Avoscene May 2013

T H E N E W Z E A L A N D AV O C A D O G R O W E R S ’ J O U R N A L

Inside this Issue 

Register for Nutritional Values now at www.avocadoconference.co.nz



Ashby Whitehead new NZAGA & AIC Chair

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Effects of drought on avocado production



Getting crop estimation right

MAY 2013

NEW ZEAL

AND

PREMIU AVOCAD M OS

Directors

Contents

Bay of Plenty Ashby Whitehead NZAGA & AIC Chair Ph 07 573 6680 m. 027 283 2192 alwhitehead@xtra.co.nz Far North Ian Broadhurst Ph 09 406 7308 m. 021 395 906 kingavocado@xtra.co.nz At Large Roger Barber Ph 09 435 0785 m. 021 488 124 barbers@ihug.co.nz John Cotterell Ph 07 549 3395 m. 0274 513 138 jccotterell@actrix.gen.nz John Schnackenberg Ph 07 549 0717 m. 021 731 437 jschnack@ihug.co.nz Tony Ponder NZAGA Vice Chair Ph 07 552 4223 m. 0274 733 712 tony@flaxmillavocado.co.nz Rest of NZ David French Ph 09 238 3359 m. 0274 375 315 famille@ps.gen.nz Export Directors Alistair Young, Mark Yortt

Avoscene Advertising & Editorial Avoscene is published by New Zealand Avocado For editorial contact: Natasha Mitchell Sun Media Ltd No.1 The Strand, Tauranga Ph: 07 578 0030 Fax: 07 571 1116 email natasha@thesun.co.nz For advertising contact: Rose Hodges at Sun Media Ltd email rose@thesun.co.nz Design and production: Kym Johnson, Sun Media Ltd email kym@thesun.co.nz Printed at: Kale Print

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Regular Columns Chairman’s comment CEO’s comment Exporters’ comment Packer update Local marketers’ comment Organic growers’ comment Regional Roundups New Zealand Avocado highlights Growers’ comment

5 6 9 10 11 12 14 17 18

Features Avocentric: Greg and Heather Bayliss Market focus: South Korea Crop estimation: Getting it right Regional maturity monitoring programme Effects of drought on avocado production

20 21 35 37 41

News New Chairman announced Industry news Avocado news from the World

22 23 26

Research & Technical Reed trial update Pollination of avocados: The importance of pollinisers and pollinators New cultivar trial update Reading your trees

29 30 38 42

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By Ashby Whitehead NZAGA and AIC Chair alwhitehead@xtra.co.nz

I Chairman’s Comment I

Building on good foundations With this being my first chairman’s article, I would like to thank our former chairman John Schnackenberg for the excellent job that he has done in leading our industry for the past five and a half years.

There have been some difficult challenges in this time with ASBVd, avocado scab and a Board restructure. There was also a very poor season in 2011-12 as far as returns were concerned, which in turn led to considerable unrest amongst growers. John has led the industry through these obstacles and I believe we are in a much improved position thanks to his great stewardship. Many thanks, John.

I would also like to thank Mike Eagles for his contribution to the industry. Mike resigned from his role as the NZAGA Grower Representative for the Mid North region in April. He has done a very good job for the growers in the mid-North over the last eight years. Mike has been a battler for the best interests of growers and was awarded an NZAGA service award for contribution to the industry at the AGM in 2012. He has focused strongly on issues affecting Northland growers and has recently been working closely with HortNZ on water and electricity issues to ensure growers are protected when new rules or regulations are rebated and enforced. Mike is the Chairman of the Rural Support Trust and has recently been heavily involved supporting drought affected farmers in the Whangarei district.

The Mid North seat will remain vacant until the grower elections prior to the September AGM. The seat has a one year term remaining, so the grower elected to this role will be elected on a one year term.

The Executive agreed the vacancy from now until the AGM does not disrupt our ability to govern. Roger Barber, an At Large Grower Rep. will cover regional issues for the Mid North on top of his responsibility for national issues.

We also have a new export director, Mark Yortt, who has replaced Andrew Darling as an export director. Thank you Andrew for your efforts over the years.

It is a team effort and the strong and robust debate we have around the table is characteristic of a healthy Board and leads to good decision-making. I look forward to working with Mark and the new Board members who will be elected before the AGM. 2012-13 season The 2012-13 season has shown good returns to growers on a lighter than expected export volume of 1.2 million trays. This was due to a good return out of Australia after a lower than predicted supply from Western Australia. Good returns were also shown from Singapore. Japan took a lower than expected volume due to a strong Mexican presence at a lower than predicted price point.

2013-14 crop It is good to see that predicted Bay of Plenty volumes are back up after the 201213 season. It appears that it is mid North’s turn at this. I feel for these growers with little or no crop, as I experienced this problem last season.

Industry collaboration The Avocado Exporters Council (AVEC) has become an incorporated society and this will hopefully lead to more cohesion amongst exporters and provide some structure to develop new markets. AVEC has seen our exporters become more disciplined and increase their levels of collaboration as

they develop and maintain their relationships with their Asian markets.

Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) At the time of writing, the PGP business case has not yet been accepted but is being worked on furiously. If this is accepted, we are hoping to increase investment in market development and research to improve yields and decrease the effect of irregular bearing.

Thanks must go to Jen and her team on the effort that has been put into the PGP business case.

New elevating work platform guidelines Over the past three years I have been involved with the rewrite of the ‘Best practice guidelines: Safe use of elevating work platforms in the horticultural industry’ and in early April it was finally endorsed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

It is available on the industry website www. nzavocado.co.nz/industry > Risk Mngt > Health & Safety. I urge growers to take some time to read this document.

Joint conference We have an exciting event on the horizon – the 5th Quadrennial New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers’ Conference, Nutritional Values, being held 9-12 September 2013 in Tauranga.

This is an excellent opportunity for the stakeholders of the industry to come together and focus on the bigger picture for our industry.

Speakers will explore the opportunities we have and what it will take to realise these.

We will also learn about the amazing health properties of the avocado and the latest on maximising production in your orchard. I encourage you to join us at this event and I thank the sponsors who are supporting the industry to make this conference possible.

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Grower letter I CEO’s Comment I Dear Editor A couple of months ago we attended a wellsupported AVANZA Road Show in Tauranga and I left the meeting with a strong belief that most attendees supported this industry collaboration.

I am now aware that another collaboration has been formed, and would like to better understand how AVOCO™ fits into the industry structure?

Regards, Sid Turnbull, Katikati Editor: We understand that there are a number of collaborations being formed across the industry, and will look to include an article in the next issue of AvoScene on those collaborations.

Grower letters in Avoscene If you want to express a view or ask a question (technical or other) that you would like other growers to read in Avoscene then please contact us.

The deadline for letters to be featured in the upcoming August issue of Avoscene is 1 July.

Please be aware that we may not be able to print every letter due to space constraints. All letters must be 300 words or less. Letters must be in good taste and focus on issues of general concern, not personalities.

Letters must contain a name, address and daytime phone number of the author.

NZ Avocado reserves the right not to publish material which may offend readers and may reject or edit any letter.

Forward your letter to Jen Scoular at avoscene@nzavocado. co.nz or fax to 07 571 6145 or you can post to Avocado Industry Council, PO BOX 13267, Tauranga 3141.

A finge It’s a great way to get a pulse on the industry – getting out and meeting you at roadshows.

I was asked by someone outside the industry how many growers we would expect at each roadshow and I said between 20 and 50 at each one, which was about right. We could look at that and say, that isn’t a lot of growers from the 1,600 we have in the database, but everyone has the opportunity to turn up, get an update and talk through any issues with us, and those that do usually stay for a cup of tea and a chat afterwards.

That’s my time to learn more about you, what you are seeing on your orchards, what you are planning, how you are feeling about the industry.

The April roadshows were certainly more positive than a year ago; returns coming in are showing some good per tray figures, though obviously with much lower yields, returns that are less than optimal per hectare.

OGR template I hope you have had a look at the OGR (Orchard Gate Return) template we have on the website. Nici has managed that process, and I congratulate her on beating the nay-sayers who suggested we wouldn’t get an industry-wide definition of OGR. The template is blank so you need to fill in the returns from your pool summaries, but I think it’s a good start to have a definition of OGR for the industry. It’s also version 1; we are keen to have feedback and welcome suggestions for improvements to make it more useful for growers.

2012-13 successes As I write this I’m also double-checking the budget we are presenting to the Board. As a management team we have reviewed progress towards delivery of our five year plan and have set objectives for the coming season to further enable delivery of that plan. I covered

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By Jen Scoular CEO New Zealand Avocado jen.scoular@nzavocado.co.nz

er on the pulse off in the roadshows what I thought our biggest successes were, but no harm to repeat them here.

I am certainly much more informed about what is happening across the wider industry. The market development plans I receive from exporters provide great information; I hope you are all seeing more information from your exporter on their plans for next and future seasons. Collectively we all need to be doing a bit more longer term planning if we are going to succeed with the profitable sustainable industry we are working towards.

Across the industry we can’t underestimate the amount of work involved in developing new markets and our ability to be successful is absolutely enhanced when we work collaboratively on market development.

We have worked hard over the past year to focus on fewer science projects but ensure we deliver from them.

Alvaro has streamlined the new cultivar evaluation, limiting the size of the cultivar trials without impacting the ability to get results, and ensuring more field days are held in the trial blocks or in orchards commercially growing new cultivars. Glenys has focussed on the second year of the pruning trial, with an excellent meeting with all orchardists and the pruning contractors in the trial to share data and knowledge. Henry has been strongly pushing market access and we are very happy to report we have gained access for India – access we truthfully thought may have been a few years away yet.

Nici updated the full year forecast just prior to the last finance committee meeting, with an update of the domestic commodity levy collected, which suggests the value of the NZ market this year exceeded $27m, a record, and a tribute to excellent work by

local marketers, real success in raising visibility, but more than anything, a more collaborative team heading in the same direction – to add real value to the sector.

Congratulations to all those involved and well done to Bevan, who has done some great work collecting and sharing information, and promoting a more collaborative approach across the players in the New Zealand market to drive value. A great measure to report against in a year’s time. No pressure local marketers!

Annual subscription We did discuss an annual subscription fee at the roadshows. We talked about this at the Commodity Levy roadshows in July last year and wanted to see how you felt about that. We are not promoting it; we wanted your opinion as to whether it would add value to you as growers. There would be no change in income for NZ Avocado; any income from a subscription fee would mean a reduction in levy rates.

Currently growers not exporting don’t register with us, and an annual subscription fee would mean that growers wanting to hear from us and attend our activities would need to pay the subscription fee to be on the mailing list and be included in all invitations and events. We mooted a separate fee of $150 on top of the export registration fee or a combined subscription and registration fee of $300 or $1000. The $1000 idea wasn’t well supported but growers in general at the roadshows liked the idea of an annual subscription fee but there wasn’t a clear view on the amount or whether it should be combined with the export registration fee. It’s a grower question so its implementation would need to be supported by growers at the AGM.

If you have a view, please share it with us at the online forum www.nzavocado. co.nz/industry/avoforum_results.csn Nutritional values 2013 I am really excited about the grower conference in September. The lineup of speakers Midge and Henry are attracting is terrific, and the conference represents an exciting opportunity for us to increase our awareness and knowledge of the amazing health and nutritional properties of the avocado and explore opportunities to leverage the nutritional benefits of this fruit.

Our avocado ambassador Nadia Lim is joining us, Russ Ballard will present a big picture view on the world in which avocados fit and Stephen Toplis, BNZ Economist will share his insights on the economics impacting our industry. They each have a wonderful ability to make their topic exciting and interesting.

My expectations won’t be met unless lots of you are there because I won’t understand how you would miss such an opportunity to increase your knowledge, understanding and connections in this amazing industry we are all a part of.

Registrations are open – and I’ll keep nagging until you’ve got your tickets!

See all the details online at www. avocadoconference.co.nz or register using the forms we have included with this issue of Avoscene.

New Chairman As we change chairman, I acknowledge the wonderful support John has provided me as I’ve taken on the role, his passion for the industry and the workload he has carried, and I’m very pleased he will remain on the Board.

I welcome Ashby as our new chair, knowing he will take the industry forward, drive hard to get results, and push us all to deliver value to growers.

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By Alistair Young AIC Export Director alastair@southernproduce.co.nz

I Exporters’ Comment I

Those emerging markets - a hot topic I am always interested to hear each individual’s opinion on market development and what each person’s take is on what needs to be done about emerging markets.

These discussions are at times quite inspirational but many of the aspirations are based on popular belief created by discussions in the heat of the moment or by opinions expressed at industry meetings.

What we do know without question about emerging markets is that we must expand our horizons to maintain healthy industry growth. That’s a no-brainer. Just where and how we do this is a matter for conjecture.

Let’s take a critical look at ourselves.

The challenge with emerging market development is that marketers and industry politicians alike can extoll the virtues of a market opportunity based on very little or no evidence to support the claim that the market in question is in fact viable.

These claims need challenging.

The questions that need to be asked are: Is the return viable from this market when taking into account the international competition? What growth can we expect?

Is it enough to make the investment in developing the market worthwhile?

Let’s look at a case study on a market that is relatively successful, namely Japan.

Japan has been a project of mixed success, mostly due to the competitive pricing from Mexico. Yes, our product is better quality at the time of year we ship there,

but Mexico still calls the shots on baseline value. Japan currently consumes 10 million trays of Hass annually; of this consumption New Zealand supplied 116,000 trays or 1.16% in 2012. New Zealand has a tiny amount of influence in this massive marketplace but we have made a mark.

