Vegetables NZ Inc

VEGETABLES NEW ZEALAND ROADSHOW WELL-ATTENDED

Antony Heywood : Vegetables New Zealand Inc. general manager

Keith Vallabh (left) and Andre de Bruin receive Life Membership and Industry Service awards from Vegetables New Zealand at the Pukekohe Roadshow 2022

Covid-19 and ‘super spreader’ events were top of mind when the Vegetables New Zealand Inc (VNZI) Board decided to go on the road in lieu of this year’s cancelled Horticulture Conference.

The VNZI Board liked the idea of presenting a technicaltype forum to growers in their own town. While the initial concept was to hold four roadshows around New Zealand, in the end, delivering four events was going to be too costly and time consuming. Given the avalanche of consultation in 2022, on top of an ambitious workplan schedule, the Board settled on two events – one in Pukekohe and one in Christchurch, partnering with Process Vegetables New Zealand (PVNZ). As was the case at Mystery Creek in 2021, the format was to deliver short and sharp technical presentations of no more than 20 minutes with ten minutes for questions. General feedback from the roadshow rated the Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) sessions as having the greatest appeal with Q&A flowing freely. The covered crops session was anchored by an update on the industry partnership agreement between VNZI and the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA). EECA sector decarbonisation programme lead, Insa Errey, updated the audience on the Energy Transformation Plan – a project to decarbonise the covered crop industry via energy efficiency upgrades, followed by an action plan for fuel switching options. Apex Greenhouses rounded out the session with an overview of what they can offer New Zealand growers. What was pleasing to hear from noncovered crop growers was the need for energy efficiency in all vegetable growing operations. The EECA did hear that point and encouraged all growers to connect with EECA or VNZI about how to translate this into action for better, more efficient use of energy. The Pukekohe event was also a prime opportunity to deliver VNZI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). The key action that resulted from the AGM was the removal of the

John Murphy addressing the crowd of vegetable growers and service businesses in Pukekohe

biosecurity levy for the next financial year. Growers did ask during general business that VNZI develop actions for the following issues: 1. Cost of production and the need for better prices for produce to cover inflation 2. Code of conduct on fresh produce 3. More targeted action in the media to tell the grower story.

What was pleasing to hear from noncovered crop growers was the need for energy efficiency in all vegetable growing operations

An awards ceremony recognising the service of several vegetable growers followed the AGM. VNZI recognised Andre de Bruin and Keith Vallabh as life members and awarded both men the Industry Service Award for outstanding service to the vegetable industry. Graham Martin received the Award of Merit in Christchurch at the Vegetables Roadshow Canterbury for his contribution to the Horticulture Canterbury Growers Society. The meeting closed with an address from KPMG global head of agribusiness, Ian Proudfoot, on what food and fibre from New Zealand needs to deliver to a hungry world. Ian recognised that New Zealand needs to look after its own people first, but if we get that right, our nation could be well placed to be recognised as one of the best producers of food and fibre.

Henry Stenning of Agrilink explains how to do a Nitrogen Quick Test

MULCH BRANCHES UP TO 90MM

IN DIAMETER