Latest new publication

The NIAB Fruit Annual Review 2023 includes results of ongoing and recently completed projects relating to fruit crop protection and crop science carried out at NIAB’s East Malling site in Kent. It also offers an overview of progress with breeding programmes on strawberry, cane fruit and tree fruit rootstocks, alongside a list of the new projects that have started in recent months and the latest developments at The WET Centre, Plum Demonstration Centre and Viticulture Centre. Additional updates are provided on NIAB’s horticulture innovation activities through the Growing Kent & Medway project, and support for training the next generation of fruit research scientists through the CTPFruit Crop Research Scheme.

Commenting on the publication, NIAB’s knowledge exchange manager Scott Raffle (pictured) highlighted the great many projects being funded at NIAB’s East Malling site encompassing a wide range of fruit research topics. “The industry is not always fully aware of our breadth of expertise or the useful results that growers could be tapping into, so we have produced this new publication to raise the profile of our work in short summary reports which are quick and easy to read. We plan to publish this Review annually to keep the industry abreast of project progress and new innovations as they occur.”

Copies of the NIAB Fruit Annual Review 2023 will be available to collect at industry events this year.

NFU Mutual provides bespoke insurance and risk management solutions that meet the needs of those operating within the viticulture sector through every stage of the production process, from grape-growing and winemaking, to retail and wine tourism.

Commenting on the extension, David Harrison, viticulture specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with WineGB for a further three years. It’s a very exciting time for the British wine industry as it grows from strength to strength and becomes a leading light in the international viticulture market.”

With the British climate being ideally suited to growing grapes, it’s no surprise that UK winemakers are internationally recognised as producers of top-quality wine, regularly winning prestigious international awards.

What’s more, there are now over 500 vineyards in England and Wales alone, with 200 open

Meanwhile, Simon Thorpe MW, current CEO of WineGB, said: “We very much welcome and value NFU Mutual’s continued support of our industry and commitment to this signi cantly growing agricultural sector, and look forward to building on the positive relationship established through this strong and ongoing partnership.”

To coincide with the partnership, NFU Mutual launched the Enhancing Vineyard Sustainability Award for Plumpton College MSc (Viticulture and Oenology) students in early April.

The winner is set to receive a £5,000 bursary towards travel and research costs to support the completion of their nal research project on a sustainability issue facing UK vineyards. The objective of the award is to back and promote the next generation of ‘movers and shakers’ coming through Plumpton College.

To nd your local specialist viticulture agent, email: winegb@nfumutual.co.uk