But before we run off and drink the champagne, there are some realities to sober us up.

The problem with Japan is the economics of the returns and the cost of on-going maintenance of quality through inventory management. The Mexican competition sets the benchmark for our sales values and it is not helped by the high value of the New Zealand dollar against the Yen, which in 2013 makes the orchard gate return marginal at best. We have to, and will be, in this market this season as an industry. Japan is still the best alternative to Australia, considering the combination of value and volume.

Other markets There are other markets that pay better than Japan; they just don’t buy enough product in the short to medium term.

Singapore and Korea are positive examples of market growth with good value but significant volume increase will take time and investment to have a major effect.

Then there is our quality reputation.

I often hear at meetings the cry “why aren’t we shipping to China, Taiwan and Thailand?” “What about India?” And so on. These markets all hold opportunity, sure, but are they economic and more critical in the early stages of development?

Are they capable of handling avocados with suitable infrastructure to protect quality?

There is no point in shipping a container into a potential market only to have consumers unable to eat the fruit due to poor handling and cool chain management by inexperienced receivers.

Avocados are a specialist produce line; they require expertise to grow, pack, ship, distribute and retail. We as the New Zealand avocado industry need to ensure that our business partners in all facets of the marketing process know the product and what is needed for a consumer to have a good experience.

Shipping some fruit to a market does not mean the job is done, that’s the easy bit. We as an industry need to protect our investment all the way through the system.

Finally there is supply.

The biennial nature or ‘irregular bearing’ (which is the new fashionable phrase) is an enormous handicap for New Zealand to grapple with.

One year we develop a market, the next we are apologising that we cannot keep up. The work we carry out in growing demand too often becomes an opportunity for another country’s fruit to gain a foothold. We need to overcome this handicap and soon.

So what’s all this leading to?

We must focus only on those markets which when evaluated show a viable return. We must ensure we don’t just load up a boat and expect that market to do well without in-market management and we must reduce the effect of irregular bearing.

The only acceptable outcome is to see these challenges met. That outcome requires a lot of work by all of us.

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Top effort from packers Each season AsureQuality produce a quality management report summarising the key audit activities undertaken at packhouses as part of the quality assurance system run

by NZ Avocado.

The results this season are excellent, with good compliance across in all key areas. Major highlights are: • 97 samples tested for residues of which 81% would have qualified for “all market access” status with either no residues present (16%) or postharvest residues only (86%). Preharvest residues detected came from five chemicals, namely chlorpyrifos (7), pirimiphos

10

methyl (2), fluvalinate (2), tebufenozide (1) and maldison (1).

• Three packers had no noncompliances (Seeka, Far North Packers and Kerifresh), with a further three having only minor non-compliances, six with only one major non-compliance and two with two majors. Overall 21 non-compliances were issued which is the lowest level in six seasons.

• Only one packer has ended the season with a high risk rating, down from three at the start of the season. Eleven packers ended the season with a low risk rating.

• Only one grade failure was found during the audits from 68 lines tested.

• The total defects level was 3.4% of the 15,546 fruit inspected, the lowest since the 2004-05 season.

• The proportion of fruit aged 11 days or more for the Australian market was about 6%, a similar level to the past two seasons with an improving trend since

the 2006-07 season.

• All fifteen packers have a waterblaster installed with 13 commissioned to the USA specification, of which five are also commissioned to the nonUSA specification. Only two are commissioned to non-USA specification only. Of the 40 audits of waterblaster operation, 22 were operating at the USA specification.

• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (AU) off-shore preclearance failure rate was 2.1% (the lowest equal failure rate since the programme has been operating) with seven failures from 340 lots inspected. Five of the failures were for contaminant pests.

• The one notable negative trend was a decrease in the proportion of fruit picked and packed with 24 hours, down from 45% to 32%.

Congratulations to our avocado packers on a job well done.

By Mike Swan Domestic sales and marketing Southern Produce Ltd mike@southernproduce.co.nz

I Local Marketers’ Comment I

The best season we have seen The change of seasons is now well and truly upon us and the drought I spoke of in my last article seems a distant memory. What a way to end a dry spell! In the Bay of Plenty the rainfall topped 200mm in 24 hours and at one point was falling at 94.7mm per hour.

It’s always difficult to quantify the effect that weather events have, but there was a lot of comment that crop being hung late for late local market supply had been reduced considerably as a result of the wind and rain.

Having said this, there is still currently a supply of fruit both on the wholesale market and in the retail channels. As expected, values have increased markedly as the supply shortens.

Looking back on the season just finishing, we can be satisfied that it has been one of the best we have seen, in terms of both values returned to growers, and category development in New Zealand.

It is not often that returns on fruit

sold on the local market rival the export returns.

Without a doubt, the lower crop volume is the key driver in this result, but I believe that there was still some real headway made in the mind-set and relationships between those involved in the New Zealand avocado marketplace.

Supermarkets have played an important role in the development of the avocado category in New Zealand.

We have seen information videos on how avocados are grown, how to select the correct ripeness, and even three tiered ripeness shelves offering different stages of maturity.

Those of us supplying the retail chains are continually offering product support to those people who handle our crop further down the supply chain. Produce manager guides, in-store demonstrations and promotional activity all help keep the avocado profile up.

It was heartening to see the (rescheduled) NZ Avocado end of season road show in Omokoroa (BOP) well attended on April 23. The good participation extended to discussion from the floor, with some apprehension still surrounding the ability of the domestic market to deliver good returns in an on-year.

Clearly there are some factors over which we have no control, the

primary one being that a New Zealand population of four million people can simply not absorb all of the non-export fruit presented in a three to four million tray export season.

Growers can still lessen the effect a big season can have on domestic values by considering the following: 1. Target export. If every grower was able to achieve a 70% pack-out, the effect on the volume spilling into the local market would be huge.

2. Be proactive about the fate of your non-export fruit. Who is selling it, who are they selling it to, and at what value?

Your local marketer should be able to advise you of what value to expect.

3. Select pick. If the smaller sizes are not going to represent a worthwhile return then leave them on the tree where they will attract less additional cost, while still offering a harvest option if the markets allow at a later date.

4. Support the processing options the industry has. The greater the diversity of avocado products on offer, the greater the profile of the fruit itself.

The avocado is already being hailed as a fashionable and healthy culinary option Looking to the coming season, I would like to think that collectively and cooperatively we can continue the progress the industry has made on the local market front in the last two years.

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I Organic growers’ comment I

Organic growers encoura I have recently been elected to the position of chairman of NZ Organic Avocado Growers Inc. which has been led by Mike Crum for the last few years. For my first contribution to Avoscene I thought I would go back to the basics: what is organics and what does our organisation do?

The information below is based on that put together by Matt Leamy for the industry website and it’s been on there for a few years now, but rather than just refer you to a number of links I want to bring it to your attention and start to create some dialogue between organic avocado growers and the industry.

History of NZOAGI The longest standing certified organic producer in New Zealand is an avocado grower with the Bio Gro registration number ten. The orchard was certified in 1983 - the year that Bio Gro was established.

In the two decades that followed, a small but steady community of growers developed, many of them working independently from other organic growers and all with a strong focus on the local market.

A number of growers became their own marketer, developing their own clientele. There was export fruit being shipped from as early as 1981. There was some fruit going to the supermarkets but mostly the supply was to organic shops, direct supply and small retailers.

Prior to the first meetings of the Organic Avocado Growers Group in 1998, growers tended to work out their own programmes, with management practices being quite different from orchard to orchard. Some had very successful seasons at times and some others had variable results.

Not much information was shared and new entrants to the sector had no real support. The growers group was set up to change all that.

In 2007, the informal Organic Avocado Growers Group became an incorporated society, and was 12

By Martin Munro Chairman, NZ Organic Avocado Growers Inc martin.jane.munro@gmail.com

aged to work together renamed to NZ Organic Avocado Growers Incorporated. A funding application to the national organics organisation Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) was successful. This funding ran through to June 2009 and was used to establish the organisation and run a number of projects with the aim of supporting interested growers and improving the level of information available.

In November 2006 NZOAGI had 30 members, with 24 having some level of certified status. As of March 2009 there were 69 members, with 37 having some level of certified status. The numbers have slipped in recent years to approximately 30 but I, along with my executive, am hoping to re-enthuse some latent organic avocado growers back into the game.

The following is an extract from the constitution of NZOAGI. NZOAGI Objectives: • to promote the growing of organic avocados • to encourage and support more growers to grow avocados organically • to educate and inform • to advocate on behalf of growers with an interest in organic avocado production • to facilitate communication between all parties with an interest in organic avocado production or marketing • to encourage and promote research into organic avocado production What is organics?

Organics is often thought of as not doing certain things, not applying toxic pesticides and not putting on synthetic fertilisers. Indeed it is these, but to do it well it is much more. It means having an appreciation for the role that soil microbes play in context with the trees. The bacteria, fungi,

protozoa, nematodes, arthropods and not forgetting the worms, are all part of the complex food web that digests raw material and releases nutrients right where the trees can access them.

Balancing the soil chemistry is step one. The organic grower then needs to pay attention to nurturing the hidden herd of helpers who deliver nutrients to the trees, who predate on soil borne pathogens and who bind carbon into complex organic compounds that are the soil humus.

The soil could be thought of as the stomach of the plant; we feed the soil and the soil feeds the trees.

All of this can of course be done without being certified organic. Making the decision to become certified is about getting recognition for the principles behind the growing system. There are consumers who value the contribution organics makes in environmental management and who want a guarantee of no chemical residue on their food.

Consumers of organic products are able to have confidence and trust in the source of their food.

There is much diversity in organic management practices. Many of these have been developed by growers from their understanding of biological principles. Some of these practices have a foundation in work done by scientists or organic practitioners in other industries and some of these practices are based on the grower’s experience.

As such, there are few studies of the efficacy of organic production systems for avocados in New Zealand. This does not mean they don’t work; it does mean much of the research has yet to be done to establish how well they work.

Yet enough progress has been made in recent years to give avocado growers the

confidence to continue working and developing organic practices.

A Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) Project was run by the Soil and Health Association in 2003 which saw growers get together and discuss management practices and develop a resource guide – Organic Avocado which can be downloaded from http://www. biodynamic.org.nz/guides/AVORESG_ LR.PDF. With the knowledge and information from the SFF project and the occurrence of seminars by international speakers (including Dr Elaine Ingham and Dr Arden Anderson who have spoken on organics in New Zealand since 2001), alongside developments from product suppliers and advances in orchard management, confidence is growing that organic systems can deliver.

The future for grower of organic avocados Organic fruit has been exported consistently since 2000. Export has been well established and the signals from international markets are for a strong demand for certified organic products.

However, organic volumes are low in comparison to the total industry production and indeed organic avocado growers are few and far between, so I urge us to work together in order to create value for our niche section of the industry.

I will be attending the Nutritional Values conference in September and would like to connect with organic avocado growers at this event.

For growers interested in planting for organic avocado production or joining NZOAGI, I can be contacted by email martin.jane.munro@gmail.com or phone 07 5480 329.

For those in Northland, please email Mike Crum mpcjcrum@xtra.co.nz 13

Regional R AT LARGE

By John Cotterell

Crop estimation Most growers I have talked to are saying they have more crop than their first estimates indicated. It is critical that we as growers do everything we possibly can to assist our packers and exports to get our crop estimates as accurate as possible - you know your orchard best. Is it heavier or lighter than previous crops? You should have a good gut feeling as to where it’s at; work it through with your packhouse rep. to get it right. If you are reasonably new to avocado growing there is information in your growers’ manual and on the industry website www.nzavocado.co.nz/industry > Orchard Mngt > Crop Estimation.

Exporters have got their export season results out now which are much better than the early predictions for the season; also on the website are OGR templates for growers to use.

Industry interaction There has been a lot of industry activity happening lately, as my calendar can attest. Since my last Avoscene contribution I have been to two Board meetings, two end of season road shows, two NZ Avocado field days, one Quality Standards meeting, one Katikati growers’ meeting and an Environmental Protection Agency meeting in Auckland, along with Henry Pak.

Implications of weather What seemed to be the endless summer came to an end mid-April. From Christmas until April 14 we had less than 100mm of rain. The following ten days we had 341mm and one night we got 160mm during the night, which caused localised flooding, most of which disappeared quickly. Growers with irrigation will most likely see a return on their investment in fruit size and I will be watching with a keen eye as to how these irrigated trees perform when they flower next spring.

New season fruit There is a massive range in fruit size for the coming season; size picking may come into play for some growers. I have seen size 20 count fruit in some orchards already. The early season fruit for the New Zealand market needs to meet 23% dry matter before it is picked. Supermarkets will only take fruit that has been independently tested to meet this standard, so just because you see new season fruit on the shelves this does not mean you can pick your fruit; it needs to be independently tested first. Remember the customer that buys immature fruit is very unlikely to be rushing back to buy more avocados any time soon. The control is in your hands – we need to all be looking at the big picture!

14

Roundups FAR NORTH

By Ian Broadhurst

Over our summer and autumn we have experienced prolonged periods of little or no rain, with the region being declared in a drought.

With most orchards in the Far North having irrigation, the effect has been minimal apart from power bills to run pumps. Rain during the past three weeks before writing this has finally brought some relief with timely falls, although our extended summer still continues with excellent temperatures, allowing many trees, especially young ones, to continue to flush.

The trees have come through the summer well, with excellent flush and low phytophthora pressure; leaf is generally in excellent health and trees will head into winter in good condition. Fruit size overall is a vast improvement on last year. The flush over spring and summer has given the trees plenty of opportunity to set flower for the next season, with trees now obviously setting up for flowering with bud formation.

