PIPS 4 Profit Roadshow 1 - 3 September 2026
Martella Santa Rita Orchard Kirup - scene of PIPS4Profit Roadshow Day 2
We thank all the growers and stakeholders for attending the PIPS 4 Profit Roadshow last week. In particular, Matt and Travis Fox, and Terry, Basil and Mark Martella from Santa Rita in Kirup WA hosted the presentations and trial sites. Great engagement and networking opportunities at both events added value.
Over the 3 days, the project teams engaged with 37 growers who represent 70% of the apple production from WA. We were encouraged by many positive comments on the information provided and interest from other growers who want to host the next trial site!
We acknowledge and thank the PIPS Researcher team, Leticia Reis, Kerry Stott, Nigel Swarts, and Marguerite White, for travelling over, and the APAL team, Jeremy, Lauren, Sarsha, and Nick. We also thank our DPIRD researchers for NOS Dario Stefanelli, Asad Ullah, Apple Scab researcher Andrew Taylor, and our own project team, Susie Murphy White and Jen Riseley. We also make special mention of Jason Hingston, Relationship Manager for Apples and Pears from Hort Innovation, for attending the roadshows as our special guest.
What was achieved
TIA Horticulture Centre Leader, Associate Professor Nigel Swarts, and tree physiologist, Dr Leticia Reis, travelled to WA to extend PIPS 4 Profit program research being undertaken in Tasmania to growers of the Manjimup and Donnybrook regions.
TIA leads the Optimising Apple Production Systems (AP22004) and Building Sustainable (AP22003) projects in the apple and pear industry's national R&D program, with partners such as Pomewest in WA conducting regionally relevant research.
Dr Leticia Reis presented results to date on chemical thinning strategies to better manage crop load, while Nigel Swarts extended the transferable messages emanating from both projects nationally.
Hort Innovation funded the projects through the apple and pear research and development levy, with contributions from the Australian Government and co-investment from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, Agriculture Victoria, and the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Fruit Producers SA, Pomewest, and APAL support it regionally. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian Horticulture.
