More than 30 apple and pear growers attended BAPL’s Harvest Optimisation Grower Workshop, where five of the UK’s leading commercial apple growers shared the practical techniques, systems and approaches they use to improve harvest efficiency, fruit quality and returns.
Hosted as part of the BAPL Smart Orchard programme, the workshop provided a unique opportunity for growers to learn directly from fellow growers, compare experiences and discuss the practical challenges of delivering a successful harvest.
James Simpson (Adrian Scripps), Ross Goatham (AC Goatham & Son), Tom Hulme (AC Hulme & Sons), Mark Gaskain (Prime Produce) and Robert Hinge (A Hinge & Sons) each explained how their businesses approach harvest planning, workforce management, fruit quality, harvest technology and operational efficiency, before taking part in a lively panel discussion with questions from the audience.
The event generated excellent feedback from attendees, who welcomed the opportunity to hear openly from some of the UK’s most experienced commercial growers and exchange ideas with fellow BAPL members.
To support the workshop, the five growers collaborated to produce two practical harvest optimisation guides, bringing together both their individual approaches and the common themes that emerged from their discussions.
Harvest optimisation resources
Harvest Optimisation: Learning from Five Leading UK Apple Growers
Compare how five successful commercial growers approach harvest planning and delivery, from labour planning and thinning through to quality management and workforce supervision.
Harvest Optimisation Best Practice Guide
A practical reference guide bringing together the common themes and recommendations from the five growers, including ten key principles to help improve harvest efficiency, fruit quality and workforce management.
Sharing knowledge and encouraging the adoption of best practice is a core part of BAPL’s work. Through Smart Orchard workshops, research and practical guidance, BAPL is helping growers learn from one another, adopt proven approaches and continually improve the productivity and competitiveness of British apple and pear production.
