Growers visiting Fruit Focus on 12th July in East Malling, Kent, will be able to explore cutting-edge research and innovation projects, funded to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the fruit sector.

Growing Kent & Medway and Canterbury Christ Church University are joining forces in a new collaborative partnership aimed at connecting horticultural and food and drink businesses with agri-technology specialists to drive research and innovation in the sector.

Dingle Farm grows around 60 different varieties of cherries, apricots and plums in Worcestershire, including a number of trial varieties – with its key aims being to increase yields and fruit size, and to find later varieties. Deputy editor Sarah Kidby spoke to farm manager Matt Foster to find out more.

The International Blackcurrant Conference returned to Herefordshire this year with an inspiring two-day programme featuring talks from industry experts, a presentation on different weed control methods, harvest forecasts and visits to three prominent UK fruit farms.

Although British strawberry season arrived a month later than usual due to the cool spring weather, the slower ripening period means the nation can expect to enjoy bigger and juicier berries this year, experts have said.

Inverness-based fruit and vegetable wholesaler Sky East UK is moving forward with its plans to develop a specialist reactor for converting natural waste into an environmentally friendly soil enhancer, made possible by a £150,000 investment from HSBC UK.

Diversification from traditional farming practices affords many opportunities for improving the economic viability of many farm businesses whilst benefiting the wider rural community by providing additional jobs and encouraging tourism. VineWorks head of retail, Cherry Constable, explains why viticulture could be a suitable diversification option.

British blueberry season has officially begun, with producers predicting a larger, sweeter crop than ever in 2023.

Additional items have been added to the scheme for 2023, including mulchers for orchards and vineyards to help reduce input costs and improve carbon retention in the soil.

Tinwood Estate is a family-owned vineyard growing high-quality grapes that produce fine English sparkling wine. Located on the edge of the South Downs near Chichester in Sussex, owner Art Tukker has seen the parcel of land go through significant changes over the years.

The Arbikie Highland Estate in Angus has developed a pea-based gin, now sold worldwide, to reduce its reliance on fertilisers and its carbon footprint.

New guidance released by Defra states that farm buyers are now eligible to claim delinked payments on recently purchased land, provided they made a valid BPS claim this year.