Post on 24-Feb-2016
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Why Plant Intensive Orchards?
Leslie Huffman, Apple SpecialistOntario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural
AffairsHarrow, Ontario
Why Intensive Orchards?
This is a Big Change!
New thinkingLots of learningMany new technologies
Why Intensive Orchards?
Why Intensive Orchards?Intensive orchards offer the
best opportunity for profit–Earlier production on new
orchards–Higher yields on established
orchards• High quality fruit
– better grade-out– higher prices
My journey to intensive…
• 1980’s – slender spindle• 1992 IFTA Que. - Vertical Axe
• 1993 IFTA Pennsylvania • 25 ft. tall Vertical Axe
horticulturally contented…..• Vertical Axe → Solaxe → Solen…• Widespread success of dwarf rootstocks • 2005 and onward… Tall Spindle
Why Intensive Orchards?Labour• Change in minimum
wage• Additional cost of
SAWP $13.87/hr
• Aging farmers, and workers
$6.00
$6.50
$7.00
$7.50
$8.00
$8.50
$9.00
$9.50
$10.00Ontario Minimum Wage
Year1995 2004 2006 2007 2008 20092005
Why Intensive Orchards?Potential for mechanization• Platform• Harvest assist
• Uniformity →all labour more efficient
Why Intensive Orchards?
Uniformity• Ease of pruning• Ease of thinning• Ease of mowing• Ease of harvest• What else?
Why Intensive Orchards?Quick response to market
demand- New cultivars
Niche markets?
Gala
Ambrosia Honeycrisp
Why Intensive Orchards?Most efficient sunlight harvestersEvery branch positioned to grow
fruit budsEvery bud positioned to receive
sunlightEvery fruitlet exposed to sprays and
sunlightResult = high yields
Why Intensive Orchards?Happy trees = consistent production = high yields = less shading
good colour easier to spray easier to prune
= happier pickers…
Why Intensive Orchards?
Warning: Need to spend
money to make money!
Why Intensive Orchards?
Warning: Need to follow the
recipe!
Why Intensive Orchards? • Early to crop• High yields• Fruit quality• Labour efficiency• Mechanization• Responds to management
It works!
Plant Intensive Orchards!
ontario.ca/apples
Leslie Huffman, Apple SpecialistOntario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural
AffairsHarrow, Ontario
Plant Intensive Orchards!
ontario.ca/apples
Leslie Huffman, Apple SpecialistOntario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural
AffairsHarrow, Ontario