Goulburn Valley fruit growers were updated on the latest horticultural technology and strategies at an orchard walk in Ardmona recently.

Apple and Pear Australia Ltd facilitated the Future Orchards 2012 orchard walk, one of four for the year designed to keep growers at the cutting in edge of fertiliser and irrigation strategies and technologies.

Craig Hornblow, a horticulture consultant from New Zealand, said the session was important for the future of the industry.

"The key thing about today, towards 2012, is helping growers move forward, keeping them informed and raising new ideas," Mr Hornblow said.

Mr Hornblow, who made a presentation on chemical-thinning strategies, said the day was about reaffirming successful strategies and implementing new ones.

"It's about ensuring the basics are covered - water measurement, spray-coverage strategies and spraycalibration techniques."

Geoff Furness from the South Australian Research and Development Institute agreed that getting the basics right is the key to good horticulture.

"If you're going to do a good spray job, there's three things you have to think about - timing, dose and distribution," he said.

"If you get the spray volume wrong, you'll get the dose wrong."

Katunga fruit grower Andrew Routley said that orchard walks were "very useful" to producers.

"It helps show us the way forward in a time where the expectations are increased yield of less acreage," he said.

For future APAL orchard walks, phone Richard Hawkes on 9329 3511.