Apple and Pear Australia Limited - APAL

01/09/2026

Despite heavy rain and cold winds, more than 70 growers, researchers, industry providers and international visitors gathered at Agriculture Victoria’s Tatura SmartFarm on 19 August for the biennial PIPS 4 Profit and Narrow Orchard Systems Researcher Roadshow.

In-orchard presentations showcased R&D in action, covering intensified and protected orchard systems, biological control, and research on improving industry productivity, profitability and sustainability.

View resources here:https://apal.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Victorian_PIPS-4-Profit_Researcher-Roadshow-Booklet.pdf

Agriculture Victoria, Fruit Growers Victoria Ltd, Hort Innovation, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture

27/08/2026

Upcoming webinar: Implementing AI tools in the orchard

Monday 14 September | 1:00–2:00pm AEST

Following his popular session at the 2026 APAL Industry Forum, strategic foresight and AI consultant Sami Mäkeläinen returns for a practical webinar exploring how growers can turn AI tools into useful applications within their businesses.

Sami will work through a real-time example using a voice-based AI agent to assist with planning and recording orchard activities, including how structured notes can be generated and built up as the season progresses.

Register here: 4fb23b2d-6622-403f-b360-a503ced408d1@958fa49a-396f-42ad-8d76-f48141df8a65" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/4fb23b2d-6622-403f-b360-a503ced408d1@958fa49a-396f-42ad-8d76-f48141df8a65

25/08/2026

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Margaret Plunkett, a much-loved and respected member of the Goulburn Valley apple and pear community.

Margaret’s contribution to Plunkett Orchards and the wider industry spanned more than 50 years, and her dedication to her family, business and community leaves a lasting legacy.

Our thoughts are with the Plunkett family, the team at Plunkett Orchards and all those who knew Margaret.

Vale Margaret.

25/08/2026

Jeremy Griffith, APAL General Manager, shared this update in the Winter 2026 edition of AFG.

Australia produces the vast majority of its fresh fruit and vegetable supply domestically, with much of this production reliant on irrigation.

The Murray–Darling Basin, as Australia’s largest source of irrigation water, is critical to national food security, affordability and the viability of many regional communities.

Read more:

Jeremy Griffith, APAL General Manager, shared this update in the Winter 2026 edition of AFG. The horticulture sector...

25/08/2026

Phil Turnbull, APAL CEO, shared this update to industry in the Winter 2026 edition of AFG.

In my last report, I reviewed apple supply and demand over the past five years.

The key takeaway was clear: household demand for apples has remained remarkably consistent, even as retail prices have moved significantly.

Consumers remain strongly committed to buying apples and are prepared to pay a fair price for them.

Read more:

Phil Turnbull, APAL CEO, shared this update to industry in the Winter 2026 edition of AFG. In my...

23/08/2026

Upcoming Western Australia PIPS 4 Profit Researcher Roadshows and grower dinners 📢📢

PIPS 4 Profit and the Narrow Orchard Systems project are heading west for a series of research roadshows and grower networking events from 1–3 September.

WA apple and pear growers will hear the latest research on narrow orchard systems, sustainable soils, crop load and thinning strategies, apple scab management, biological control of fruit fly and labour-saving technologies.

The roadshows will be followed by three regional APAL and Pomewest grower networking dinners, featuring industry updates.

Register for Researcher Roadshows: https://www.pomewest.net.au/new-events/western-australia-researcher-roadshow-pips-4-profit-amp-nos

Register for APAL grower dinners: https://www.pomewest.net.au/new-events/202-wa-apple-and-pear-annual-grower-networking-dinners

Pomewest Grower Page, Hort Innovation

21/08/2026

As APAL continues to grow and expand its role in supporting Australian apple and pear growers, the organisation has refined its executive leadership structure to better support the delivery of industry priorities and position APAL for the future.

As part of this change, Jeremy Griffith has been appointed General Manager of APAL, assuming responsibility for the organisation’s industry delivery functions and the day-to-day leadership and integration of APAL’s operations.

Read more: https://apal.org.au/apal-strengthens-executive-leadership-to-support-the-australian-apple-and-pear-industry/

20/08/2026

For apple and pear growers, reliable pollination is fundamental to producing a commercial crop. With Varroa mite now established across several Australian jurisdictions, growers need to prepare for the flow-on effects on the availability, timing, quality and cost of commercial pollination services.

While beekeepers are responsible for managing Varroa mite within their hives, the implications extend to growers who rely on healthy, pollination-ready hives during flowering.

Growers need to plan early. Pollination should increasingly be treated as a core farm input that is planned, budgeted, contracted and protected well ahead of flowering.

Read more: https://apal.org.au/varroa-mite-is-changing-the-pollination-equation-for-growers/

19/08/2026

A new national research program is helping apple and pear growers reduce on-farm food waste and maximise the value of every harvest.

Led by End Food Waste Australia and Hort Innovation, the program is working across the supply chain to identify where losses occur, test practical ways to increase crop utilisation, and find commercially viable pathways for surplus and out-of-spec produce.

Read more: https://apal.org.au/turning-waste-into-value/

18/08/2026

Modern apple orchards are increasingly adopting practices that enhance soil health while supporting long-term productivity.

Reducing herbicide and intensive machinery use can improve soil structure, limit compaction and erosion, and foster biological activity.

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture research is investigating practical orchard floor cover crops and mow-and-throw strategies to optimise orchard and soil health.

Read more: https://apal.org.au/mow-and-throw-a-low-cost-strategy-to-enhance-soil-nutrients-and-orchard-productivity/

Hort Innovation, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, Pomewest Grower Page Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Fruit Producers SA, SWAN Systems