Farm Focus

Avoncrop started strawberry growing at Follyfoot Farm, Somerset in July 2000. the 40 acre farm already existed as a soft fruit production unit, Avoncrop viewed the chance to move into actual fruit production as challenging but also as a means to further develop its understanding of the UK strawberry business.

"We had a mountain to climb when we first started" explains John Buttler, "virtually all crops needed replacing and apart from 1 1/2 acres of Portuguese tunnels, there was absolutely no crop covers."

In 2002 Follyfoot farm produced approx 220 tonnes of fruit from approx 28 acres Elsanta and Everest with small areas of both Florence and EMR 154 (Flamenco) "We now have 12 acres "Spanish tunnels" and this area will increase again in 2003."

Out of this 220 tonnes Avoncrop achieved 197 tonnes of class 1, an impressive 86% average, all sold through Advanced Marketing Services to ASDA.

What are their ever bearer thoughts?

"Having looked at EMR 154, we were quit epleased with the fruit, being attractive with good shape I believe we should have covered this variety earlier than we did. However an early impression is that it falls short on yield achieving 800g per plant whereas with everest we look to 1.2kg plus."

"Most of Avoncrop's fruit is packed on farm, under the direct control of packhouse manager Irena Cruickshank, although during peak production weeks, we had to rely on the help of Andrew Le Provost and the tanyard Nurseries packhosue operation - a big thanks to Andrew."

In 2003 Avoncrop will be using various techniques to both advance and delay Elsanta, these includes fleecing, early tunnelling and the use of black and white poly. "Flattening out production is a key priority in 2003, because we need to ensure no clase of 60 day Elsanta with maincrop."

"In 2003 we shall be using "high density" planting for 60 day Elsanta with a mixture of F.W.B A+ 15mm and 13 - 15 mm plants". Avoncrops strategy on the farm has been not to merely have a development and demo site, but that the first priority has been to establish a soft fruit business, which is commercially successful. this we have now achieved and we can use the hands on experience to develop our products and services.

Spring 2003