The first joint technical day between Norman Collett, RAMSAK and East Malling Research (EMR) took place last week, to highlight potential savings in pesticide costs, and to introduce growers to innovations in orchard management machinery.
Hosted by Alan Firmin Ltd, the afternoon began with Jerry Cross and Peter Walklate from EMR delivering a seminar on PACE - Pesticide Adjustment to the Crop Environment - for orchard spraying.
Development research for the system established that label-recommended dose rates should be adjusted for optimum use of the products and also for potential cost savings. A website has been launched to assist growers in making their cost-saving calculations.
Machinery demonstrations were provided by several firms affiliated with the RAMSAK machinery ring. Nick Seymour brought along the Darwin Blossom thinner - the subject of much discussion on the Under 40s trip to Germany last month. Seymour will have two units in the UK for orchard trials this year.
Teagel mowers and band fertiliser spreaders, compost spreading by FGS and a compressed air soil compaction aerator were all demonstrated. The latter worked its way through a piece of water-logged ground, demonstrating its effectiveness in alleviating compacted conditions.
The demonstrations from RAMSAK members were deemed a huge success, as was the whole event. Discussions have started for the 2010 event, with a venue already secured.
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