Its over – That’s all I want to say about this harvest which is all but finished! One thing’s for sure though, you never get two seasons the same so let’s look forward to our next harvest of stone fruit, pip fruit and kiwifruit. At the same time, we are remembering that our post-harvest operators are forging their way through the many challenges facing them. Shipping restraints remain a major concern of course and this not helped by China’s zero Covid policy meaning millions of people are locked down affecting ports, cool chain transport, sales etc. But we will get through and before we know it another harvest season will be upon us.
In a couple of weeks Thursday May 26th at the HB show grounds, we will be holding our “Hawkes Bay Young Fruit Grower of the year comp” (HBYFG) – we have 8 young bright individuals who have put their hand up and been selected to compete in this year’s competition. On Friday May 27th we have our Annual HBYFG Awards Dinner and speech night. This is an outstanding night of fun, networking and celebrating our industry. We only have a few tables left, so I encourage all our growers to get online and book a seat, bring some of your team along and enjoy a great night out. This year we will be presenting HBFA’s top award – “The Joe Bell Trophy” this award is for outstanding services to the industry. I want to thank all our sponsors who have come on-board to support this great event which has been running for 17 years now. Dean Astill, who was the 2005 inaugural HBYFG winner then went on to take out the top prize and become NZ Grower of the Year came and spoke to this year’s contestants, It was an inspiring story to hear of small beginnings – working in a fruit and veg store while at school to where Dean is now. It’s important we sow hope and vision into our young people of what can be.
I look forward to seeing many of you at this year’s event.
Brydon Nisbet
HBFA President
Jens Liesebach, KGI Lower North Island Representative
Nearly there. The Gold Kiwifruit harvest is over and only a few more Green Kiwifruit blocks are left to harvest. Great effort. It can be said that it hasn’t been an easy harvest as the impact of Covid and limited numbers of workers added complexity and uncertainty. One grower for example had to limit the number of bins picked daily due to packing constraints in the packhouse. At times it was uncomfortable seeing the fruit maturity progressing faster than the picking rate allowed, but the weather played ball, and everything was harvested in the end. Now that the responsibility for the kiwifruit has been handed over to the packhouses, it is time to reflect on the season past. What went well and where is there room for improvement? This will most likely help with the preparation for the new season. Other jobs at this time of the year might be general maintenance and setting standards for winter pruning.
The results of the 2022 Closed Tender Bid process for Zespri SunGold and RubyRed were released last week. The Median Price per hectare for both varieties, Gold and Red, went up, which indicates that there is still strong faith in the Zespri brand. However, not all growers were satisfied with the new framework around the tender process. Zespri are conducting a review of their license release to ensure the pathway remains fit-for purpose and as streamlined as possible. There will be several opportunities to give feedback on the current state and proposed future Licence Release pathway. More information here.
The use of hydrogen cyanamide as a bud breaker is under review by the EPA. This process started mid 2021 and the end of submission was on 20 December 2021. Both NZKGI and Zespri submitted documents to express their concerns about the removal of hydrogen cyanamide from the grower’s toolbox. To support their argument, further studies will be carried out this winter, namely on worker health and bird distribution in orchards in winter. The results will be presented to the EPA in September 2022. Around November EPA staff will issue updated advice to EPA Decision Making Committee followed by EPA public hearings from December.
KVH reminds growers to stay vigilant for new and unwanted pests as egg masses of the Fall Armyworm were recently discovered in Tauranga – with further detections found in the Waikato, Taranaki and Auckland regions (indicating it seems to have been here for a while). While kiwifruit is not known to be a host of this pest it is known to feed on more than 350 plant species and can cause crop damage, as well as defoliation in severe cases (like Tropical Army Worm), so growers are encouraged to stay vigilant and report anything of concern. Images below are there to help identify the Fall Armyworm (MPI). More information on Fall Armyworm can be found on the KVH website here.
Nicola Robertson, Biosecurity Manager, New Zealand Apples & Pears
Keep your eyes open for unwanted pests
As borders into New Zealand open up, it is important to keep biosecurity front of mind in orchards and packhouses. An increase in visitor numbers means increased risk. However, these risks can be kept under control with good communication with incoming travellers and by keeping our own industry biosecurity practices tight.
It is great to see that biosecurity messages on incoming flights are now compulsory. We also look forward to new posters on brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in the arrivals area of the airport to remind everyone to be on the lookout for this key pest. In 2019 we had over 200 detections of BMSB at the border, which was down to 60 this season. Border controls – including the lack of tourists, has brought this number down and we would like to keep it that way.
