Visit Agriculture Victoria’s Tatura Smart Farm where Australia’s two largest national R&D programs into profitable, modern and sustainable orchard systems are underway for apple and pears.

Hear from and discuss the R&D with researchers from across Australia and local growers involved in these projects.

Orchard walk & talks only! Beanies, coats & boots a must!   

When: Wednesday, 21^st August

2.30pm Start

255 Ferguson Rd, Tatura  Google Map- Tatura SmartFarm

·       Walk through the Sundial Orchard where spatial and temporal management experiments are underway.

·       Learn more about the newly established narrow orchard systems experiments. 

·       Visit the new netting site where permanent, retractable and autonomous systems are being installed.

·       Take-part in hands-on demonstrations of labour-saving tools.  

·       Hear more on work underway to improve fruit quality in pears including reflective mulch, leaf blowing, PGRs & thinning strategies.   

·       Consider how IPDM R&D will influence your current pest and disease management: biocontrol rearing & release, attracting beneficials and pollinators, & monitoring tools/resources.     

Finish the afternoon in the warmth of indoors with some final displays and short talks over a social drink and nibblies at around 5.30pm

Easy to attend – no registration necessary!

Incorporate this event into your plans to attend the

Fruit Growers Victoria Conference on the 22^nd of August!

A highly relevant segway into the conference theme: “Improving On-Farm Efficiency through Innovation”.