Most growers have now completed their annual phytophthora treatment, with some trialling other methods of control including the new stem cap treatment. Phytophthora would be our single biggest orchard health issue in the north, along with mites, so treatment and management are critical.

The use of phosphonate testing of roots

AT LARGE

News and views from your regional NZAGA Grower Representatives

will provide good information on deciding on treatment options, timing and delivery.

A real concern that we have is while we have had a dry summer the law of averages generally meand we will still have our annual rainfall but in a more compressed period, water-logged soils are perfect conditions for phytophthora, so treatment at this time is very important.

May is the time to collect leaf and soil samples. The results of these samples give a good indication of the nutrient status of the tree, allowing for the preparation of nutrition programmes for the next 12 months. When formulating the fertiliser programme it’s important to remember that winter leaves can be very effective and we still have plenty of opportunity to build carbohydrate levels over the next five months prior to flowering.

I recall an early AIC research paper from four years ago indicating how effective winter leaves are and we have plenty of opportunity to build carbohydrate levels over the winter period. This can be an excellent time to ensure our trees are well set up for flowering, as the cooler temperatures reduce the trees desire to push vegetative growth but to store reserves as part of the fruit setting process and subsequent spring flush.

Also worth noting at this time of the year is the effect of heavy winter rains which can leach away recently applied fertilisers,

especially in the soils of the Far North which are predominantly sandy. Good practice would be apply top-up applications in small amounts after heavy down-pours.

During April, Far North growers hosted John, Jen and Alistair as part of the end of season road shows. The effort that our chairman, CEO and AVEC chairman put into these occasions is much appreciated and gives growers plenty of opportunity to discuss industry issues and give direction.

Highlights from the meeting include the importance of crop estimation, which is critical in terms of flowing crop and maximizing grower returns, while early immature fruit on the local market generated some very robust discussion.

The consensus of the meeting was immature fruit in the market has no place; it is responsibility of all those in the supply chain to ensure the customer has a good buying experience.

Thank you to all those that participated in the EMS and Quality Standards reviews; your input is critical to ensure a balanced approach on these issues.

Finally, on behalf of all growers in the Far North I would like to thank John Schnackenberg for his leadership and effort during his time as chairman of our industry body and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.

By John Schnackenberg

An interesting change in focus for me over the next period as I step back from chairmanship and become reacquainted with my orchard and find more time for overthe-fence conversation with fellow growers. Of recent interest has been the question “Is irrigation the missing link?” to consistent production.

We can’t answer that question definitively, but a number of growers are considering their options regarding irrigation, particularly fertigation benefits; even considering providing on orchard storage for town supply water for fertigation at least.

Is there enough water supply in Katikati and would council support substantially increased draw on public supplies? I am

fortunate to have on-orchard water via a bore and have irrigated consistently since early January. It will be interesting to see a size profile comparison with non-irrigated, similar age and production orchards at the season end to assess the possible value added.

A bore and reticulation is probably a prohibitive investment for a typical BOP sub 4 ha orchard but storing/utilising town supply may be worth considering?

My last formal activities as chairman has been the recent round of end of season road shows (generally well attended with good discussion on various issues) and our AGA and AIC board meetings on May 2.

Crop estimation is a key drum being beaten and it behoves us as growers to take real and personal responsibility in assisting our packers to get it right. Exporter presentations

at the road shows tell us that the key crop estimate is that for late June from which commitments to markets are made.

Please make the time to walk your orchards May/June and sharpen up your personal estimates.

The general comment around the first early bird crop estimate has been to wait for the first fruit drop following anticipated heavy rains. We got them in the BOP – 320mls Monday April 15 to Sunday April 21. Yes, despite constant irrigation, a modest fruit drop has occurred although I suspect much is due to some strong winds Saturday April 20 which recorded 192ml in 24 hours to 9am Sunday! Surprisingly our orchards seem in pretty good shape notwithstanding the summer dry. Here’s to a great 2013-14 harvest and strong markets.

15

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Gypsum can decrease and prevent the crust formation on soil surfaces which result from raindrops or from sprinkler irrigation on unstable soil. It can prevent crusting that results when acid soils are lime & the gypsum is coapplied with the lime.

Gypsum Improves Low-Solute Irrigation Water Gypsum is used to increase the solute concentration of low-solute water used for irrigation. Irrigation water from rivers that no longer have sources of leachable salts either penetrates poorly into soil or causes soil particles to degrade which results in low water penetration. The problem can be corrected with surface applied gypsum or application to the irrigation water.

Gypsum Suppresses Soil Borne Disease Gypsum applications aid in the prevention of soil borne diseases often present in anerobic soil conditions.

Gypsum Improves Swelling Clays Gypsum improves Soil Structure Gypsum provides calcium which is needed to flocculate clays in acid and alkaline soil.

Gypsum Helps Reclaim Sodic Soils Where the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of sodic soils is too high, it must be decreased for soil improvement and better crop growth. The most economical way is to add gypsum which supplies calcium. The calcium replaces the sodium held on the clay-binding sites. The sodium can then be leached from the soil as sodium sulfate to an appropriate sink. Without Gypsum, the soil would not be leachable.

Gypsum Prevents Crusting of Soil & Aids Seed Emergence Gypsum can decrease and prevent the crust formation on soil surfaces which result from raindrops or from sprinkler irrigation on unstable soil. It can prevent crusting that results when acid soils are lime & the gypsum is coapplied with the lime.

Gypsum Improves Low-Solute Irrigation Water Gypsum is used to increase the solute concentration of low-solute water used for irrigation. Irrigation water from rivers that no longer have sources of leachable salts either penetrates poorly into soil or causes soil particles to degrade which results in low water penetration. The problem can be corrected with surface applied gypsum or application to the irrigation water.

Gypsum Suppresses Soil Borne Disease Gypsum applications aid in the prevention of soil borne diseases often present in anerobic soil conditions.

16

Gypsum Improves Swelling Clays

Gypsum can decrease the swelling and cracking associated with levels of exchangeable sodium on the montmorillonite-type clays. As sodium is replaced by calcium on these clays, they swell less and therefore do not easily clog the pore spaces through which air, water and roots move.

Gypsum can decrease the swelling and cracking associated with levels of exchangeable sodium on the montmorillonite-type clays. As sodium is replaced by calcium on these clays, they swell less and therefore do not easily clog the pore spaces through which air, water and roots move.

Gypsum Prevents Waterlogging of Soil Gypsum improves the ability of soil to drain and not become waterlogged due to a combination of high sodium, swelling clay and excess water.

Gypsum Improves Water-Use Efficiency Gypsum increases water-use efficiency of crops. In areas and times of drought, this is extremely important. Improved water infiltration rates, improved hydraulic conductivity of soil, better water storage in the soil all lead to deeper rooting and better water-use efficiency. From 25 to 100 percent more water is available in gypsum treated soils than in non-treated soils.

Gypsum as a Fertiliser Gypsum CaSO 4-2H 2 O is a pH neutral source of readily available calcium and sulphur.

Gypsum Multiplies the Value of Other Inputs Gypsum can improve the response to all other inputs including fertilizers.

New Zealand Avocado Highlights New Chairman announced Ashby Whitehead was elected by the Board to the role of NZAGA and AIC Chairman with effect 2 May 2013.

Ashby is a Te Puke grower and has been a NZAGA executive member for seven years. John Schnackenberg, stepped down from the role after five and half years, as part of a planned succession.

End of season roadshows NZ Avocado hosted the end of season roadshows at the end of April in Te Puke, Omokoroa, Far North and Whangarei.

These meetings provided an opportunity for representatives from AGA, AVEC and the local market to report on industry politics, give a business update and report on the performance of the export and New Zealand market. This is the second time we have asked AVEC and local market representatives to participate, a model that we intend continue going forward.

MBIE bid submitted NZ Avocado has jointly developed an R & D programme with Plant and Food Research, to support delivery of the industry vision. The programme focuses on solutions to irregular bearing and low yield, and includes activity led

by NZ Avocado and PFR. To leverage available funding, PFR have submitted four research bids into the Ministry for

Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), one with a pure avocado focus, and three others cross sector bids which include avocados The programme promotes much closer alignment between consultants, scientists and growers to maximise the innovation being trialled across the industry.

resources page select OGR Templates.

We hope all growers will feed back their views on the template, and we welcome suggestions for improvement.

Guidelines for the safe used of elevating work platforms produced A new guide booklet, Best Practice Guidelines: Safe Use of Elevating Work Platforms in the Horticultural Industry, has been developed by MBIE and is now available on the industry websitewww. nzavocado.co.nz/industry > Risk Mngt > Health & Safety Hugh Moore, Ashby Whitehead and Edwina Aitchison contributed to the development of this booklet, along with representatives from other industries.

Pruning trial: Third Autumn prune completed Glenys Parton, Bart Hofstee, contractors and growers completed the third year of Autumn pruning treatments in the pruning trial orchards. Pruning discussion groups were organised to coincide with this activity at some of the trial orchards.

OGR template released to the industry As a result of grower requests for a generic calculation of orchard gate return (and an EMS submission on the topic and subsequent requirement of the EMS), we undertook a process to develop an OGR template. Nici Kennerley, our business manager, managed this process, consulting with a cross-section of growers, packers and exporters. The end result is three OGR templates which are now uploaded to the industry website www.nzavocado.co.nz/industry (log in) > Resources > in dropdown menu on

Horticultural industry communicators meet Midge Munro attended a very constructiveforum on April 15, organised by Plant & Food Research, for communications and technology transfer staff from 16 horticulture industry organisations. Outcomes of the day were that a supportive network has been established where ideas can be shared about best practice for technology transfer, media liaison and industry communications. The group will meet six monthly.

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2012

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Inside this Issue

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Inside this issue • The Commo dity Levy for avocados • Strategy to improve qualityA • Roadmap to te on NZAG Upda exporte r contrac cts ts Proje Levy Research Commodity successful referendum

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17

MArKeting the Best AvocAdos in the world I Growers’ comment I

Immature f ruit es of f d a r g l ket al ax mar m h s tail e r •F ale, re s e l o h d w Zealan ogrammes r • New t por p o rt and ex R exp r y G O p to ust f the ss the ind o e n o • O w ts acr in ne payou ence i r e p s ex et mark lth of • Wea eveloping and d rodger BAYlY export Marketing P +64 7 985 6802 M +64 21 622 577 e rbayly@freshmax.co.nz Andrew douglAs export Manager P +64 9 573 8581 M +64 21 760 008 e adouglas@freshmax.co.nz dAve Alderton technical support M +64 21 505 814 e dalderton@freshmax.co.nz

KiM FrAser domestic Manager P +64 9 917 1485 M +64 21 629 816 e kfraser@freshmax.co.nz

www.freshmax.co.nz

18

In a season when fruit is likely to be in short supply, many in the industry are concerned some growers and marketers will be tempted to sell immature avocados to take advantage of higher prices early in the season.

It’s a practice which has occurred in the past but one most growers consider short-sighted and detrimental to the industry as a whole.

“Some growers seem to have the attitude that any avocado you can sell is a good avocado but if they are selling immature fruit, they are not doing the industry any good,” says David Wallace, a Whakatane grower.

The avocado industry has a way to go in educating the New Zealand public and retailers about how to identify a quality, mature piece of fruit, he says.

“All growers and everyone in the industry can help educate people about our fruit, from how to choose a good one in the supermarket or greengrocers to how to use it.”

David is not shy about doing just that. He has spoken to retailers selling immature fruit and explained to a confusedlooking supermarket customer the difference between Hass and Reed avocados.

“That kind of information should have been on display with the fruit to help educate the consumer.”

He’s also happy to give away fruit so people have a good eating experience and will go on to buy avocados on a regular basis. It’s all about taking pride in the industry and looking to its future, David says.

While the industry is doing a good job, especially in markets like Japan, it should not over-look the potential in the New Zealand market, where per capita consumption is still relatively low. While recent seasons have seen low volumes of fruit pushing up local market prices, David believes in future there is likely to be an over-supply.

Tauranga grower Trevor Seal echoes David’s concerns.

“Selling immature fruit is self-defeating in the long term and

By Elaine Fisher Journalist elaine@thesun.co.nz

ruit puts market at risk we need to support each other to protect the local market and not erode its value.”

The domestic market will always receive in the order of 30 to 40 per cent of the national crop and provides a vital part of the income for growers.

“The short term gains of selling immature fruit are not worth it,” Trevor says.

Several other growers, who wanted to remain anonymous, told Avoscene they were also concerned about some orchardists selling immature fruit and the harm that could do to the industry as a whole. Some said while they could understand the temptation to cash in on early season prices, their advice to those considering doing so was “don’t”.

NZ Avocado local market analyst Bevan Jelley says the predicted market conditions for the next few months are for a more limited supply of fruit than seen at this stage in recent seasons.

“This is expected to create high prices, and marketers have identified that this may increase the temptation for growers to harvest and sell their fruit before it has reached an acceptable level of maturity.”

NZ Avocado has industry standards for export fruit maturity, and best practice standards for the local market, he says.

These exist to ensure that optimum value is returned for the sale of avocados, and that the industry is able to continue to grow demand for New Zealand avocados.

“We are working with domestic marketers to ensure New Zealand supermarkets and fruit retailers are aware of the industry standards and the reasons behind them, which are to ensure the consumer has an enjoyable eating experience and feels confident to purchase

more avocados in future. It is important for everyone along the value chain that we get the new season off to a good start and that we don’t risk giving consumers bad avocado experiences before the heavier export driven volumes start to arrive later in the year.”

