A collaboration between NIAB and Viveros de Excelencia S.A. de C.V. (VIVEX) will see the launch of raspberry varieties Malling Bella and Malling Charm, from NIAB’s Malling™ Fruits portfolio, in Mexico.

Having grown fruit since Victorian times, Hugh Lowe Farms has a strong sense of tradition embedded into its practices. However, owner and managing director Marion Regan believes growth is driven by moving along with time, as well as having an unrelenting passion for growing better fruit, year after year.

The farming minister has announced 19 projects will receive a share of government funding to develop new technologies to predict strawberry yield, increase vineyard productivity and optimise harvesting schedules.

New and existing customers enjoyed an opportunity to see the latest fruit and vineyard machinery working at events organised by Ernest Doe & Sons in Essex and Surrey in early July. Machinery editor David Williams was there.

A consortium led by the UK’s oldest wine merchant, Berry Bros & Rudd, has initiated a takeover bid for Hambledon Vineyard in Hampshire.

Fendt will officially launch its battery-powered e107 v Vario tractor at the German Agritechnica show this November. Fruit & Vine machinery editor David Williams enjoyed an early test drive.

Can piwi varieties help British vineyards manage the threat of disease? What do growers need to do differently when managing these hybrid varieties? Do they make good wine – and how do we market them to consumers? The Viti-Culture event in East Sussex saw a panel of experts tackle these questions.

Independent horticultural consultancy ADAS has announced the launch of the first-ever carbon calculator designed exclusively for the horticulture sector to help growers and businesses work towards their sustainability goals.

As of January 2024, NIAB’s entire strawberry breeding programme, including the varieties within the Malling Fruits portfolio, will be overseen by global biotechnology firm Bayer, as the company seeks to expand its fruits and vegetables business to strawberries.

The #GetFairAboutFarming campaign is encouraging the leading ‘Big Six’ supermarkets to adopt fairer principles for farmers – as research shows 49% of fruit and veg farmers fear closure within 12 months.

With a spotlight currently on improving sustainability in farming, Becky Sykes, programme director at the recently launched Regenerative Viticulture Trust, spoke to Fruit & Vine about how British vineyards could benefit from regenerative techniques.

Senior agronomists have announced that this year’s blackberry season has produced a very high-quality crop, sweeter and larger than their hedgerow counterparts. The work of UK growers has ensured a strong harvest this year, ensuring availability of blackberries through to November, with peak production now underway.