Much of our industry will be welcoming the opportunity to travel more freely and re-establish overseas connections with customers and markets. Just be careful not to bring any unwelcome guests back home with you. Check your bags for stowaways, especially BMSB and ensure any boots or equipment used in overseas orchards are disinfected properly before they are used here.
Despite our strong border biosecurity, there’s still always the risk of a new organism arriving. Just a few weeks ago we found a lone Fall Army Worm (FAW) egg mass in Tauranga and with a bit of digging, found it was already spread across the upper North Island.
FAW has caused devastation overseas, with swarms of caterpillars damaging crops such as maize, as well as several vegetables. There’s also a small risk to fruit crops as it can feed on 350 different species.
It is a timely reminder to make sure you have good biosecurity practices in place on the orchard to reduce your risk. Unfortunately, by the time we find an unwanted pest it can already be widespread.
To see how your orchard biosecurity practices stack up, checkout the ‘NZAPI Biosecurity Checklist.’
It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for anything unusual. Download the Find-A-Pest app to easily report anything strange you find in the orchard.
Copies of the ‘NZAPI Biosecurity Checklist’ and other NZAPI biosecurity resources can be downloaded from the NZAPI website or by emailing biosecurity@applesandpears.nz
If you have any biosecurity questions or concerns, please feel free to contact NZAPI at biosecurity@applesandpears.nz
Dr Kathleen Kozyniak
Principal Scientist Air
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
April brought some respite from the copious amount of rain we received in the previous two months. Northern Hawke’s Bay got close to normal April rainfall but the rest of the region received only about a third of April’s average total. Soil moisture remains high, despite the paucity of rain, and sits above median levels for the time of year. Groundwater levels are likewise biased higher than usual and river flows are the same. As we head into the cooler months, it takes longer for us to shed the excess water in the environment, so the drier April weather brought only a gradual decline in water stocks. Mind you, April’s air temperatures and soil temperatures were warmer than average, with the latter ending the month at 14°C on the Plains and 11°C in the ranges.
The La Niña is clinging on and still influences our weather. It’s likely to weaken but bets favour it returning in summer, while the chances of a summer El Niño seem remote. Over the next few months we have a weather pattern that hasn’t budged much so far this year. Sea level pressures are expected to be higher than normal to the east of the country and lower to the northwest, so easterly winds will remain prevalent.
One notable change is that seasonal forecast models are much more mixed in their rainfall predictions. There is quite a range of above normal to below normal forecasts, whereas in previous months they were stoic in picking near or above normal totals. Sea temperatures around Hawke’s Bay are closer to normal and anticyclones may be fairly prevalent in the next few months, together taking the edge off the rain factory we had in February and March and steering temperatures to near normal or above normal range. We might see winter introduced in what could be thought of as fairly typical fashion.
Sarah de Bruin
Six months of monitoring complete
Six months of tile drain monitoring throughout spring and summer is now complete in the SFFF “What’s Coming Out of Tile Drains?” project, led by AgFirst. As to be expected, our results have brought up as many questions as answers. Despite being too early for specific nutrient analysis, we have been working on understanding tile flows and their relationship with rainfall, during an uncharacteristically wet spring and summer.
During this six- month period we have completed 15 fortnightly base runs. Nine event runs have also been completed, triggered by a 15mm rainfall event. Tile flow rates are recorded, and water samples undergo field and lab testing to record water quality factors and nutrient data.
As was highlighted in a previous article, we continue to find that no two tiles are equal. Often, there is a difference in flow behaviour between the two tiles at a single site. At some sites we have not recorded any flow to date. This leads to further questions, around the hydrology of the subsurface water system, and the timing and rate of drainage following rainfall events.
Rainfall and water balance
Monitoring began on 1st September 2021, following two particularly dry summers. Rainfall in 2021 from January to September had been lower than average.
However, a wet spring followed, with an average total rainfall across sites of 193mm (1st September to 30th November). This is compared to the 10 year average of 166mm of spring rainfall. Summer was also rather wet, with an average total summer rainfall being 250mm to the 28th February, over double the 10 year average of 103mm. This higher than average rainfall has presented a challenge, creating unreadable submerged tiles. In high flow events where the receiving water submerges the tile exit, no tile flow can be sampled. We are in the process of working to improve our current sampling methodology so that in these events, tile flow data can be captured. The proposed year two sampling method will help to alleviate this. Tiles will be fitted with flow meters and proportional samplers, above the tile exit into the receiving water. In this way, high flow events will not affect the ability to take a sample.
The cumulative water balance using daily rainfall, irrigation applied and 70% evapotranspiration of an individual site, shows there were seven modelled drainage events during the six-month monitoring period. All of these were captured by sampling runs, and some of the larger ones occurred over multiple days. The rainfall event over Waitangi weekend resulted in the soil moisture at this site to get topped up from the cumulative water balance deficit of -35.73mm on 4th February, back up to 41.75mm on 7th February. This resulted in the largest modelled drainage event at this site since monitoring began.