The maturity level required for export harvest is 24 per cent dry matter and this should also apply to local market fruit, unless the fruit is to be ethylene ripened, when 23 per cent dry matter is acceptable.

Glen Dunseath of Zeafruit says immature early season fruit on the local market is a concern to all stakeholders across the industry.

“If the fruit has not been maturity tested and passed minimum local market benchmarks by an independent agency, it has no right to be in the market.”

He is pleased that NZ Avocado is facilitating more collaboration between the local marketers who will meet regularly, something which has not happened before.

“This is an important initiative as it provides the opportunity for frank and open discussion and early season maturity levels were discussed at the first meeting.

“We all know when the market is receiving immature fruit, however it represents an easy commission sale to those not interested in the long term sustainability of the industry.”

Glen says supermarkets on the whole won’t take immature fruit but there are access points into the market that can be targeted.

“Selling immature fruit and giving consumers a bad experience is not good business for retailers either because in

retail you live by your customers coming back.”

Some orchards are genuinely early (tested and passed) and the domestic market can offer good returns. That is why those growers make the decision to take fruit early, but only with consideration to what fruit will come after that to back it up, so there are no gaps in supply.

The New Zealand domestic market has significant potential to grow, with current consumption at around 1.8kg per person per year compared with 5-6kg in other countries.

“We need to be smarter in the New Zealand market. If we continue to do what we’ve always done we won’t get anywhere in growing local demand,” Glen says.

Trevelyan’s avocado manager Daniel Birnie says growers are concerned about the impacts of immature fruit on the domestic market early in the season.

This is especially true for those who have legitimate early fruit available which has passed maturity tests, as immature fruit on the market at the same time can cause the price to drop.

“We have a handful of growers on offshore islands and coastal areas whose fruit is ready early in the season and that offers them an opportunity to earn prices as good if not better than export.

“My advice to growers considering picking fruit which isn’t ready is don’t do it. Growers who work with an export packhouse facility can have dry matter tests done in-house, which at some packhouses is provided at no charge, and then if their fruit is ready, they can have an independent test done and sell fruit on the local market.”

19

I Avocentric I

By Elaine Fisher Journalist elaine@thesun.co.nz

Acid painting restores orchard health

Please refer to product label for recommended use patterns

A run down, neglected and overgrown piece of land with a house in poor state of repair isn’t the kind of rural property many couples would buy, but 12 years ago Heather and Greg Bayliss did just that.

“We got it cheap and cleaned it up and then asked around for what would be good to grow,” says Greg of the four hectare property at Pukekawa, South Auckland.

Despite the fact there were no other avocado orchards in the immediate vicinity, he took advice that the trees could be a good crop and planted 350 on 2ha at 7.7 x 7.5 spacings.

“They all nearly died because of phytophthora in the clay soil. Because they weren’t big enough to inject, we painted them with phosphorous acid and just got them through.”

Once the trees were bigger, Greg began using injections for disease control but it didn’t work. The trees were in decline and he considered cutting them all out. In a last attempt to save the orchard, Greg went back to trunk painting.

“I used one third acid and two thirds water and Pulse at the label rates and sloshed it on with a four inch brush as far up the trunk and limbs as I could reach.

You don’t have to be too fussy.

“It turned the orchard around. In the first year we did a root test for phosphorous acid and found we had 40 20

parts per million when we had to get to 25 so decided it was working and carried on.

“I did try spraying it on but it just ran off. Painting is a whole lot better and I did all 350 trees in a weekend and the job was done. It took a lot longer than that with the injections.”

The most recent application of phosphorous acid saw 50 litres applied but the trees are bigger now. Greg says there has been only a few leaves showing signs of acid burn and the trees are obviously absorbing the acid through their trunks.

From an orchard in sharp decline Heather and Greg now have one which is healthy and productive. In 2013 the yield was 13 tonnes/ha and this season he’s hoping for 10 tonnes/ha.

The soils are not heavy clay but they hold water, so the orchard was humped and hollowed to assist with drainage.

At 130m above sea level, the orchard is exposed to winds and has been divided into eight sheltered blocks.

“It probably was a bit of over-kill but as the orchard become more established I’ll probably cut some of it out and plant more trees.”

The trees haven’t been allowed to get too high and pruning aims to keep them as close as possible to original spacing, letting plenty of light into the canopy and onto the ground.

“They get a pretty hefty prune each year. I’m reluctant to cut off fruit but I leave some fruiting arms branching straight out and if they don’t produce, they get cut off. I don’t flower prune.”

Two years ago Greg bought a Heat

Dragon and frost fans and he sprays Stress-EX before frost events, all of which he thinks has made a big difference.

The clay soils are high in potassium, so Greg is careful about how much he applies.

“I apply compost in winter to keep the trees going and only use urea that is mixed with humic acid or humates because I’m mindful of making nitrate available to the trees. The biggest use of energy for the trees is to convert nitrate to protein. By mixing urea with humates the plant can easily use it, so it’s a low energy reaction, whereas applying straight nitrate requires four stages for the plant to go through to produce protein.”

Greg has a degree in Horticultural Science and has worked at Unilever’s Plantations and Plant Science Group, Cambridge, UK on oil palm which was the raw material for soap and margarine. He also worked on the company plantation in Thailand and tea plantations in Kenya.

When Greg returned to New Zealand he worked for the Woolworths supermarket chain. Venturing into avocado orcharding hasn’t to date been very lucrative and Greg has another job, helping John Anderson managed 74ha of green kiwifruit in South Auckland and Te Puke.

However, he has no regrets about taking on a rundown property and turning it into what promises to be a sustainable avocado orchard.

“If I’d known then what I know now I might not have done it, but I grew up on a farm and somehow you always get drawn back to the land.”

By Elaine Fisher Journalist elaine@thesun.co.nz

I Market Focus I

South Korea not an easy market South Korea is a market of both opportunity and obstacles for New Zealand avocado exporters.

With a population of nearly 50 million, low unemployment and a growing middle class with a genuine concern for their health and wellbeing, the market has much to offer.

On the negative side, tariffs of 30 per cent, strict phytosanitary requirements for fresh produce, and lack of understanding by importers, retailers and the public about how to handle and use avocado make it a tough market in which to do business.

Martin Napper, representing Avanza, says most of the current avocado consumption is within the Seoul Capital Area, where 50 per cent of the country’s population of 25.6 million is centred, and historically most fruit has been sold in wet markets.

“Some avocados are sold through supermarkets where it is sold in two-piece pre-packs. Distributors are reluctant to ripen fruit in-market as colour on fruit is not understood. Supermarkets request green fruit and if it begins to colour, they sell it at discount price. Therefore the experience for many consumers may not be good.

“The only consumers who appear to know much about avocados are ex-pats returning home from overseas where they

have become familiar with the fruit and know how to ripen and use it. Those who don’t know the avocado probably won’t buy it because it is expensive at $5 to $6 a piece.”

Martin says the maximum volume the total market can take at the moment is rather small, perhaps a few thousand trays per week.

Steve Trickett of Avanza agrees that putting much more into the market per week is a push but with education and investment this will grow.

“After Japan, Korea and Singapore are priority markets for Avanza,” says Steve.

The market is at a similar stage to Japan 15 years ago, when the fruit was largely unknown and volumes imported were small. Importers and retailers didn’t understand how to ripen and handle it.

“Avanza has sent its technical team to Japan to teach the correct ripening methods and the results have been excellent with minimal claims for fruit loss. Other international competitors have also focused heavily on the ripe fruit message and as a consequence in the last couple of years the development of purpose-built ripening facilities has been substantial.

“Consumers are enjoying ready-to eat fruit more regularly and the 10 million trays which went into the Japanese market last season, including large volumes from Mexico, mark a milestone for avocado imports into Japan.”

It is important to find a way to incorporate avocado into the Korean

cuisine as the fruit is largely unknown. A trial selling ready-to-eat fruit through a TV network which promoted recipes was successful, says Martin.

“Most Korean food is cooked but in summer salads, sushi and fruit smoothies are popular. Korean women in particular have a strong focus on weight, beauty and health. As in other Asian markets, we are promoting avocado as good for the inside and the outside, good for nutrition, good for your skin and also as a good first food for babies.

“The Korean market is one with potential but will take time to develop.

Having said that, it may only take a simple trigger to quickly heighten consumption,” says Martin.

“We see a lot of potential in these markets so will work on education for trade and retail,” says Steve.

Andrew Douglas of Freshmax says the 30 per cent tariffs imposed on New Zealand avocados imported into South Korea are an extended challenge to developing the market.

“We have not sold a lot of avocados into South Korea in the last couple of years. The tariffs are something of a road block and it is a market in which we need to balance the achievable returns with bringing new growth markets into play for New Zealand avocados. South Korea also likes very specific sizes.

“For Freshmax, It is a market which is still on our radar, as we sell a lot of other fresh products into South East Asia so have considerable experience in the region.

Miracle on the Han River The Republic of Korea is a small country on the far eastern edge of Asia. Although it ranks 109th in the world in terms of land area, the country is a centre of economic activity, culture, and arts.

Korea was colonised by Japan in the early 20th century and later endured the Korean War (1950-53), but has achieved amazing economic growth in a short period, dubbed ‘the Miracle on the Han River’.

Today, Korea is an industrial nation of importance on the world stage. Its semiconductor, automobile, shipbuilding, steel making, and IT industries are on the leading edge in global markets. It hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup. More recently, Korean dramas, movies, and music are attracting many audiences in Asian countries and beyond, creating what is being called the ‘Korean Wave’. Korea’s new standing in the

international community was highlighted in 2010 with the nation becoming the first Asian country to chair the G20 and host the G20 Seoul Summit.

Its population is 50 million and 25.6 million people live in the Seoul Capital Area which is ranked as the second largest metropolitan area in the world behind Tokyo. It forms the cultural, commercial, financial, industrial, and residential center of South Korea.

The average income in 2010 was US$20,759 and South Korea’s Gross Domestic Product that same year was US$ 1,014 billion.

South Korea is a relatively young country in terms of population, with the median age 38 years. Unemployment in March 2013 was 3.5 per cent, down 0.2 per cent year-on-year and the economically active population is in excess of 25 million.

Life expectancy is good with males expected to live to 77 years and females 83.8 years.

21

New chairman announced

Te Puke orchardist and NZAGA grower rep of seven years, Ashby Whitehead, is the new chairman of NZAGA and Avocado Industry Council Ltd. “I am excited about the excellent opportunities available for avocados from New Zealand but also very aware of the challenges we face as an industry. I look forward to leading the industry through this phase of change and improvement, with the development of new markets in Asia, building the nutritional platform for avocados and strengthening the avocado category in the New Zealand market,” says Ashby.

Ashby replaces John Schnackenberg who stepped down as chairman in May as part of planned succession. John served as chairman since 2007 and will continue as a grower representative on the NZAGA 22

Executive and AIC Ltd Board.

Ashby has been one of the eight grower-elected directors on AIC’s tenmember board since 2006.

He has been a successful avocado grower since 1996. With wife Linda he purchased a run-down apple orchard in Te Puke in 1991, converting to avocados after much tidying up and rehabilitation of the land. In 2000 they acquired the neighboring orchard and planted a further 0.75ha of avocados and 3.5ha of kiwifruit.

Ashby has had a long career in engineering, something which he has recently come back to following the effects of Psa-V. He is very active in the Te Puke avocado and kiwifruit communities and also sits on the AIC Finance committee, the Recognised Product Group, Quality Standards Committee and Local Market Committee “I look forward to addressing the joint New Zealand and Australian avocado growers’ conference in September in

Tauranga in my new role as Chairman.

It will be an excellent opportunity to connect with New Zealand and international avocado growers.”

Ashby takes the chairmanship at a time when there is major activity on the horizon for NZ Avocado.

“We are currently working on a business case for a Primary Growth Partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries and also work closely with Plant & Food Research to submit a bid for avocado research funding from the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment,” says Ashby.

“The crown investment will allow us to significantly accelerate our projects and implement solutions to create a far more profitable and sustainable industry.”

Outgoing chairman John Schnackenberg said Ashby brings a strong grower focus to the chairmanship.

NZAGA Grower Representative Tony Ponder has been elected as the new Vice Chair of the NZAGA. Tony has served on the Board since 2005.

Industry News Registrations open for Nutritional Values conference The 5th Quadrennial New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers Conference is on 9-12 September 2013 at the ASB Arena, Baypark, Tauranga.

Featuring keynote speakers Dr Russell Ballard, Chair of PMAC; Nadia Lim, celebrity MasterChef & nutritionist; and Stephen Toplis, BNZ economist plus representatives from the Hass Avocado Board in the USA, the Californian Avocado Commission and top technical experts from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Register at www.avocadoconference.co.nz There are special rates for members of NZAGA and AIC and Avocados Australia plus early bird rates for those that register before 30 June 2013.

Accommodation in Tauranga can be booked when registering online.

Held only every eight years in New Zealand, this is the industry event not to be missed.

Nominations for NZAGA Executive Committee At the upcoming 2013 NZAGA Annual General Meeting, the term of office will be complete for four of the current NZAGA Grower Representatives.

Listed below are the regions and regional representatives who have completed their term of office – these regions will have a vacancy thus creating the need to elect a representative.

