Implementing orchard best management practices
SFF Project Summary
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| Final Report: | Final Report |
| Updated: | 29 September 2008 |
Project Description
The project consists of four regional discussion groups with 10-15 growers, a consultant and facilitator in each group. The groups meet monthly to discuss aspects of production associated with fruit size, yield and export packout percentage. A regional best practice is to be developed for each region through data collection on each orchard, packhouse data for each property and group discussion.
Problem/opportunities the project is addressing:
The purpose of the project is to address the four primary factors responsible for economic sustainability in avocados through the development of a "regional best practice" document. The factors are as follows:
1. Yield - The current level of 8.8 tonnes/ha is to be lifted to 15 tonnes/ha
2. Fruit size - To increase average fruit size such that 75 percent of harvested fruit is count 24 or larger to meet the requirements of the USA and Australian markets. 3. Export packout- To reduce the level of export outturn failure to less than 3% by 2005.
4. Increase average export packout rates from 60 to 75% by applying regional best practices.
5. Increase nett profit per hectare to $15,000. For growers to be able to improve the above issues, they need to increase their knowledge of avocado tree phenology, the climatic effect on trees and the effect of various horticultural inputs on tree performance. Growers involved in the project were selected for achieving consistently high yields, large fruit size and/ or high export percentage packout. By discussing their knowledge and management practices with other growers in the discussion group, an interim best practice document is to be complied and trialled over the 2002-2004 period. After one season the results of each orchard will be evaluated and the best practice document will be modified and again implemented. After three years the best practice document will be further refined with a final best practice document available for each region. The opportunities for the project include the challenge of meeting the various objectives as stated above. This will require a willingness of growers to alter orchard management where necessary and quantify and understand outputs.
Progress to date:
Monthly meetings have been held in the Bay of Plenty and Mid North. Topics for each meeting have been based on the seasonal tree activity at that time. Grower surveys in both regions have provided detail on individual orchard performance. The key objectives for each property in terms of data generation and analytical evaluation are being implemented. The information from each orchard will contribute to a regional best practice document. Field days are planned once an interim best practice document has been drafted.
