This week we look in on an ARRA™ field day recently held in southeastern Australia.
Fruitmaster’s ARRA Field Day
Earlier this month Fruitmaster held an ARRA field day at Precision Vineyards in Merbein, in the Mildura region of southeastern Australia. Precision Farm owner, Mr. Nick Mammone, welcomed participants to view his ARRA 28 and ARRA 29 vineyards.
ARRA 29
According to Mr Mark Leng, Fruitmaster`s General Manager, “ARRA 29 has great strategic significance for the Australian Table Grape industry from Queensland and down into the Sunraysia region. Consumers and growers alike will benefit greatly from the introduction of this new variety, the flavour, appearance and returns will far surpass Flame Seedless that has traditionally filled this supply window.”
Mr. Mammone is Fruitmaster’s first partner to plant ARRA 29; this variety has incredible fertility, most of the shoots have two bunches. At the time of the field day ARRA 29 was at 5 – 7mm berries size.
ARRA 28
At the time, the vines of Precision Farm’s ARRA 28 were only thirteen months old.
During the field day the ARRA 28 was starting the bloom stage, while the Crimson Seedless at the same farm, was already at fruit set. The bud burst of ARRA 28 occurred about six weeks after the Crimson Seedless.
The ARRA 28 has a high fertility, with many shoots with two bunches. Mr. Mammone carried out bunch thinning, leaving only one bunch per shoot.
Grapa values and appreciates Alysson’s relentless efforts and contribution to learn and adapt the ARRA varieties to the Australian environment and the Fruitmaster program. We are ever grateful to Mark Leng who’s faith and enthusiasm are continuously leading to the further development of the ARRA varieties in Australia.
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We have a crush on this intense cherry-colour variety with its large, elongated, berries. This mid-late variety that boasts excellent sugar-acid balance, cherry flavour and sensational crunch, delights in appearance, taste and eating experience. Proven to be fully rain resistant, the variety also has excellent fertility and exceptional storage ability. It is the ultimate long shipping variety with the best shelf life in the industry.
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In short: THE ULTIMATE RED.
This established early red variety boasts a beautiful, natural, full red colour. It’s large, crunchy berries offer a fantastic eating quality. Good productivity, extraordinary hanging ability, shipping durability and shelf life, make it a choice early red.
The earliest existing red variety in the market ripens naturally 4-5 days before Flame. The advantageous short cycle, natural full red colour, together with large, sweet, crunchy berries make this a perfect Flame replacement. ARRA Fire Kiss has proven to be very fertile and grower friendly, as well as bearing great post-harvest and shipping qualities.