Please see the table on page 25 for details on the terms of office for current NZAGA Grower Representatives

Conference schedule Date

Time

Activity

Monday 9 September

5:30pm - 7:30pm

AVOCOTM Welcome Reception and registration at ASB Baypark Arena and industry exhibition opens

Tuesday 10 September

8:00am

Registration, speaker support centre opens

9:00am - 4:00pm 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Sessions and industry exhibition NZAGA Annual General Meeting Australian avocado growers’ Meeting

Wednesday 11 September 8.00am 9.00am - 4.20pm 4.20pm 7:30pm - 12:00am

Thursday 12 September

Registration, speaker support centre opens Sessions and industry exhibition Conference Close FreshmaxTM conference gala dinner at ASB Baypark Arena

10:00am – 4:00pm Field trip around the Bay of Plenty

Far North: 1 seat vacant and requiring representation Ian Broadhurst: completed 2 of 3 years – standing down Mid North: 1 seat vacant and requiring representation Mike Eagles: resigned 23 April 2013 Note: the nominee elected in the Mid North in 2013 will take office for a 1 year term, following which they may stand to be re-elected in 2014 for 3 years to maintain the rotation set up

in the NZAGA Rules 2010 (see www. nzavocado.co.nz/industry > About - AGA Rules Updated June 2010.pdf ).

At Large: 1 seat vacant and requiring representation Roger Barber: term complete – available for re-election Rest of NZ: 1 seat vacant and requiring representation David French: term complete – available for re-election Continued over page 23

Industry News If only one representative is nominated for a position, they will be automatically elected on to the Executive Committee.

If there is more than one nomination for any of the positions there will be a postal ballot in July.

The Executive Committee is announced as soon as the results are known but does not take office until the close of the 2013 AGM. The nomination criteria are as follows: 1. The nominee must be a member of the AGA by being a holder of a PPIN in the region nominated to represent.

2. Each nomination must be on an official form found at www.nzavocado. co.nz/industry > About > Board > NZAGA Executive Elections. Each nomination requires a nominator who must be a member of the AGA. 3. A candidate can stand for a region or At Large or both Regional and At Large (a separate form would then need to be completed for each). If a nominee is elected for both a region and At Large then the regional takes precedence in accordance with NZAGA Rule 5.8 5.8 A candidate may seek election both as a regional Representative and as a Representative at large, but in the event of being successful in both elections shall be deemed to be elected as a regional Representative only and the consequential vacancy in the members elected at large shall forthwith be filled by the Executive by appointing the next highest polling candidate in that election.

4. Those members interested in becoming a candidate should contact Edwina Aitchison at NZ Avocado for information on the roles and responsibilities of an Executive representative/Director.

5. Once a nominated candidate is confirmed as a representative to the AGA Executive Committee, the

24

candidate is required to complete a confidentiality agreement and become familiar with their roles and responsibilities.

6. On appointment to the executive committee the candidate accepts that they will be appointed a Director of Avocado Industry Council Limited (“AIC”), the 100% owned operating subsidiary of the AGA and bound by the obligations of Director as set out in the Companies Act. 7. Each nomination form must include a short biography on a Microsoft Word document, not exceeding 300 words.

8. In accordance with Section 189 (1) (c) of the Companies Act AIC Ltd has established an interests register. Each nominee must complete a declaration of interests which incorporate: i. Businesses they are involved in with which the AGA or AIC is dealing with. ii. Transactions involving the AGA or AIC. iii. Businesses or transactions which may impact on the AGA or AIC in some way.

9. Each nomination form must be signed by the candidate and received by NZ Avocado by Friday 5 July 2013 Post nominations to: NZ Avocado Growers’ Association Inc. PO Box 13267 Tauranga 3141 Attention: Returning Officer Or fax to: 07 571 6145 Or scan and email to: edwina@nzavocado.co.nz Call for Remits Remits must be submitted by an AGA member and require a signed mover and seconder, who must also be members of the AGA. If there is an issue that is regional it would be preferred if this was developed through your regional

Continued

executive committee representative to avoid duplication.

No remit can be transacted at the AGM other than those that have been circulated to the members in advance.

So that remits can be circulated to members they must be received by NZ Avocado by Friday 26 July 2013.

A form will be supplied via Avoconnect on 4 June and will also be available for downloading off the industry website: www.nzavocado. co.nz/industry > News & Events > Article: Call for remits Please use one form per remit. On this form there is only space for one remit.

If you want to make another remit this will need to be on a new remit form. Please keep your remits brief – if they require further explanation or supporting information please provide this on a separate sheet.

Ensure both the mover and the seconder include their PPIN and sign the bottom of any extra sheets and attach it to the remit form.

If you have questions regarding remits, please contact your local executive committee representative as listed in the contents page of the Avoscene or contact Edwina at NZ Avocado on 07 571 6147 or edwina@nzavocado.co.nz Export Registration 2013-14 Export registration is completed online at https://secure.nzavocado.co.nz/ Those growers who are unable to register online can seek assistance through their packhouse/exporter or can request a paper form to fill in from NZ Avocado which will attract an additional $20 administration fee.

NZAGA AGM To be held 10 September, 4:00pm6:00pm at the ASB Arena, Baypark, Tauranga during the Joint NZ & AU Avocado Growers’ Conference. All NZAGA members welcome.

NZAGA Grower Representative terms of office Director

July 2011

July 2012

July 2013

Far North

Ian Broadhurst

Term complete – reelected for 3 yrs on ballot

Completed 1 yr

Completed 2 yrs and standing down

Mid North

Mike Eagles

Term complete reelected for 3 yrs on ballot

Completed 1 yr

Completed 2 yrs resigned 23 April 2013

BOP

Ashby Whitehead (C)

Completed 1 yr (2 yrs – decided by lot)

Term complete – reelected for 3 yrs

Completed 1 yr

At Large

Roger Barber

Completed 1 yr (3 yrs – decided by lot)

Completed 2 yrs

Term complete

At Large

John Schnackenberg

Term complete reelected for 3 yrs on ballot

Completed 1 yr

Completed 2 yrs

At Large

Tony Ponder (VC)

Term complete reelected for 3 yrs on ballot

Completed 1 yr

Completed 2 yrs

At Large

John Cotterell

New Rep (completing K Crockers tenure – complete in 2012)

Term complete – reelected for 3 yrs

Completed 1 yr

Rest of NZ

David French

Completed 1 yr (3 yrs – decided by lot)

Completed 2 yrs

Term complete

Call for Remits INFO TO COME

Export Registration 2012-13 Export registration is completed online at https://secure.nzavocado.co.nz/ The facility to register for the upcoming season will be available from 20 May 2013 with grower export registration due 30 June 2013 for the earlybird price. Those growers who are unable to register online can either seek assistance through their packhouse/exporter or can request a paper form to fill in from NZ Avocado which will attract an additional $20 administration fee.

NZAGA AGM To be held 10 September, 3:40pm-5:40pm at the ASB Arena, Baypark, Tauranga during the Joint NZ & AU Avocado Growers’ Conference. All NZAGA members welcome.

25

Avocado News from Colombian project to send 100 containers of Hass avocados to Europe The Government of Antioquia in Colombia has developed, through its Ministry of Agriculture, a project that seeks to place 100 containers (600 tons) of Hass avocado on the European market, allowing it to consolidate the department’s export process.

To date, the first 10 containers of product have been sent to Holland. It is worth noting that Colombia has 18,774 hectares which represent a 200,000 ton production (6% of world production).

5,500 hectares are for growing the Hass variety, of which half are cultivated in the department of Antioquia because of its adaptability and agro-exporting potential.

This variety represents 60% of the areas sown in the department, followed by Antilleans Creole avocados with 23% of the area and cold climate grafts with 17% of the cultivated area.

Apart from this experience, many others will be socialized in the next Colombian Avocado Technical Tour 2013, an event co-organized by Tecnogiras and Expoagrofuturo, in direct collaboration with the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (Corpoinca). The event will be held from May 20 to May 26 in Medellin (Antioquia’s capital) and the assistants will get to know the production, exporting and alternative business processes being developed, as well as form part of business conferences and see presentations of investment projects.

The event is aimed at entrepreneurs, professionals, technicians and investors who are interested in entering or expanding their horizons in the world of avocado.

Source: http://www.freshplaza.com/news_ detail.asp?id=108490#SlideFrame_1 26

Avocados from Mexico maintain momentum through Cinco De Mayo & into summer with robust volume Los Angeles, CA – Building on the momentum of its strong spring campaign launch, Avocados from Mexico has increased projected volume estimates for Cinco de Mayo and into early summer to support growing market demand. According to industry data, total avocado consumption in the U.S. reached a record 1.5 billion pounds in 2012 and is expected to further increase in 2013. The projected volume increase of 12% from Avocados from Mexico for the April – June 2013 time period will enable retailers and foodservice operators to continue to actively promote the fruit and drive growth.

“Avocados from Mexico has been fuelling strong, steady demand with promotable volumes of quality fruit and powerful marketing initiatives,” said Eduardo Serena, APEAM marketing director. “As the category leader, we are committed to providing the market with consistent, reliable volume to grow on.”

The Avocados from Mexico marketing programs are continuing to drive demand and increase purchase frequency through a robust advertising campaign that resumed April 22nd and continues through Cinco de Mayo.

The spring campaign kicked off with a Breakfast initiative that generated record levels of consumer engagement with online and mobile advertising and over 65,000 sweepstakes entries, the highest number received by the brand to date.

Avocados from Mexico is now gearing up for the popular Cinco de Mayo holiday, the second largest consumption day of the year for avocados.

Spicing Things Up for Cinco de Mayo Thousands of stores are expected to feature secondary displays, POS materials and promotional offers for Avocados from Mexico in support of Cinco de Mayo.

Special emphasis is being placed on the Hispanic Market with a retail program featuring the highly popular Chef Pepin in merchandising materials and in-store giveaways. The program is also supported by radio DJ endorsements in key markets and live radio remotes at select retail locations.

Make BBQs Better with Chef Rick Bayless and Avocados from Mexico Support will remain strong through the summer with a special partnership starting in June with acclaimed Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless. The “Make BBQ Better” promotion will include signature grilling recipes from Chef Bayless, advertising on his popular television program, “Mexico: One Plate at a Time,” POS support, a national consumer sweepstakes with themed prizes, extensive media outreach and social media engagement. Retailers can expect more updates on this exciting program soon.

Source: http://www.perishablenews.com/ index.php?article=0028761 AU: Avocado growers must work together Overall things are looking good for the Australian avocado industry at the moment, though there are a few challenges to be overcome.

Jennie Franceschi, Managing Director of the Avocado Export Company, says that Western Australian is in an “off season”, the bi-annual part of the cycle that sees less fruit produced, but the East Coast should, theoretically produce a good crop.

However, she points out also that recent

the world bad weather means the situation needs to be re-evaluated. General Manager of Sunfresh Marketing Co-op, Judy Prosser, agrees.

“Volumes out of North Queensland have been up on last year and there has been controlled picking to ensure there was no glut on the market floors. The crop out of Bundaberg has been down from what was forecast because of the flooding and cyclonic conditions at the end of January. The Hass season on the Eastern seaboard is looking lighter than last year, the rain having had a dramatic quantity effect on quantity to be harvested this season.”

Both Jennie and Judy say that exports are going well right now. Judy says that the export markets were initially slow to take up the Shepard variety, due to Western Australian Hass being in the market longer than expected. However, now this has been cleared Shepard is doing well, as Jennie says: “Booming!

Moving lots of fruit...surprised at the volume actually. So - looking good!”

“There is a little competition (in export markets),” Jennie says, “with USA and Spanish Hass for one, but once we are into good volumes and quality I think we will be fine.”

Judy is also confident that Australian avocados can cope with the competition.

“Australian produce always commands repeat sales because of quality.”

The domestic market is also performing well, seeing a rise on previous year’s showing the benefits of considerable industrial investment over the years.

Also, with the Western Australian Hass season being extended, consumers have been able to get Australian product right the way through to the Shepard season starting.

With markets, both home and overseas performing well, the only worry, especially with the after effects of the

weather to contend with and New Zealand also being in an “ off season,” is that there may not be enough Hass around this year to meet demand.

Judy says however, that the industry can deal with this by pulling together.

“Growers must continue to work together to manage a good flow onto market floors and into chain stores.”

Source http://www.freshplaza.com/news_ detail.asp?id=108427#SlideFrame_1 Chile’s avocado industry worried about virus from Peru “The problem isn’t the Peruvian avocado. Sunblotch is the problem,” says Adolfo Ochagavía, Chairman of the Committee of Hass avocados from Chile, regarding the draft protocol for the entry of Peruvian Hass avocado into the country.

Ochagavía said that what worried the industry is the possible entry of this virus, one that isn’t present in Chile, and that has not been considered by the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) within the phytosanitary control measures to import the fruit.

“I would say that we are one of the few countries that aren’t affected by the sunblotch. Other countries that don’t have it include New Zealand and some parts of Australia.”

Ochagavia explained that they are in talks with the SAG to give them more background information about this virus so that they will include it within the Protocol.

“That’s the main issue. The sunblotch can be dispersed in our industry and cause significant damage. An infected tree has a 30-50% decrease in production.”

From the SAG’s viewpoint the risk of this virus spreading into commercial plantations is very low, less than 2%, but Ochagavía pointed out that the industry

has a different view.

“I think that when two entities, in this case the avocado industry and the SAG, have different perceptions it’s good that they get together and reach a consensus,” said Ochagavía. “Their risk assessment is different from ours. We have a difference of opinion but we have agreed to get together and talk about it,” he added.

The Chairman of the Committee of Hass avocados from Chile said that they are in contact with industries from other countries, which have provided them more information in this regard.

“If they have orchards that are free of sunblotch, they can bring all of their avocado to Chile. We are pro-trade, because Chile along with others has done the same in the United States, where the market grew thanks to Mexico, Chile and Peru entering it.”