Across the project, this Waitangi weekend rainfall resulted in three more monitored tiles flowing than had been earlier in the summer. The rainfall on the 11th February, resulted in a further modelled drainage event of 25.5mm at this site, as well as triggering one extra monitored tile to flow.
Tile Behaviours to date
Despite the high rainfall during spring and summer, of the 34 tiles across 17 sites monitored,
Recording dry tile occurrences is important data collection, as if there is no flow, those tiles are not contributing any nutrient load to the receiving water body at that point in time.
Nutrient Measurement Results
Conclusive comments around the nutrient analysis at this stage would be premature, as we need to identify and understand results through time and over multiple years.
We do not have reference base levels for nutrients at any given time, to compare our grab sample data too. We also do not know how the contribution of natural nutrient sources may affect levels found in samples.
Additionally, the background story of each tile is also important to understand any output results.
The ongoing autumn and winter monitoring periods will provide valuable insights into our monitored tile behaviours during a period where continual drainage events are common and expected.
Take home messages to date
Both Levels 3 and 4 students are now delving into the theory of training systems and pruning, ahead of their winter of block development and canopy maintenance. In class they will be looking at new and adopted training systems in Hawkes Bay, and current best practice on their development and ongoing maintenance. The Level 4 students are asked to move towards supervising a crew, so please do your best to give them this experience.
The Level 3 students have two botany classes, and there is the option of a catch-up class during tutorial time to make sure this part of the assessment is completed in a timely fashion. Level 4 students completed Complying with Market Needs course now, and that assessment work should be finalised in the next few weeks. Manager attestations cover their students performance over harvest, as well as their understanding of market requirements, focusing on maturity.
Level 5 are discussing what type of leader makes a good role model for employee engagement and motivation. This class is very involved and the students are confronting some challenging issues in the industry. We are impressed with the high level of discussion.
Steven and Clare will be out and about visiting students making sure trainers are aware of what work is due, and what needs to be focused on, but feel free to contact us directly with any questions.
We look forward to seeing our graduates at the HBFA awards night as well as cheering on current and past students in the Young Fruitgrower of the Year.
Sustainable is Attainable is a business-led collaborative approach to minimising waste and adding value to by-products from the food and beverage industry. The Hawke’s Bay initiative was launched in August 2021, in association with the original programme which began in South Canterbury a few years ago. The Hawke’s Bay programme is supported by the region’s five councils, and is led by Dr Nicky Solomon on behalf of the Hawke’s Bay Business Hub. Three students worked with participating businesses over the summer, collecting and collating data on waste and by-product streams, including everything from treated timber to plastic strapping to pomace from juice making. The students developed a long-list of possible opportunities, and several of these are currently being investigated to determine their feasibility. Nicky is keen to expand the scope of the business collective to include those who grow food as well as those who process and package it, so if you are interested in finding out more give Nicky a call or drop her an e-mail before 31 May when we will set an initial meeting date– her details are food@hbbusinesshhub.nz or 027 608 2902. You can find out more here https://www.hbbusinesshub.nz/Sector-Development/food-beverage/sustainable-is-attainable-hawkes-bay
Across our region the main fruit harvest for 2022 is well underway, and for many of us it’s nearly all over. But one thing for sure, there’s no doubt it’s been one of the most difficult harvest seasons to date or at least since I’ve been involved in the industry. We have had the effects of covid in our community and within our workforce. Our growers of course were up to the task with strong and robust H & S procedures which has helped in the prevention of further spread amongst staff. Our post-harvest supply chains have been stretched with shipping delays and staff shortages. Our 3 major providers of RSE workers, Vanuatu, Samoa and Tonga also had nationwide lockdowns as they experienced their own out- breaks of Covid. Tonga was also devastated by the volcano eruption on the 15th of January.
HB had our own wild weather events contributing to the wettest growing season I’ve ever experienced with some areas of HB receiving up to 175 mls of rain in 12 hours. But with all that said the history of our industry and of Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Association show it is always in these most trying times that innovation and the strength of our community come together. We have heard of neighbours sharing labour, ensuring that growers have the equipment and staff to get through there picking. I personally was helped by friends lending me tractor drivers, pickers bags and ladders and staff when things were looking tight for me at one stage. But on a bigger scale we have been witness to industry members working tirelessly around the clock to support our workers from the Pacific. Our industry has fantastic pastoral care networks in place for our RSE. There has been work behind the scenes especially for our Tongan friends, contributing to relief plans for the rebuild post eruption. Our wider community has banded together to assist those orchards affected by recent flood damage, here, and in our neighbouring regions. I want to thank our own community for their continued support of our industry.
