Rural Solutions SA’s senior horticultural consultant Paul James will present two papers at the Chihuahua International Apple Symposium in Mexico from 14 to 17 November, 2007.

The symposium is a major event and in addition to Mr James guest speakers will also come from America, Argentina and Spain.

Mr James will present papers on an economic evaluation of intensive apple orchard systems under Australian conditions and the development of new Australian apple orchards.

In Chile he will undertake a study tour of the Chilean apple and cherry industries with a particular emphasis on orchard development strategies and tree training systems.

“In particular I will be investigating the use of specific high density systems being promoted as part of the National Apple industry's Future Orchards 2012 project,” said Mr James.

Chile is one of the largest apple and cherry producers in the southern hemisphere and is a major export competitor for Australia, with its apple and cherry orchards located in three regions in relatively close proximity to the capital Santiago.

“The apple industry in Chile is located in two main regions with a lot of the new orchard development in a relatively new area south of Santiago,” said Mr James.

“The study will allow me to see how their systems operate and in turn the knowledge gained will help fine tune the advice and information provided to Australian orchardists.”

Mr James will be incorporating the information into the extension components of his Horticulture Australia Limited funded research project on high-density orchards.

This will be incorporated into the information provided to Australian growers through the activities of the Future Orchards 2012 Project.

Issued by: Terry Price, Media & Communications Consultant, Rural Solutions SA, Telephone 08 8226 2833, Mobile 0434 367 029

Media Contact: Paul James, Senior Horticultural Consultant - Temperate Fruits, Rural Solutions SA Lenswood Office, Telephone 08 8389 8805, Mobile 0419 826 956, james.paul@saugov.sa.gov.au