The entry of Peruvian avocado to Chile would complement the local supply. In the words of Ochagavía, “this is good for the development of the market.”

“We are convinced that the only thing that a greater supply from other sources will do is to make the market grow. We have experienced that as active participants in the US, so it would be very difficult for us to block avocado in circumstances that, at the end of the day, would have Chileans eating 7 kilos instead of 5 and a half.”

“We hope this is solved soon.”

Chile currently imports avocado from Argentina, fruit that is subject to a System Approach.

Fruit is also imported from Peru under a protocol that includes a quarantine treatment oriented towards the fruit fly.

Last year 700 tons entered the country, of which 45% remained in the North of the country and the rest went to the Central region.

Source: http://www.freshplaza.com/news_ detail.asp?id=108272#SlideFrame_1 27

Reed trial

Figure 1. SSB near the stalk of some fruit.

Figure 2. and store

Figure 4. Reed fruit at harvest, when removed from storage (28d) and 1, 2,

28

update

By Alvaro Vidiella NZ Avocado Scientist alvaro.vidella@nzavocado.co.nz

Following the 2011-12 trial to determine the storage potential of Reed, a limited trial was implemented in 2012-13 to further verify the findings.

for 28 days; 100 fruit at 3°C and 100 at The largest percentage of sound fruit 5°C. Another harvest was intended for was observed in the fruit harvested January 20, but there was no fruit left December 20 and stored at 3°C (Figure on the trees because of the small crop.

3).

As in the previous trial, the storage The smallest incidence of SCD was quality of Reed fruit was lower than on the fruit harvested in December and that expected from Hass fruit harvested stored at 3°C (Table 1). The smallest and stored in similar conditions. incidence of SSB was in the fruit Figure 2. SCD in fruit harvested in December and stored 28 Once more, the main defects observed harvested in November. during the assessments were severe These results are similar to those Please refer to the Reed storage evaluation skin blackening during ripening (SSB) obtained from fruit with similarfruit drywas observed in the The largest percentage of sound article published in Avoscene spring 2012 and stone cavity discolouration (SCD) matter content 3°C (Figure 3). as trialled in 2011-12. pp 50-52 for details of the 2012-12 trial. described in the article mentioned The main disorders have been the same above. Other disorders like brown and the percentages of incidence have The 2012-13 trial repeated some of patches, stem end rots, vascular followed similar trends related to the Percentage the combinations of harvest time and browning and diffuse flesh were maturity of the fruit and toof thesound storage fruit 70 storage temperatures that performed also observed but in a much lower temperature.

60 results of the trials to date indicate better in the season 2011-12. Two proportion. As in the previous analysis, The hundred fruit were harvested from one a fruit was considered to be sound that there is a large influence of origin of 50 orchard in Bay of Plenty on November when it had less than 5% external the fruit on its quality. It has a relatively 19 (21.15% dry matter) and on rots, 5% SSB, 5% stem end rot, 20% short 40 harvest window for quality and 3 °C 2. SCD In in fruitvascular harvested in December stored 28 days at 5°C December 20 (25.36 % Figure dry matter). browning, 5% and brown patches, can be stored at 3°C with relatively good 5 °C 30 both harvest dates, the fruit was stored and 10% SCD. results.

SCD in fruit harvested in December ed 28 days at 5°C

, 3 and 4 days after ripening.

20 The largest percentage of sound fruit was observed in the fruit harvested December 20 and stored at 3°C (Figure 3).

10

0 70

Percentage of sound fruit

19/11/2012

20/12/2012

Figure 3. Percentage of sound Reed fruit harvested in November and De

60

The smallest incidence of SCD was on the fruit harvested The smallest incidence of SSB was in the fruit harvested in

50 40

3 °C

30

5 °C

Table 1. Incidence of Stone Cavity Decolouration (SCD) and Severe Skin

20

19/11/2012 20/12/2012

10 0 19/11/2012

20/12/2012

Figure 3. Percentage of sound Reed fruit harvested in November and December and stored at 3 and 5°C.

3 °C SCD SSB 62% 30% 8% 25%

5 °C SCD SSB 51% 11% 21% 55%

These results are similar to those obtained from fruit wit Table 1. Incidence of Stone Cavity Decolouration have been the same and th (SCD) and Severe Skin Blackening (SSB). similar trends related to the maturity of the fruit and to th

disorders Figure 3. Percentage of sound Reed fruit harvested in November and December 2011-12. and storedThe at 3 main and 5°C.

The smallest incidence of SCD was on the fruit harvested in December and stored at 3°C (Table 1).

The smallest incidence of SSB was in the fruit harvested in November.

Table 1. Incidence of Stone Cavity Decolouration (SCD) and Severe Skin Blackening (SSB).

19/11/2012 20/12/2012

3 °C SCD SSB 62% 30% 8% 25%

5 °C SCD SSB 51% 11% 21% 55%

These results are similar to those obtained from fruit with similar dry matter content as trialled in 2011-12. The main disorders have been the same and the percentages of incidence have followed similar trends related to the maturity of the fruit and to the storage temperature.

29

Pollination of avocado: the importance of pollenise The Pollination and Apiculture Team at Plant & Food Research are involved in a wider research project to understand and reduce irregular bearing in avocado.

Our research has identified that improved pollination may help to increase yields in low flowering years, although this is just one part of the complex issue of irregular bearing. In the spring 2012 issue of Avoscene last year, we reported on work carried out to understand the potential causes of sub-optimal pollination in avocado. Here we present our results from 2012 that further explain why pollination can be a limiting factor in avocado production, along with a report of the success of our trial of bumblebee nest boxes (domiciles) in avocado orchards.

Earlier work on avocado pollination by our team established that flowers pollinated by hand showed a fruit set rate of 5%, which is a large increase over the standard 0.2- 0.3% fruit set rate in avocado1. These hand pollinations were conducted on just a few flowers per tree, and it is highly unlikely a whole tree could sustain a 5% fruit set rate. However, this does suggest that pollination might be a limiting factor in avocado fruit production. Our subsequent research certainly appeared to support this; over three years now we have consistently found that almost all female Hass flowers and the honey bees visiting them carry very few pollen grains.

Avocado trees exhibit a very unusual flowering behaviour, with each flower initially opening as a female, then closing and subsequently opening again as a male. To complicate matters further, some cultivars tend to be female in the morning and male in the afternoon, while other cultivars show the opposite pattern. Because all the trees within a cultivar tend to be in sync with one another, polleniser cultivars (such as Bacon, Fuerte and Zutano) are needed to ensure an adequate supply of pollen is available while the Hass flowers are open as females.

One of our aims in 2012 was to assess whether there was a difference in the pollen load carried by honey bees and other pollinators that were caught on Hass versus polleniser flowers. Our hypothesis 30

ers and pollinators is that although pollen may be available on the polleniser flowers while Hass flowers are in their female stage, honey bee behaviour may limit pollination because individual bees will tend to visit the flowers of only one cultivar.

We predicted that there would be a significant difference in the amount of pollen carried by honey bees caught on male polleniser and female Hass flowers.

More importantly, we predicted that other pollinator species, such as flies and bumblebees, would not exhibit this same difference in pollen loads, indicating greater movement between male and female flowers.

We caught honey bees, bumblebees and flies on male polleniser and female Hass flowers that were open at the same time.

We also collected the Hass flowers that had been visited by the insects we caught.

Our sample of honey bees collected on female Hass flowers carried many more pollen grains than we had previously found in 2010 and 2011 (Figure 1). This demonstrates that in the right conditions, honey bees that visit female Hass flowers may be carrying large pollen loads.

However, there were still ten times more pollen grains on honey bees caught on polleniser flowers than on Hass flowers (Figure 2). Flies (predominantly Brown blowflies) showed a similar pattern, with overall pollen loads lower than with honey bees, thus contradicting our hypothesis that flies wouldn’t show a similar pattern to honey bees (Figure 2).

However, there was no difference in the amount of pollen found on bumblebees visiting Hass and polleniser flowers (Figure 2). Although the sample size was small for bumblebees, the highest pollen load on a bumblebee visiting a female Hass flower was twice that of the highest load found on a honey bee visiting Hass.

This result matches our expectation that bumblebees would not exhibit the same difference in pollen loads that we’ve found with honey bees, and supports an Israeli study that demonstrated that

bumblebees were more efficient at crosspollination than honey bees.

When we looked at the female-stage Hass flowers that had been visited by the insects we caught, we found that over 90% had no pollen grains deposited, and the maximum number of pollen grains found on a stigma was two. So despite the higher number of pollen grains carried by honey bees than in previous years, there was still very little pollen deposition occurring.

Activity Pollenisers are planted specifically so that pollinators will transport pollen from male polleniser flowers to the female Hass flower, so it is important that we know which pollinators best achieve this cross-pollination. However, this depends on the reliability of the overlap between male polleniser and female Hass flower stages. The pollen load study above was specifically targeted at days and times when we knew there would be good overlap, based on our previous study of the effects of temperature on Hass flower cycles. In our last Avoscene article, we reported that we had found a strong correlation between the previous night’s minimum temperature and the opening time of Hass female flowers, as noted in other overseas studies. After colder nights, female Hass flowers in New Zealand often opened in the late afternoon and stayed open all night long. The implication of this is that ‘self ’ pollination with Hass pollen could occur at night (depending on flower viability) or in the late afternoon, and thus not during the normal activity period of honey bees. This year, our aim was to establish the relationship between temperature and polleniser flower sequences (focusing on Zutano and Etinger). As in 2011, we set up a series of cameras that took photographs of flowers every five minutes. This provided us with detailed insights into the flowering sequence of polleniser cultivars,

By David Pattemore, Mark Goodwin, Heather McBrydie, and Warren Yorston of The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited

which could then be related to weather recordings collected from the orchards at the same time.

We found that pollenisers exhibited similar responses to temperature as seen with Hass. Of most interest was the point in time at which the pollen became available on polleniser flowers, which we could then compare with the timing of the opening of female flowers on Hass. At overnight minimum temperatures between 11 and 14°C, the availability of polleniser pollen largely matched the period during which Hass female flowers were open (Figure 3A).

When temperatures dropped to 9-11°C overnight, the whole flowering sequence was delayed, and as a consequence, male polleniser flowers were open at dusk and often remained open well into the next day, with pollen often not being released until the next morning (Figure 3B). Because of the wide time of pollen availability, there appears to be good overlap with female Hass flowering during this period. However, the lack of synchrony between flowers means that the overall amount of pollen available in the orchard during this time is likely to be low. At overnight temperatures of 6-9°C, overlap was minimal, suggesting that colder temperatures may result in poor opportunity for cross-pollination (Figure 3C).

In conclusion In conclusion, cold overnight temperatures are likely to result in higher self-pollination rates, provided the flowers are viable and there are effective pollinators available to move pollen in the late afternoons or even at night. Cross-pollination is most likely to occur after the warmest nights, when there is good overlap between male-stage polleniser and female-stage Hass flowers.

However, cross-pollination requires a pollinator that effectively moves pollen between the cultivars. While the honey bees we caught in 2012 were carrying 31

Pollination of avocado: the importance of pollenisers and more pollen than we’ve found in previous years, the difference in the amount of pollen found on bees visiting different cultivars demonstrates that honey bee behaviour probably limits cross-pollination. In contrast, bumblebees appear to have more potential to cross-pollinate effectively.

This research highlights the importance of understanding how cross-pollination may benefit avocado yields and quality. A priority for our future research will be to establish whether cross-pollinated fruit have any advantage over self-pollinated fruit especially in terms of growth and retention until harvest. We also need to continue to investigate the mystery of the very low rates of pollen deposition. In a species like avocado where only a very small fraction of flowers set fruit, we need to sample many flowers to properly characterize pollination.

We believe increasing the numbers of bumblebees on orchards would also benefit pollination because of their greater pollination efficiency (larger bodies depositing more pollen) and the broader range of temperatures in which they are active. With the support of the Avocado Growers’ Association (AGA), we were able to conduct an initial trial into the

use of artificial nest sites (domiciles) to encourage the establishment of bumblebee colonies in avocado orchards. Our long-term aim is to create a domicile that is attractive to new queen bumblebees when they are searching for nest sites in spring.

This nest establishment is part of the bumblebee’s annual cycle, as they do not maintain colonies over winter as honey bees do. Our 2012 trial was the first year of a multi-year programme to develop bumblebee management techniques. We hope to secure government funding to continue this programme, with the support of the AGA and other industry bodies (including Zespri Group Ltd, the Foundation for Arable Research, and Summerfruit NZ).

We established a total of 232 domiciles, including five sites of 32 domiciles each in Bay of Plenty avocado orchards. Overall, 32.6% of the domiciles were occupied by bumblebees (Figure 4). Of these occupied domiciles, 34 developed into active colonies. We have been able to identify some important characteristics of nest sites that appear to affect their success rate. For example, domiciles set into banks are twice as likely overall to result in a successful bumblebee colony than those established on flat

Figure 1. In and 2011, both in both New Zealand Australia, majority of Figure 1.2010 In 2010 and 2011, in Newand Zealand andthe Australia, thehoney majority

of honey visitingHass female-stage Hass were avocado flowers bees caught bees whilecaught visitingwhile female-stage avocado flowers carrying fewerwere than

fewerInthan 20 pollen In contrast, 2012 thecarrying majority ofthan honey 20carrying pollen grains. contrast, in 2012grains. the majority of honeyinbees were more bees were carrying more than 1000 pollen grains.

