on the holding - 30 growers attended this course for 10 evenings (1 evening/week) this course familiarised growers with computer keyboard skills, spreadsheets and the Internet
- Weed control in orchards - John Atwood, ADAS, discussed weed control in top fruit orchards.
- Harvesting of Bramley's Seedlings - young growers were able to see and practise the skill of picking Bramley Seedling fruit bruise-free.
- Fruit production in young trees - young growers were able to discuss various pruning techniques available for Bramley Seedling fruit trees .
- Pruning Bramley's Seedling orchards
For more information on the Young Top Fruit Grower's Development Group, contact