On 31 July 2026, British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) is bringing together five of the UK’s most experienced commercial apple growers to share the practical techniques, systems and approaches they use to deliver successful harvests.
The BAPL Smart Orchard Harvest Optimisation Grower Workshop will feature an open discussion with James Simpson (Adrian Scripps), Ross Goatham (AC Goatham & Son), Tom Hulme (ACH Farming), Mark Gaskain (Gaskains Ltd and Prime Produce) and Robert Hinge (A Hinge & Sons), covering every stage of harvest planning and delivery.
Topics will include:
- Planning labour requirements and picker productivity
- Pre-harvest thinning strategies
- Assessing fruit maturity and harvest timing
- Harvest equipment and technology
- Maintaining fruit quality in the orchard
- Workforce management and supervision
- Digital tools supporting harvest operations
Ahead of the workshop, the growers have collaborated to produce two new practical guides for BAPL members:
- Harvest Optimisation: Learning from Five Leading UK Apple Growers – a practical comparison of how five successful businesses approach harvest planning and delivery.
- Harvest Optimisation Best Practice Guide – bringing together the common themes and practical recommendations emerging from the above grower insights, this guide includes ten key recommendations to improve harvest efficiency, fruit quality and workforce management.
Ali Capper, Executive Chair of British Apples & Pears Limited, said: “One of the greatest strengths of our industry is growers’ willingness to learn from one another. We’ve brought together five highly successful businesses, each with different systems and approaches, to share what works for them in practice.
“No two orchards are identical, but there are common principles that can help growers improve efficiency, fruit quality and returns. By capturing that knowledge and making it available to BAPL members, we’re helping the whole industry benefit from decades of practical experience.”
Workshop participants will receive both publications, which will also be made available to BAPL members following the event.
BAPL members who want to attend this or other Smart Orchard Grower Workshops, should email admin@britishapplesandpears.co.uk.