EPISODE 8 - December 2021 with Marcel Veens & Troy Mulcahy Bayer HortCast Episode 8 is hosted by Craig White -Market Development Agronomist at Bayer Australia and he discusses the current state of play in the stone and pome fruit industries with award winning Horticultural Adviser Marcel Veens and Bayer Market Development Agronomist Troy Mulcahy. In this episode we discuss how the RIMPro disease and insect prediction model can be useful in assisting growers and advisers to optimise use of chemistry such as Vayego® Insecticide in protecting stone fruit, pome fruit, almonds and macadamias from pests like light brown apple moth, codling moth, various weevils, and carpophilus beetles (depending on crop type) to name a few. Club apple varieties and emerging technologies are discussed in some detail, including the role of robots and drones for managing pests and diseases and manual tasks in orchards, as well as re-invigorating interest from young people to pursue a career in horticulture. High Density planting and orchard block management configurations, with multiple leaders (~10,000 per ha) are very important in achieving high efficiency from emerging technology. Consumer experience is very important as well as packaging innovation developments to drive consumption of healthier options like apples, and this has been seen in Europe, but not as much in Australia. We explore “Why is this so?”. If you have any ideas, get in touch, and let us know. Marcel Veens (Horticultural Adviser) marcelveens.com.au/ Bayer Crop Science website with useful product resources and guides : www.crop.bayer.com.au TWITTER CONTACTS Craig White twitter.com/photobycw Bayer Crop Science Australia: twitter.com/Bayer4CropsAU Users of products must read the label attached to the product before use. Labels and Safety Data Sheets are available at Bayer Crop Science: www.crop.bayer.com.au Some products mentioned may still be under development with an application for registration submitted. Serenade® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group.