Thrips are one of the most serious pests of strawberry and in recent years, species other than western flower thrips have been causing significant damage to fruit. Biological control of these other thrips species is proving more challenging. These thrips species fly into and damage fruit as adults, circumventing control by predatory mites such as Neoseiulus cucumeris which only eat thrips larvae. These migrations also often occur early in the season before Orius can establish. New approaches are therefore required to control these migrations of adult thrips.

 

Climate-controlled agriculture offers fruit growers powerful tools to enhance productivity, extend growing seasons, and mitigate environmental risks. These advanced systems create optimal growing conditions regardless of external weather, providing significant advantages for modern fruit production.  

With ambitious government projects underway on farming profitability, land use, and a food strategy, hear from industry speakers about the opportunities for the fresh produce sector to secure political backing to enable and drive growth.

The publication of the Employer Pays Principle feasibility study in June will bring a sharp focus on worker costs within the Seasonal Worker Scheme.  What will this mean for growers in the UK now and in the future?  We will hear the perspectives from the NFU, retailers and a labour provider and discuss how the industry aims to work together to deliver a sustainable and effective scheme for the long term.

 

Presentation of prizes by the Upper Warden of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers Chris Newenham, to the winners of the David Hohnen and Student Essay prizes 

Niab East Malling is a hub for the leading fruit research and development happening in the UK.  This seminar will showcase the latest including:

• Improving raspberry propagation presented by Louisa Robinson-Boyer, Niab
• Brown marmorated stink bug – a new pest of fruit crops presented by Francis Wamonje, Niab
• Managing cool chain of strawberry for improved shelf-life presented by Richard Colgan, University of Greenwich
• Soft fruit genetic improvement network presented by Xiangming Xu, Niab
• Precision orchard management for the environment (POME) presented by Charles Whitfield, Niab

 

The technical merits and efficacy of laminarin a new active for the control of diseases in top fruit and soft fruit.

This seminar will discuss the complex balancing act that packaging needs to perform—meeting multiple, sometimes competing demands including efficiency, sustainability, cost control, consumer expectations while still fulfilling its core function of protecting the product.

Join us for an in-depth seminar exploring the powerful role of Ascophyllum nodosum high-quality seaweed extracts in enhancing fruit production. This session will highlight how seaweed-based biostimulants can improve plant health, increase yield, and boost fruit quality through natural, sustainable means. Attendees will gain insights into the science behind seaweed extracts, their mechanisms of action, and their impact on abiotic stress tolerance, flowering, and fruit set. Whether you're a grower, agronomist, or industry professional, this seminar will provide practical knowledge and tools to integrate seaweed extracts effectively into modern fruit production systems.

Join this seminar to learn about AI-powered insect monitoring for smart farms. This eco-monitoring app utilises advanced artificial intelligence technologies to automatically count and identify spotted wing drosophila, thrips, and whitefly on sticky traps. This ecosystem is designed for the efficient and accurate monitoring of different sizes of farms to ensure early detection, effective pest management, and minimise the need for manual labour and resources. This innovative app helps identify pest infestations early, enabling quick and targeted control measures and providing valuable insights into pest activity and trends.

This dynamic panel session explores the present and future of agri-tech. The UK Agri-Tech Centre will highlight some of the impactful innovations it has supported across the sector and how they can contribute to better yields, before sharing its 10-year ambitions for horticultural innovation - co-developed with stakeholders to address real-world challenges and foster a more systematic approach. 

In today’s dynamic agricultural landscape, the fruit supply chain faces increasing pressure to meet regulatory, environmental, and consumer-driven standards. This seminar explores the intersection of horticultural practices and environmental stewardship, emphasizing the evolving nature of compliance across local, national, and global markets.

Attendees will gain insights into how growers, suppliers, and distributors can navigate environmental regulations, sustainability certifications, and food safety protocols—while maintaining productivity and profitability. Key discussions will include integrated pest management, water and soil conservation, biodiversity, carbon footprints, and traceability systems.

In this presentation, Limgroup will introduce its innovative work with F1 Hybrid strawberries. We will outline the key benefits of hybrid varieties, explain how they are propagated, and explore the opportunities they offer for the future of strawberry cultivation. Special attention will be given to the role of different plant types and how they fit into various growing systems. The session will conclude with time for questions and the exchange of insights.

Join  this seminar to explore Russell IPM’s pheromone monitoring system of Halyomorpha halys, an invasive pest emerging in the United Kingdom (Uk).

Halyomorpha halys also known as the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a serious and polyphagous pest native to Asia but spreading globally with serious impacts on agricultural productivity. The adult bugs were first recorded in the UK in 2018 in South-East England in the wild, and the juvenile stages were detected for the first time in 2024.

 The insect poses a threat to UK horticulture as it can feed on and damage a wide range of plant species, including soft fruit, ornamentals, field vegetables and tree fruit. Additionally, during autumn, the pest may invade homes, creating nuisance issues for residents.

Implementing an effective system for both early detection and monitoring for this pest is important. It allows interventions while pest populations are still at low or moderate levels and manage the pest effectively when it is established. To meet these needs, Russell IPM has developed a cost-effective pheromone  system, specifically designed to  detect and monitor BMSB in both agricultural and residential environments.