In the last few years mechanical pruning has increasingly received more attention and several research institutes in Europe have looked closely at its pros and cons. European growers have also been facing economic pressure with many generating a net loss in their apple business in recent seasons. Mechanical pruning will reduce labour costs in winter significantly and reduces the need to retain increasingly scarce, skilled staff to undertake winter pruning. In this article I look at some European research and consider its application to the New Zealand apple grower.
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