DAF APPLETHORPE HOST
INNOVATION THEME
“Innovation – a new idea; creative thoughts; the application of better solutions that meet new requirements or existing market needs.”
A recent seminar for local growers and others hosted by DAF at the wine college in Stanthorpe had Innovation as the theme of the presentations. An interesting array of speakers addressed the 30-40 strong gathering with topics ranging from cold-pressed juice to overseas study tours, water storage, finance, and drone technology on farms.
Two very inspirational speakers spoke about their overseas study tours conducted as a part of their involvement in cropping and being selected for their respective areas of interest in the hort sector.
An informative day for all was followed by lunch and the chance for some networking.
It is hoped that more of these days will happen soon, with acknowledgment to Clinton McGrath, Justin Heaven, and Laura Carman from DAF for hosting this latest gathering where local growers and industry can meet and share ideas.
These are important opportunities, particularly with the current drought, for everyone to get involved and learn how to cope and become more resilient in the short and long term when dealing with the effects the drought is having on their livelihoods.
Catalogue
Success Stories
Rewards Group Ltd
As major investors in the Australian horticulture industry, Rewards Group Ltd needs to ensure maximized returns on all funds invested, particularly in orchard infrastructure. Accordingly, our choice of contractors is critical to the final success of any project.
At Rewards we recognise that NetPro Pty Ltd is clearly the industry leader when it comes to protective canopies. They have the best quality product, and a reputation to match. Rewards Group is now a major client of Netpro, having recently covered over 90 hectares of stonefruit orchards at Childers, and we are also finalizing new canopies at our Kumbia orchard.
Canopy construction is still on-going, and we are 100% satisfied with the projects completed for us in the three years to date. The quality of finish, the robust engineering … it’s all first-class. Our choice & trust in NetPro has been well and truly vindicated by the finished results. We consider the canopies to be a serious & integral factor in the protection of our fruit — consequently it’s been a high component of our investment in these projects.
Apart from the known protection features (from fruit-bats, birds and hail), we are capitalising on the valuable bonus that the canopy structure creates a controlled microclimate, resulting in wind reduction (with less fruit-rub), more stable growing temperatures, and enhanced colour. All in all, it creates a safe & ideal environment for the production of our fruit.
As a fruitgrower myself, I have worked closely with Netpro over many years covering my own orchards, so already had plenty of previous experience with their highly professional standards.