Walking and talking about apples

Mr Banghu’s main priorities for the next season are extending the top of the support wires, evening up the big branches and keeping his younger block up to speed.

He is a first-generation farmer, buying his Ardmona property in 2020 with his wife Jodi. Their first trees were planted in 2021.

“We do most of the work ourselves, me and my beautiful wife,” he said.

“When we are a little behind, we have hired casual, and because of this, I haven’t had any income this year, and it is a little hard, but hopefully 2026 we’ll be able to come back.”

Despite having a challenging year, Mr Bhangu said the colour of his fruit had been good.

Pomology researcher Alberto Dorigoni took the mic alongside Mr Bhangu throughout the walk, to give advice on what he would do differently depending on what outcome he wants.

Mr Bhangu’s farm was one of two visited on Wednesday, August 6 with the attendees also heading over to Plunkett Orchards in north-west Mooroopna.

The Plunkett farm had three main priorities for its apples — yield, improving colour and fruit size.

The orchard walks were part of the APAL Technical Symposium held in Shepparton from August 4 to 6.