Fruit

VineWorks business director and acting head of vineyard services, Chris Buckley, gives Fruit & Vine readers his expert advice on the importance of fruit thinning.

Tim Stockwell, who farms 80ha of soft fruit in Fife, has invested in labour-saving tools to help the farm cope, not only with the cost of labour, but also lack of availability since Brexit – which he says has particularly limited the number of seasonal workers with managerial skills. Deputy editor Sarah Kidby spoke to Tim to find out more about the farm’s fruit growing enterprise.

The NextGen Fruit Group recently returned from their bi-annual international conference, an ambitious trip taking 53 members to California to tour a range of crops and businesses to gain a greater understanding of worldwide horticultural production.

A West Sussex-based The Summer Berry Company has been recognised for its raspberry and strawberry varieties at the Superior Taste Award. 

There are less than 200 ‘Babydoll’ sheep in the UK but their miniature size makes them ideal mowers for orchards and vineyards as they are too small to reach the fruit.

With most codling moth traps in place and the season poised to begin this month, an Agrovista expert advises growers to build control strategies around a mix of different products and actives.  

The beneficial effects of using biostimulants on crops has been known for many years. Hortifeeds agronomist, Mike Wainwright, explains more about their effects on plant growth, development and subsequent shelf life.

Innocent Drinks has just announced the recipients of its Farmer Innovation Fund for 2024. The news comes following the launch of the enhanced fund, which made available a grant pot of £1 million. 

Asian hornets have overwintered in the UK for the first time, Defra confirms. 

The British Tomato Fortnight is back for 2024. This annual two-week celebration champions the deliciously juicy and marvellously nutritious tomatoes grown in Britain. 

A family-owned Kent-based fruit farm has signed a new £750 million deal with Aldi, which will see a new 200-acre orchard being planted in the county. 

Self-propelled and towed sprayers, designed for inside fruit tunnels with tabletop systems, offer a solution for growers without large central alleys. Adam McDonald, of McDonald Agri Ltd, explains the benefits of the range.