32

1000 pollen grains.

d pollinators

Continued

ground. As in previous studies in New Zealand, we found that the rarer longtongued bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus) was the most common occupant of the domiciles. We had 27 colonies of the long-tongued bumblebee, compared with just seven colonies of the short-tongued bumblebee (B. terrestris). By conducting intensive population sampling at one site, we found that approximately 50% of the long-tongued queens that were found searching for nests at the site eventually established colonies in our domiciles.

In contrast, fewer than 0.3% of nestsearching short-tongued queens did so. Our design seems to be a very good

design for long-tongued bumblebees, and we hope to see if we can replicate these results in other regions. The shorttongued bumblebee remains a bigger challenge, and our aim is to study the behaviour of nest-site searching queens to determine the criteria they use for selecting nest sites. We can then modify our domicile designs and see whether this improves success rates. We will run this trial on the same group of domiciles this year, to assess whether success improves in the second year.

We’d like especially to thank Steve Noble, John & Cindy Cotterell, Wayne Reed, Sue, and the late Phil, Withy,

David & Anna Haycock, David & Julie Flett, Robin Hancock & Maxine Graham, and Robert Lichtwark, who allowed us to conduct our studies on their orchards and provided assistance with monitoring bumblebee nest sites.

Funding was provided by Plant & Food Research and the Avocado Growers Association, and Pollen Plus assisted with monitoring of bumblebee domiciles.

References: [1] Evans L, Goodwin R, McBrydie H 2010. Factors affecting Hass avocado (Persea americana) fruit set in New Zealand. New Zealand Plant Protection 63: 214-218.

Figurebees 2. Honey bees and on fliesmale-stage caught onpolleniser male-stage Figure 2. Honey and flies caught avocado flowersFigure were 4. Percent of domiciles occupied (black and grey bars) Percent of domiciles occupied (black andcolonies grey bars) by bumblebees bumblebees and resulting in active (light grey bars) and polleniser avocado flowers were carrying significantly moreFigure 4.by carrying significantly caught on female-stage Hass flowers. at seven sites in 2012.

Numbers in parentheses are the numberin of pollen grainsmore thanpollen thosegrains caughtthan on those female-stage Hass flowers. resulting in active colonies (light grey bars) at seven sites in 2012. Numbers

intact domiciles included in the study. was no difference in the of pollen There wasThere no difference in the numbers of numbers pollen grains carriedgrains by bumblebees onare Hass parentheses the number of intact domiciles included in the study. carried by bumblebees on Hass versus polleniser flowers.

versus polleniser flowers.

14 -

11 - 9°C

= Hass female

9 - 6°C

= Zutano Pollen Available

Figure 3. Representation of the opening period of female-stage Hass (green) and male-stage ‘Zutano’ avocado flowers with pollen available (orange) over a 24-hour period. Grey represents night time, and yellow represents day time. A: Opening periods of flowers following overnight minimum temperatures between 11 and 14°C. B: Opening periods of flowers following overnight minimum temperatures between 9 and 11°C. C: Opening periods of flowers following overnight minimum temperatures between 6 and 9°C.

33

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By Henry Pak NZ Avocado technical manager hpak@nzavocado.co.nz

Crop estimation: getting it right Getting the crop estimate right is of tremendous importance to the whole industry. Markets do not respond well to unanticipated events and an accurate crop estimate ensures there are no nasty surprises in terms of market reaction.

As an industry we didn’t estimate our crop volume well at all, with initial estimates in March 2012 of 2.1m export trays, and a final actual export volume of only 1.2m trays.

Exporters need to know what volume of fruit they are going to have so they can negotiate supply agreements with their customers. Based on the crop estimate, exporters agree a flow plan on the volumes of fruit delivered to the key markets by week. An orderly flow of fruit into these markets maximises the values obtained for that fruit, as well as allowing the support of promotional activity.

An overestimate can result in too much fruit being sent to market too early and growers potentially losing out on a missed opportunity from late season supply. An underestimate can result in oversupply of the market and depressed prices. Getting the estimate right provides exporters with the best opportunity to extract maximum

return to growers.

The budget for NZ Avocado is set based on the initial crop estimate in March, and as the majority of income is volume based, an inaccurate crop estimate makes an inaccurate budget, and therefore not a good measure for actual performance.

Estimating the crop at an industry level is not a perfect process, but the accuracy of the overall crop estimate entirely hinges on the individual PPIN estimates that it comprises. So it all comes down to each grower doing the best they can to get their estimate right. There are several techniques that individuals use for crop estimation, though experience is the best teacher. If you are having difficulties getting it right then seek help from your packer or exporter.

But, even if you are getting your packer or exporter to estimate for you, please do make sure you understand how they are estimating your crop, and test it through the eyar for accuracy. We need everyone to be working on getting the estimate much more accurate than we had last season. A good place to start is by reviewing how well your previous estimates have been relative to your actual crop. Do you tend to over-estimate, under-estimate or are your estimates all over the place? Graphing the estimate against actuals can also help pinpoint specific problems; for example, you may underestimate light crops but overestimate heavy crops.

Next take a look in your orchard.

Depending upon the time of year, the

height of your trees and the size of your fruit, the crop may be very hard to see.

This is especially true in a year such as this with a late fruit set and heavy flush potentially concealing the fruit until it is heavy enough to hang down below the leaves. Going back and looking at your crop at different growth stages may give you a better feel for what is there, bearing in mind that you can’t see all the fruit at the top of the trees from the ground.

Another way of approaching it is to look at your trees and make a judgement as to how the crop compares with previous seasons. If you think that overall your crop looks like 50% more fruit than last year, and you already know how many trays that was, this gives you another tool with which to test your estimate. This method can work very well if you have a good memory, but doesn’t work so well when you have set your largest crop ever, as you have no reference point for it.

The crop estimation section in the Avocado Growers’ Manual outlines one technique in detail. Ask around to see if growers you know have a simpler method – especially if they are getting their estimates right!

Needless to say getting your estimate right ultimately increases the return on your crop, so it’s worth taking the time to get it as accurate as you can.

The Crop Estimation chapter of the Avocado Growers’ Manual can be accessed by industry members at www.nzavocado.co.nz/industry > Orchard Mngt > Crop Estimation 35

36

By Glenys Parton NZ Avocado Manager - Projects glenys.parton@nzavocado.co.nz

Regional maturity monitoring programme Regional maturity monitoring by NZ Avocado has commenced for the 2013-14 season. The programme monitors the dry matter accumulation as an indicator of maturity in the three major avocado growing regions of New Zealand. The information gathered is used to determine the earliest possible time harvest maturity will be reached.

Regional maturity monitoring results are updated monthly�fortnightly in the early part of the season, on the industry website www.nzavocado.co.nz/industry > Crop & Market > Regional Maturity Monitoring The programme was recently reviewed to streamline the process and ensure the industry is provided with useful information. As a result of the feedback, monitoring on a fortnightly basis in the early part of the season has been reintroduced.

Below is an explanation of why we have this programme in place and the process we undertake to develop and deliver the results.

Background to regional maturity monitoring In the New Zealand market, avocado value is primarily driven by supply and demand. In the early part of the season, fruit is often of high value due to the limited supply of mature avocados. These high values generate a keenness by growers to supply fruit. The quality, volume and price of fruit in the early part of the season often sets the tone for values for the remainder of a season. All stakeholders need to respect the need for discipline around quality and quantity to ensure a good season start.

The industry export maturity standard and local market best practice is for avocados to reach 24% dry matter before being harvested, or 23% if being ethylene ripened for the New Zealand domestic market. These standards exist to ensure that optimum value is returned for the sale of avocados, and that the industry is able to continue to grow demand for New Zealand avocados poor consumer avocado experiences caused by immature fruit result in a reduction in repeat purchases, which can quickly reduce avocado turnover and be severely detrimental to the value returned to growers.

NZ Avocado implemented a maturity monitoring programme in 2001 to provide industry stakeholders with an indication as to when acceptable maturity is likely to be reached in each of the three growing regions and thus determine the likely time of the earliest commercial supply of fruit.

Process Two key factors that influence early season maturity are tree age and microclimate. Selection of orchards for regional maturity monitoring is dependent on tree age, representation of the area in the region and either known to be traditionally an early maturing orchard or likely to be an early maturing orchard. The orchard has to be carrying a crop that enables sampling through to October. There are currently six orchards in the Bay of Plenty that are involved in this programme, five in Whangarei and four in the Far North.

A sample of one fruit from each of 20 trees at each orchard is taken. This fruit is delivered to the NZ Avocado laboratory within 24 hours of picking.

The core method is used to sample a section of the fruit which is then weighed, dehydrated and weighed again to determine the percentage of dry matter.

The monitoring of the rise in the dry matter (as an indicator of maturity) is carried out from May until October. The resulting information of the dry matter trends of the current season against previous years’ data enables a projection as to the earliest time fruit may be expected to be mature across the regions.

If you have any questions about regional maturity monitoring, please contact Glenys Parton, Manager Projects on 0800 286 2236 or email glenys. parton@nzavocado.co.nz

37

New cultivar trial Figure 1. Average fruit weight in g/fruit.

5.0

Kg/tree Mangawhai trial

4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.05.0

Kg/tree Mangawhai trial

1.54.5 1.04.0

32.0

0.53.5 0.03.0

30.0

2.5 28.0 Bounty 26.0

Duke 7

the different rootstocks harvested in 2012 in

1.0Fruit size 2.3Mangawhai.

Error bars represent standard error. n

Dusa

=0.5 32 and and Duke 34(Figure for Dusa 40 relatively for small but close to Fruit wasfor largerBounty in the Bounty Dusa7,trees 7) withand fruit size theZutano. region’s average size for this season.

0.0

20.0 1/09/2012

Yield

Dusa

150region’s average size for this season.Formatted: Indent: Left: the

0 cm, Hanging: 1.02 cm, No bullets or numbering

The trees were harvested in mid-August 2012 immediately after the 100 fruit reached the adequate maturity. The yield of each tree was measured by weighing each individual fruit. The average yield per tree was higher in the Bounty trees (Figure 6), though the difference with Duke 7 and Dusa is not Yield 50250 statistically significant just be due chance), but consistent with the fruit counts done The trees were(may harvested in tomid-August recorded earlier that yearin 2012. The yield of these trees is nevertheless low considering that they 193 2012 immediately after the fruit reached 185 are in their third year, most likely due to the very difficult situation in 0200 which they were placed in the 173 first years. thetwoadequate maturity. The yield of each Bounty Dusa Duke 7 Zutano

Average Fruit Weight

163 32 count 162-183 g

28 count 184-207 g

Unfortunately, as many of the in the region, these trees have no150 fruit on them for the 2013-14 tree was measured bytrees weighing each season. individual fruit. The average yield per tree 2.4 Tree health

was higher in the Bounty trees (Figure 2), though the difference with Duke 7 and Dusa is not statistically significant (may be due to chance). The yield of these trees is low considering that they are in their third year, most likely due to the very difficult situation in which they were placed in the first two years.

Zutano

32 count 162-183 g

will be needed to confirm this trend.

Figure 1. Dry matter content.

Duke 7

Fruit Average size Fruit Weight Figure 2. Yield in kg per tree of Hass grafted onto the different rootstocks harvested i 250 Fruitstandard was larger inforthe Bounty and represent error. n = 32 Bounty and Duke 7, 34 forDusa Dusa and 40 for Zutano. trees (Figure 3) with fruit size relatively 193 185 200 Fruit 2.3 small butsizeclose to the 173 region’s average size 163 Fruit was larger in the Bounty and Dusa trees (Figure 7) with fruit size r for this season.

g/fruit

22.0

2.2

Zutano

2.02. Yield in kg per tree of Hass grafted onto the different rootstocks harvested in 2012 in Mangawhai. Error bars Figure Figure 2. Yield in kg per tree of Hass grafted onto represent 1.5 standard error. n = 32 for Bounty and Duke 7, 34 for Dusa and 40 for Zutano.

Bounty

1/08/2012

Dusa

Duke 7 Zutano

24.0

Bounty

28 count 184-207 g

Mangawhai trial characteristics: The new cultivar trial is located in a commercial orchard in Mangawhai on a block with heavy soil and prone to waterlogging.

The trial trees were planted in 2009 on a replant situation where 30 year old trees with advance decline symptoms had been pulled out.

Hass trees were used in the trial and were grafted on the following rootstock pattern: • 70 trees on Zutano; the most utilised seedling rootstock in NZ. • 36 trees on Duke 7; clonal rootstock obtained in California more than 30 years ago. Duke 7 was considered the standard clonal rootstock for phytophthora tolerance during the ’80s and ’90s.

• 36 trees on Dusa; clonal rootstock obtained in South Africa. Dusa has become the standard clonal rootstock for phytophthora tolerance since the early 2000s.

• 34 trees on Bounty; clonal rootstock obtained in South Africa. Has shown tolerance to phytophthora similar to Dusa and higher tolerance to water logging conditions overseas.

2012-2013 results Maturity Twenty fruit were harvested from each cultivar on August 15 and September 12, 2012 to be processed with the standard procedure for maturity testing. Maturity of Haas on Bounty was higher in both sampling dates (Figure 1). Further work

g/fruit

In the winter 2012 issue of Avoscene we presented the first yield results of the new cultivar trial. Below is an update of findings we have analysed since publishing the initial results.

100 wass were assessed in February 2013. All surviving Bounty trees were rated as excellent Tree health (in line with results from as happened in 2012) (Table 1). The health of most of the Zutano, Duke 7 50trees that were either good or very good in 2012 have improved to very good or excellent and Dusa in 2013. Most of the Zutano trees that were either poor or very poor in 2012 died in the past year.

