Christmas tree growers to demonstrate drone technology

Irish Christmas Tree Growers (ICTG) will hold its annual Harvest Field Day on Friday 2 October at Laganvale Farm, 55a Sandy Lane, Lisburn, Co Down (BT27 5TL), bringing together growers from across the island of Ireland, and guests from the British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association (BCTGA), for a day of technical demonstrations, industry networking and friendly competition.

This year’s event will place a particular focus on drone technology, demonstrating the economic, environmental and health and safety benefits it offers to growers as they harvest and manage their plantations. The demonstrations have already generated strong interest from the media.

ICTG is an all-island body representing Christmas tree producers, and the Harvest Field Day is its flagship autumn event. Taking place at the end of the growing season and immediately before the industry’s busiest trading period in November, the Field Day gives growers the chance to inspect their trees at their most perfect stage, exchange views on current market trends, and pick up practical, hands-on knowledge from host farmers Ian and Nadine Gilmore.

© Irish Christmas Tree GrowersEyes in the sky: drone technology is transforming how Christmas trees are grown, monitored and protected.

“The Harvest Field Day is one of the highlights of our calendar. It is a chance for growers to come together, share ideas and see first-hand the innovations that are shaping our industry – and this year’s drone demonstrations are a great example of that,” said Joe Flynn, Chair and Secretary of ICTG. “We are also delighted to welcome so many of our colleagues from the BCTGA. Ian and Nadine Gilmore have a great deal to teach us about maximising income from farming, and we are grateful to them for hosting us at Laganvale Farm.”

As the growing season draws to a close, ICTG members are busy selecting and labelling trees for their customers, and identifying their finest specimen for entry into the ICTG ‘Champion Grower of the Year’ competition. As well as an engraved plaque, the winning grower earns the prestigious honour of presenting a Christmas tree to the President of Ireland – a tradition that has continued for more than thirty years.

“The Champion Grower competition is about more than a trophy,” Mr Flynn added. “It celebrates the skill, patience and care that goes into growing a truly outstanding tree, and it is a wonderful way to mark the end of another season.”

For more information:
Irish Christmas Tree Growers
Email: [email protected]
irishchristmastreegrowers.com/