APFIP operates an independent, secure and efficient evaluation network, which encompasses most major temperate tree fruit growing regions of Australia.

Queensland – Granite Belt (Stanthorpe)

Geography: The Granite Belt is an extension of the northern end of the New England Tableland and has an elevation of about 800 metres (Swan, 1972). This elevation causes the cool winters for which the Granite Belt is noted, and this makes the region ideally suited for the production of deciduous tree crops and grapes.

Latitude - 28º20' & 29º5' S

Longitude - 151º20' & 152º5' E

Elevation - About 800 meters

Climate - The climate of the Granite Belt is characterised by cool summers and cold winters with radiation frosts and also low humidity with wide diurnal temperature fluctuations.

• Average annual rainfall - 767mm.
• Average 94 rain days.

Production - Production Area: Bearing area 2000 hectares approx (800ha close planted modern, 1200 ha wide spread old fashioned). Non-bearing area 200 ha approx.

Marketing Data: Queensland
70% Fresh
30% Processed
98% Domestic
2% Export

Marketing Data: Australia
63% Fresh
37% Processed
90% Domestic
10% Export

New South Wales - Batlow

Location - In the southern highlands of NSW, 230 km due south- west of Canberra (ACT), close to major populations of SE Australia of Sydney, and Melbourne.

Elevation - 750-1000m

Latitude - 35º 31 S

Longitude - 148 09S

Climate – The growing season is from Sept - May.

• Average January maximum 25.8ºC, and minimum 13.1ºC.
• Average June Maximum 9.2ºC, and minimum 3ºC. 
• Average annual rainfall - 1319mm.

Irrigated orchards of the district are virtually drought proof. There are few flood prone areas in the district. Hail is historically a one in 7-year event. Hail nets are extensively used. Severe frost has only occurred once in 98 years (1998).

Production - Total district apple production is around 45,000 tonnes (1.2 m cartons) annually (increasing). Batlow is famous for its quality Red Delicious apples and is the proud home of the Bonza variety, and also important are the varieties Gala, Fuji , Braeburn, Pink Lady and Jonagold. Semi-dwarf or dwarf rootstocks predominate with MM106, M26 and M9 most commonly used.

Number of Growers - There are over 65 apple-growing businesses in Batlow and close to 2000 hectares of mostly apple orchards. Orchards vary in size from about 5ha to over 250ha.

Batlow orchardists are proud of their, and their forebears' achievements, and welcome visitors to the spectacular environment provided at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains.

New South Wales – Orange

Location - 250 km due west of Sydney , close to major populations of SE Australia of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Elevation - 860-1100m.

Latitude - 33º 14 S.

Longitude - 148 59 E.

Climate - Mild summers, cool autumns, cold winters.

• Average January maximum 28ºC, and minimum 13ºC.
• Average June Maximum 13ºC, and minimum 2ºC.
• Average rainfall - 880mm distributed evenly through the year. 

Frosts occur from mid April to October and snowfalls can occur from year to year.  Hail is a major climatic disaster and usually occurs most years in the summer.

Soils - Two major soil types are structured earths of volcanic origin which are deep, well-drained and fertile, generally to be found radiating out from the slopes of Mt Conobolas, an extinct volcano. Less fertile shallow, stony white/grey solodic soils with clay subsoil are found to the northeast of Orange .

Topography - Range from the steep slopes around Mt Conobolas to gentle undulating slopes through most of the district.

South Australia - (Lenswood) Adelaide Hills

Location - 35 km east of Adelaide

Latitude - 34 50' S 

Longitude - 138 50' E

Elevation – 350-500 meters

Climate – Cool-temperate / Mediterranean .

• Average January maximum 25 deg minimum 13 deg.
• Average June maximum 12 deg, minimum 7 deg.
• Average rainfall 1000mm, predominantly winter rain over 140 days per year.

Hail is infrequent in this area but can be damaging and significant. Frosts are predominately in the winter months and damaging spring frosts are rare.

Soils - variable podsolic soils to shallow loam over clay, mostly well drained.

Topography - Undulating gentle slopes to steep hills as part of the Mt. Lofty Ranges .

Production
15 pack houses packing 1.8 million cartons of apples and 400,000 cartons of pears with 7 to 10% exported overseas. Variety mix in order of production is, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonathon, Fuji , Gala, and Pink Lady. Major new plantings are of Gala, Fuji , and Pink Lady, with Sundowner increasing significantly. Total area planted in the Hills is 2500ha. Variety mix for pears is, Williams, Packhams Triumph, Lemon Bergamot, Buerre Bosc and Corella. New plantings of pears are only small.

Value of Production - Apples $35 million AUD and Pears $4.8 million AUD.

Number of Growers - 150 in the Adelaide Hills

Western Australia Manjimup

Location - The site is located 300 kilometres south of Perth

Latitude - 34° 15' S
Longitude - 116° 10'E

Elevation - 220-260m

Climate - Cool temperate Mediterranean

• Average January maximum 26° C minimum 13° C
• Average June maximum 14° C, minimum 8° C
• Average rainfall 1003mm, predominantly winter rain

Hail is infrequent in this area but can be damaging and significant when it occurs. Frosts are predominately in the winter months and damaging spring frosts are rare.

Soils - Predominantly deep karri loams and some jarrah sand/gravel soils.

Topography - Gently sloping hills and valleys

Production - 10,500 tonnes

Value of Production - $12 million, Export $4 million

Number of Growers - 35 growers, 527ha, 32% of WA plantings.

Tasmania – Huon Valley

Location - The site is located 35 kilometres south west of Hobart

Latitude - 42 49' S  

Longitude - 147 04' E

Elevation - 20 metres above sea level

Climate - Cool temperate/ Mediterranean 

• Average January maximum 22.3C and minimum 9.3C.
• Average June maximum 12.0C and minimum 2.3C.
• Average rainfall - 750mm

Hail is infrequent in this area. Frosts are predominately in the winter months and damaging spring frosts are rare.

Soils - Range from rich river flat loam near the Huon River to low PH sandy loams on the slopes.

Topography - Gentle slopes on the floor of ancient glacial valley

Production - 40,000 tonnes of apples is produced annually.

Value of Production - $40 million AUD

Number of Growers - Approximately 100

Victoria - Shepparton (Goulburn Valley)

Location - 200 km north of Melbourne

Latitude - 36' 30' S 

Longitude - 145' 20' E

Elevation - 100 metres

Climate - Mediterranean

• Average January maximum 29 deg minimum 14 deg
• Average June maximum 14 deg, minimum 4 deg
• Average annual rainfall 490mm, distributed evenly through out the year

Soils - Sandy loam through to clay loam

Topography - The Goulburn Valley is flat.

Production

• Apples: 1,948 ha -59,000 tonnes fresh and processed.
• Pears: 3,056 ha -70,000 tonnes processed, 65,000 fresh.

Value of production - $ 51 million AUD.

Number of Growers - 400

Victoria - Launching Place (Yarra Valley)

Location - The site is located 75 kilometres North East of Melbourne
 
Latitude - 37' 50 S
Longitude - 145' 35 E
 
Elevation - 190m
 
Climate - Cool temperate/ Mediterranean

• Average rainfall 1000mm, with September and October being the wettest months.

Hail is frequent in this are with damaged expected in 3 out of every 5 years. Frosts are predominately in the winter months and damaging spring frosts are rare.

Soils - Sandy clay loam.
 
Topography - Moderately sloping hills with undulating valleys.
 
Production - 8,000 tonnes.
 
Value of Production - $6 million AUD.

Number of Growers - 35