UNHIDE Agroforestry - A Knowledge Exchange Latvia- Sweden 2023-25 - Report - Page 25
beneficial species. The presence of a particular
ant species that preys on codling moth (Cydia
pomonella) larvae is of particular importance, as
this pest constitutes a major challenge in organic
apple production.
The apple and berry orchards cover 40 hectares
and include twenty cultivars of table and cider
apples. Pruning is carried out over a three-week
period at the beginning of the year.
Ongoing climate change has led to earlier seasonal warming, resulting in advanced flowering and
fruit set, while the risk of frost nights may persist
until May. To mitigate frost damage, several measures are employed, including ploughing between
tree rows to facilitate warm air movement, burning hay bales, and forced air circulation using
a gas-powered fan mounted on a tractor. These
interventions can increase air temperature from
approximately −3 °C to +2 °C.
At our visit, the group discussed whether it would
have been appropriate to use apple varieties with
later flowering.
GRAZING SYSTEMS AND
LIVESTOCK INTEGRATION
Clara Callenbring in the “Perma orchard”.
Species-rich woodland pastures and semi-natural
grasslands, once characteristic of Swedish agricultural landscapes, have declined substantially
over the past century due to reduced extensive
grazing. This decline has occurred despite the
recognised importance of grazing for animal
health and for achieving national biodiversity targets. Re-establishing such systems would require
significant socio-economic adjustments to support
mid- and small-scale livestock production, particu-
