Top agronomy and an eye for detail produce exceptional yields of high quality dessert apples

摘要

Yields of 80 tonnes/ha and more may not be unusual in cider orchards these days, but for many dessert apple growers it's a rare achievement and likely to remain so for some time.Sean Finlayson, who manages Farmcare's Kent fruit growing operation at Highland Court Farm at Bridge near Canterbury, believes the figure is a realistically sustainable average yield for his new fruit-wall orchards as they come into full production. Indeed, it's a target that must eventually be achieved to secure the future of dessert apples on the farm, he maintains. "Four years ago our target average yield was 50 tonnes/ha. "This year we achieved 60 tonnes/ha and this is now our overall business target.