The 1,5ha Cripps Red orchard that won Two-a-Day's Stewart Murray Champagne Orchard Trophy earlier this year was manipulated to produce 157t of apples per hectare to help reduce plant vigour.
One would think such high yields would negatively impact packouts, but it did not. About 128t of the apples went to Two-a-Day's packhouse, of which an impressive 94% was graded as Class 1. What's more, apple counts averaged at 135, which is the best count possible and means each apple measured between 67mm and 72mm in diameter.
The orchard, consisting of old strain Cripps Red on MM109 rootstock, was planted at Dunmanway Farm in Grabouw in 2016, at a density of 2272 trees per hectare. Granny Smith is used as the pollinator, planted every third tree in every third row.
Cripps Red and Cripps Pink apples are related, with Cripps Red having a red instead of a pink blush. The apple itself, sold under the Sundowner trade name, has firm, crisp flesh, and a sweet-tart flavour.
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
James Downes, owner of Dunmanway Farm, ascribes the success of the orchard to the cool climatic conditions of the farm, which favours the production of bicoloured apples. Along with this, all the farm's orchards were planted on virgin soil. As such, the land did not come with the soil health or disease 'baggage' associated with older, developed land.
The advisory services provided by Two-aDay's technical support team, called Fruitmax, is another big contributor to the farm's success.
"The pome fruit industry experienced an explosion of technological advancements in terms of varieties, orchard design and tree architecture since I joined the farm in September 1999.
"Fruitmax has production-based data on the performance of various varieties and management practices, which they use to inform farmers about what would work best under their circumstances."
FAMILY SUPPORT
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 10, 2023 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 10, 2023 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
R17m donation of tractors, bulls and infrastructure
Small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have been given an opportunity to grow into sustainable commercial businesses through a holistic integrated programme that will provide mechanisation, infrastructure and sector expertise.
Top dairy products revealed
Lactalis South Africa has won the South African Dairy Product of the Year Award for six of the past eight years. This year it won with a 10-month-old Gouda made especially for Woolworths.
Poor waste management highlighted on Earth Day
Most of South Africa’s waste ends up in dumps, if not strewn across open spaces or littering streams and oceans.
Kenya hosts soil health summit
The health of African soil was discussed at length by gathering of experts, writes Jeff Kapembwa.
Report shows the impact that heat has on agricultural workers
The UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently released a report showing the impact of climate change on the health of workers.
Factors to bear in mind when dipping livestock
It is important to consider the intervals at which you dip livestock in relation to the specific season in which ticks become more or less, writes Shane Brody.
Good outlook for pome fruit
Varieties of fruit could be the key in growing the pome fruit sector, writes Glenneis Kriel.
Building a sustainable agriculture sector in the Western Cape
Technology, research, financial mentorship and more will be required, writes Marinda Louw Coetzee.
PwC research shows food crisis impact
A new report details how the looming food crisis will affect Africa, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Braaied meat and soft-boiled egg Thai salad
This salad with maize, peanuts and eggs will turn leftover braai meat into a completely different meal. Recipe and photo: South African Poultry Association.