The Pros and Cons of an On-Farm Nursery
Mario Miranda Sazo, Cultural Practices
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
The increasing acceptance of high-density orchards and specifically the Tall Spindle Planting System to improve orchard profitability has made orchard replanting more expensive than previously. Our data from Cornell and that of many leading NY growers indicates that the increased planting cost of a tall spindle orchard is offset by much higher early and mature yields than we had previously achieved. Thus, our most recent economic analysis continues to show that the tall spindle system with high quality trees purchased from a reputable nursery is the most profitable planting system. Nevertheless many apple growers are looking for ways to reduce the cost of planting a new orchard by reducing tree costs through the development of an on-farm nursery to produce the trees they will plant in their new orchards. Before a grower enters into an on-farm nursery venture, there are a number of issues to consider. These include intellectual property, tree quality, risk, management demands, potential savings and overall orchard profitability. After careful consideration of these issues, we believe that most growers will decide not to produce their own trees but for the few who will decide to produce their own trees, this article (see complete article in attached pdf document) will address the major issues a grower should consider before beginning an on-farm nursery. Note: This nursery information was originally presented at the 2010 Cornell In-Depth Fruit School On-Farm Nursery Management, March 19, 2010.
The Pros and Cons of an On-Farm Nursery (pdf; 410KB)
Upcoming Events
2024 Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings
April 25, 2024 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 1 of 4
Newark, NY
Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Osatuke, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.
May 30, 2024 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 2 of 4
Lockport, NY
Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Osatuke, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.
June 27, 2024 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 3 of 4
Penn Yan, NY
Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Osatuke, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.
July 25, 2024 : Tree Fruit & Small Fruit Twilight Meetings 4 of 4
Mexico, NY
Join specialists Janet Van Zoeren, Anya Osatuke, and Anna Wallis for a conversation about fruit and berry phenology and pest management, at a new location each month.
2nd Annual WNY Fruit Grower Tour
August 13, 2024
We are excited to announce the second annual Western New York Fruit Grower Tour, the premier fruit tour of the northeast brought to you by Cornell Cooperative Extension's Lake Ontario Fruit Program and Lake Ontario Ag Consulting, LLC! Located in Orleans County, this orchard field day will highlight new and existing products, chemistries, practices, technologies & equipment that shape the orchard industry today. The Western NY Fruit Grower Tour will again combine two past orchard tour events, the LOF Summer Fruit Tour and the Wayne County Fruit Grower Tour, giving industry members the opportunity to conveniently showcase their product offerings to ONE unified group at ONE time and place!
Save the Date - Western NY Fruit Conference - February 4-5, 2025
February 4 - February 5, 2025 : Western NY Fruit Conference
Rochester, NY
For the 2nd year in a row, we'll be having the Western NY Fruit Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Rochester! It will be another 1 1/2 day conference. Stay tuned for program and registration info as we get closer.