Ten emerging leaders from Australia’s cherry industry have returned home equipped with new knowledge after participating in an international study tour to Washington State, USA, funded by Hort Innovation.

Led by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the study group travelled from Seattle to Richland, Washington State, from 28 May to 6 June, visiting key cherry-growing regions including Wenatchee, Quincy, Mattawa and Prosser.

Brett Fifield, CEO at Hort Innovation spoke to the benefits of the tour, stating: “Investing in our emerging leaders is essential for building a strong and innovative future in Australian horticulture. Programs like this are all about building the pipeline and knowledge among the next generation of growers." 

NSW DPIRD Temperate Fruits Development Officer, Jessica Fearnley-Pattison said, the tour coincided with the tenth International Cherry Symposium, providing participants with a unique opportunity to engage with global experts and explore large-scale production systems.

“The tour was designed to expose Australian growers to innovative practices and technologies used in one of most productive cherry regions in the world,” Ms Fearnley-Pattison said.

“Washington State produces more than ten times Australia’s national cherry crop, so it was an invaluable opportunity for our growers to see how large-scale operations manage quality, logistics and export readiness.

“This study tour has provided these emerging cherry industry leaders with the necessary tools and knowledge to expand and improve their own orchard operations back in Australia.”

Ms Fearnley-Pattison said the group visited several leading cherry orchards and packhouses, focusing on quality management, new variety development and advanced growing techniques.

"Some of the key learnings included the use of reflective ground covers to enhance fruit colour, trellis systems to improve canopy structure and fruit size, and strategies to manage tree vigour,” Ms Fearnley-Pattison said.

“One of the main focuses was understanding how U.S. growers consistently deliver high-quality fruit to export markets.

“These insights are crucial as Australian producers look to strengthen their global competitiveness.”

At the International Cherry Symposium, participants connected with researchers and industry leaders from Chile, China, Italy and the United States.

Presentations covered a range of topics including early-season varieties, climate resilience through protective covers, the use of gibberellic acid (GA) to improve fruit firmness, and innovations in mechanical harvesting.

"We’re thrilled that this cohort from the cherry industry took on so many learnings and look forward to seeing them implement innovative changes on farm following the tour,” concluded Fifield.  

This Emerging cherry leaders program, is part of CY22002 extension and communication for the australian cherry industry project and is funded by Hort Innovation using the cherry research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.