We have some exciting initiatives moving forward in 2022 due to be announced soon. We want to continue our focus on supporting our growers through Protecting, Fostering, and Promoting Fruit growing in Hawkes Bay. Megan Dravitzki our Business and Relationship Manager is already bringing fresh energy with new ideas making us well equipped for the future.
Lastly, we can’t wait to come together to connect and celebrate together at the Hawkes Bay Young Fruitgrower of The Year. This year’s field competition is being held at the Hasting showgrounds from 9am – 5pm on May 26th, its free to come along and cheer on the local candidates, make sure you are there to support you’re the tug of war teams. On Friday the 27th May we have our Young Fruit grower of the year Dinner and speech night. This is an outstanding night of fun and connecting with industry people – it’s been a difficult year so far – so I encourage our growers to come and celebrate this great industry event.
Brydon Nisbet
HBFA President
Jens Liesebach, KGI Lower North Island Representative
Slowly but surely the crop is coming off. My guess is that half of the Hawke’s Bay Gold blocks and the first 25% of the Green kiwifruit blocks have been harvested. Initially the start of Green kiwifruit harvest was sluggish, but the additional 40 cents to the kiwistart payment convinced growers to get harvesting which is important for a strong start in the overseas markets. By Sunday last week approximately 40m trays of Gold and 4m trays of Green had been submitted nationally.
Initial feedback from the market is looking positive. Zespri CEO Daniel Mathieson started the new season with key customers and partners in Tokyo. The fruit travelled on the MV Solent Star which is the first out of a planned 72 ships to deliver a crop of over 190m trays of kiwifruit to global markets.
Back home, the government has simplified the Covid rules at work. We still need to be cautious about the spread of the virus. Every step of harvest, from picking and transporting through to packing of the fruit is managed by people. Initially packhouses in the Bay of Plenty reported 300+ staff being off work due to Covid but these high numbers are decreasing day by day. We all need to do our part in keeping Covid at bay to get through mainpack.
NZKGI is currently managing a radio campaign across New Zealand which advertises job vacancies on its Facebook page KiwifruitJobsNZ. Because of the increased advertising work, NZKGI are seeing more hits to the Facebook page than ever before. Placing vacancies on this page is free for employers. For more information about placing an ad, click here.
At the time of writing, the East coast is bracing for another storm. Not welcome news. However, Damian O’Connor did announce some border exemptions for the primary sector today, so this might help ease some worries in the future. Remember that if the stresses of work or just life in general are getting too much, do take some time out. The NZKGI podcasts about stress management and Nigel Latta’s spin on resilience are highly informative and entertaining. Please click here to watch the video.
Ross Wilson
Wow, 2022 is not going to go down as a vintage harvest in the Hawkes Bay. Two significant depressions in the month of March have dropped a lot of rain, there have been more harvest days lost than normal, and crop volumes and packouts are well down on budget. With the final harvest push, maximize as many of your remaining apples as possible, as although the harvest has been extremely difficult, the markets particularly in Asia, are seeking lots of high-quality NZ apples.
Right about now, you not only need to focus on the remaining 2022 crop but be planning to maximize 2023. Immediately post-harvest, the pest and disease focus needs to go onto ensuring good canker and phytophthora control. Ensure pesticide applications are appropriate for the risk and well timed. Walk the high-risk canker blocks and physically remove canker as autumn leaf scars are a major site of new infection. Autumn nutrition applications should also be confirmed addressing each blocks unique needs as dictated by previous soil and leaf tests.
With the 2022 harvest outcomes fresh in your mind, write down the management inputs that need to be better in 2023. Ask the questions, was crop load too heavy or too light, was vigour too high or too low etc? Confirm your 2023 targets early, so right from the commencement of pruning, you have a plan to farm to, with many key management inputs agreed and diarized.
With the fruit growing game changing rapidly, e.g. cost of production and shipping increasing, start thinking about your long term strategy: permanent and casual labour demand and supply, variety mix, planting systems, mechanization, platform ready canopies. Aim to have a medium-long term strategic plan committed to paper.
Fruit growing has never been easy and in the last 12 months its complexity and challenges have gone up 10-fold. Many of you, I know, are seriously questioning the pathway forward. Keep in mind that NZ is one of the best microclimates in the world to grow apples, our industry is well structured, and NZ’s market access is the best in the world. We do need to continually evolve and change with the market, but NZ fruit production has a bright future, if we make smart decisions and execute at all levels with excellence.