0 in health of the surviving trees could be due to several causes, the dry long warm The increase 7 anyZutano summer we haveBounty just experienced,Dusa the trees areDuke not bearing fruit, the management of the block has changed, and the trees have been sprayed every 45 to 60 days with phosphorous acid.

Figure 3. Average fruit weight in g/fruit.

2.4

Tree health

Tree health wass were assessed in February 2013. All surviving Bounty tr (in line with results from as happened in 2012) (Table 1). The health of m and Dusa trees that were either good or very good in 2012 have improve in 2013. Most of the Zutano trees that were either poor or very poor in 20

The increase in health of the surviving trees could be due to several summer we have just experienced, the trees are not bearing any fruit, th has changed, and the trees have been sprayed every 45 to 60 days with p 38

By Alvaro Vidiella NZ Avocado Scientist alvaro.vidella@nzavocado.co.nz

By Bart Hofstee NZ Avocado Research Technician Table 1. Tree health, percentage of trees in each health category in 2012 and 2013. bhofstee@nzavocado.co.nz

update

Bounty Dusa Duke 7 Zutano 2.5

Very poor Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Poor Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 3 0 6 4 34

Good Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 14 6 44 6 16

Poor Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 3 0 6 4 34

Good Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 14 6 44 6 16

Very good Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 8 22 22 33 7 10

Excelle Feb12 97 61 14 4

Trunk diameter

Very good Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 8 22 22 33 7 10

Excellent Feb- Feb12 13 97 97 92 61 64 14 21 4

Trunk diameter mm 90 80 70 60 50 40

2.5 Trunk diameter Tree health Trunk diameter Tree health assessed February The trunkwas diameter data in of February 2013 shows aThe significant increase data in sizeofof February the trees from trunklarge diameter 2013. All were 2013with shows a signifi cant its increase in and last surviving year with allBounty rootstockstrees growing at similar rates, Bounty maintaining first position rated asDusa excellent line with1).results size of the trees fromsizelast all are following(in close (Figure In Figure 2 to Figure 5, trees of average foryear each with rootstock from 2012) (Table 1). The health of rootstocks growing at similar rates, with presented. most of the Zutano, Duke 7 and Dusa Bounty maintaining its first position and trees that were either good or very good Dusa following close (Figure 4). In Figure in 2012 have improved to very good or 5 to Figure 8, trees of average size for excellentmm in 90 2013. Most of the Zutano each rootstock are presented. trees that were either poor or very poor Whangarei and Te Puke trials in 2012 died in the past year.

The increase 80 in health of the surviving In the cultivar trials established in trees could be due to several causes, the Whangarei in May 2011 and in Te Puke dry long warm summer we have just in November 2012 (both in replant experienced,70the trees are not bearing situations), the preliminary results any fruit - like many of the orchards confirm what we have been observing of the area this year, and the trees have in the trial in Mangawhai; the healthiest 60 been sprayed every 45 to 60 days with trees are on Bounty, followed closely by Bounty phosphorous acid.

Dusa.

50 Figure 4. Hass on Bounty rootstock of average size.

Duke 7

Trunk diameter

Bounty Duke 7 Dusa Zutano

Table 1. Tree health, percentage of trees in each health category in 2012 and 2013.

40

Very poor Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

The trunk diameter data of February 2013 shows a significant large increase in size of the trees last year with all rootstocks growing at similar rates, with Bounty maintaining its first position Dusa following close (Figure 1). In Figure 2 to Figure 5, trees of average size for each rootstoc Formatted: Normal presented.

Table 1. Tree health, percentage of trees in each health category in 2012 and 2013.

Dead Feb- Feb12 13 Bounty 3 3 Dusa 0 0 Duke 7 8 3 Zutano 33 61

Dead Feb13 3 3 0 0 8 3 61 33

Feb12

30

Formatted: Indent: Left: 0 cm, 20 Hanging: 1.02 cm, No bullets or numbering 10 0

Figure 3. Trunk diameter just below the graft union of Hass trees grafted on the four different rootstocks.

Figure 4. Trunk diameter just below the graft union of Hass trees grafted on the four different rootstocks.

Commercial Dusa plantings Several Dusa commercial plantings established from 2007 to 2009 are carrying their second crop now with growers relatively satisfied with the results. It would be important to monitor these orchards to obtain independent data about their performance.

Figure 6. Hass on Duke 7 rootstock of average size.

Dusa Zutano

30 20 10 Figure 7. Hass on Zutano rootstock of average size. on Dusa6. rootstock size. rootstock of Figure 5. Hass on0Bounty rootstock ofFigure 5. Hass Figure Hassof average on Dusa 7. Hass on Duke Figure 8. Hass on Zutano rootstock of Figure 6. Hass Figure on Duke 7 rootstock of average size. 7 rootstock of 3 Oother trials average size. average size. average size. average size.

In the cultivar trials established in Whangarei in May 2011 and in Te Puke in November 201

Figure 4. Hass on Bounty rootstock of average size.

replant situations), the preliminary results seem to confirm what we have been observing in in Mangawhai;, the healthiest trees are on Bounty, followed closely by Dusa.

4

Figure 3. Trunk diameter just below the graft union of Hass trees grafted on the four different rootstocks.

Commercial pPlantings

Several Dusa commercial plantings established from 2007 to 2009 are carrying their sec now with growers relatively satisfied with the results. We are currently seeking funds to 39 some of these blocks so we can collect to have some objective data about their performanc

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40

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By Henry Pak NZ Avocado technical manager hpak@nzavocado.co.nz

Effects of drought on avocado production

While heavy rains have finally arrived to quench some drought-plagued regions, the effects of New Zealand’s worst drought in 70 years will have some longer term effects in our orchards.

The extent to which any individual orchard is affected by drought conditions will depend on a number of factors. These include the soil type and moisture holding characteristics, the root distribution within the soil profile (plants that are not irrigated will often have more extensive root systems, while for those that are regularly irrigated, root distribution can be restricted predominantly to the wetted areas) and the presence and type of mulch.

The key here is that not all trees will be equally affected.

The key ways that drought impacts on avocados can be considered as effects on fruit set, fruit size, nutrient uptake, fruit quality and longer-term production.

The main way that the trees respond to water stress is by closing the stomata, the opening in the leaf through which gases and water vapour move in and out of the

leaf. This prevents loss of water vapour, which helps conserve water use but also prevents carbon dioxide and oxygen from entering the leaf, with a subsequent detrimental effect on photosynthesis and hence tree productivity. Nevertheless, lack of water in the soil stresses trees in ways that we do not fully understand. It is known that the production of abscisic acid (ABA) is increased and that this can cause a cascade of other stress responses.

If a drought occurs over flowering this can have a detrimental effect on fruit set.

Of the fruit that does set, the subsequent fruit drop may be delayed until such time as reasonable rainfall occurs. Fruit growth is adversely affected, as an adequate supply of water is essential for cell division and enlargement. On more developed fruit a lack of water can result in an increase in ring neck necrosis (death of cells on the fruit stalk) that can lead to premature fruit drop or to a reduction in fruit quality.

Nutrient uptake relies on an adequate supply of soil moisture. This allows the nutrients to dissolve and be taken up by the plant. Calcium uptake in particular is likely to have been adversely affected as most of the calcium uptake into a fruit occurs within the first 12 weeks following fruit set. Low calcium levels can lead to an increase in fruit quality disorders, both physiological and pathological.

Tree growth can be adversely affected.

There may be a lack of summer flush, which potentially reduces the following season’s crop, although it is thought that the spring flush is the most productive.

Lack of soil moisture also restricts root growth and the tree may miss one or more root flushes. This will potentially increase susceptibility to phytophthora as the roots are not being replenished. Reduced root activity also means that trees may be slower to respond to fertiliser applications.

Extreme soil moisture deficits may have longer term impacts on productivity.

Under severe water stress the water column within the conducting vessels inside the trunk may be broken resulting in ‘air bubbles’ or cavitation. This reduces the efficiency with which water is transported internally within the tree, and can result in decreased productivity. It is thought that the plant needs to grow new conducting tissue and this process may take from one to two years.

The following links provide more advice on how trees can be affected by drought: http://www.horticulture.com.au/ librarymanager/libs/172/Avocado_ Irrigation_Drought_Conditions.pdf http://www.horticulture.com.au/ librarymanager/libs/165/Avocados_ Managing_Water.pdf 41

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Reading your trees A New Zealand Avocado Grower’s Guide

Below are the key tree characteristics as set out in your Reading Your Trees Guide to assess from at this time of year: • April to September: Flower buds, pages 6-8 Once your trees have been assessed you will be ready to consider the suggested intervention strategies.

At the bottom of each section in this guide there are a number of factors to consider to optimise your orchard management. You will need to determine which is the best option for your own situation – if in doubt, seek specialist advice.

Download the Reading Your Trees workbook from the industry website under Resources > and select Orchard Management Guidelines from the drop down box. This workbook complements the Reading Your Trees guide and allows you to record your assessments.

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42

S TA F F C O N TA C T S Jen Scoular

Midge Munro

Bart Hofstee

NZ Avocado Chief Executive Officer

Communications Manager

Research Technician

Develop and implement the industry strategy. jen.scoular@nzavocado.co.nz

Edwina Aitchison Personal Assistant to the CEO

Administrative support to the AGA Executive and the AIC Board; Conference and meeting organisation. Administration support for new germplasm. edwinaaitchison@nzavocado.co.nz

Dr Henry Pak

Implementing the communication strategy: promotions, stakeholder events and publications, industry website development, media liaison. midgemunro@nzavocado.co.nz

Bevan Jelley Local Market Analyst

Identifying issues in local market supply chain and developing strategies to add value. bevan.jelley@nzavocado.co.nz

Glenys Parton

Technical Manager

Quality systems; research & development; managing external research & development providers. henrypak@nzavocado.co.nz

Nici Kennerley Business Manager

Accounting functions and reporting of industry data. nici.kennerley@nzavocado.co.nz

Manager Projects

Assisting with current NZ Avocado research programmes; field and laboratory work – trials and treatments; fruit quality assessments; sample collection and preparation; data entry and analysis. glenys.parton@nzavocado.co.nz

Assisting with current NZ Avocado research programmes. barthofstee@nzavocado.co.nz

Sheryl Wilson Office Administrator

Grower registration; AvoGreen administration; weekly reporting; crop estimation. sherylwilson@nzavocado.co.nz

Joanne Nunn Administration Assistant

Reception and general administration duties. jnunn@nzavocado.co.nz

Dr Alvaro Vidiella Scientist

Managing and implementing the NZ Avocado research programme. alvaro.vidiella@nzavocado.co.nz

NZ Avocado Office : 0800 AVOCADO

43

44

Directors

Contents

Bay of Plenty Ashby Whitehead NZAGA & AIC Chair Ph 07 573 6680 m. 027 283 2192 alwhitehead@xtra.co.nz Far North Ian Broadhurst Ph 09 406 7308 m. 021 395 906 kingavocado@xtra.co.nz At Large Roger Barber Ph 09 435 0785 m. 021 488 124 barbers@ihug.co.nz John Cotterell Ph 07 549 3395 m. 0274 513 138 jccotterell@actrix.gen.nz John Schnackenberg Ph 07 549 0717 m. 021 731 437 jschnack@ihug.co.nz Tony Ponder NZAGA Vice Chair Ph 07 552 4223 m. 0274 733 712 tony@flaxmillavocado.co.nz Rest of NZ David French Ph 09 238 3359 m. 0274 375 315 famille@ps.gen.nz Export Directors Alistair Young, Mark Yortt

Avoscene Advertising & Editorial Avoscene is published by New Zealand Avocado For editorial contact: Natasha Mitchell Sun Media Ltd No.1 The Strand, Tauranga Ph: 07 578 0030 Fax: 07 571 1116 email natasha@thesun.co.nz For advertising contact: Rose Hodges at Sun Media Ltd email rose@thesun.co.nz Design and production: Kym Johnson, Sun Media Ltd email kym@thesun.co.nz Printed at: Kale Print

Subscriptions NZ $125 plus GST per year (five issues) In New Zealand NZ $27 per single copy NZ Avocado Office PO Box 13267, Tauranga 3141 Ph: 07 571 6147 or 0800 AVOCADO (0800 286 2236) Fax: 07 571 6145 www.nzavocado.co.nz

Regular Columns Chairman’s comment CEO’s comment Exporters’ comment Packer update Local marketers’ comment Organic growers’ comment Regional Roundups New Zealand Avocado highlights Growers’ comment

5 6 9 10 11 12 14 17 18

Features Avocentric: Greg and Heather Bayliss Market focus: South Korea Crop estimation: Getting it right Regional maturity monitoring programme Effects of drought on avocado production

20 21 35 37 41

News New Chairman announced Industry news Avocado news from the World

22 23 26

Research & Technical Reed trial update Pollination of avocados: The importance of pollinisers and pollinators New cultivar trial update Reading your trees

29 30 38 42

By Ashby Whitehead NZAGA and AIC Chair alwhitehead@xtra.co.nz

I Chairman’s Comment I

Building on good foundations With this being my first chairman’s article, I would like to thank our former chairman John Schnackenberg for the excellent job that he has done in leading our industry for the past five and a half years.

There have been some difficult challenges in this time with ASBVd, avocado scab and a Board restructure. There was also a very poor season in 2011-12 as far as returns were concerned, which in turn led to considerable unrest amongst growers. John has led the industry through these obstacles and I believe we are in a much improved position thanks to his great stewardship. Many thanks, John.

I would also like to thank Mike Eagles for his contribution to the industry. Mike resigned from his role as the NZAGA Grower Representative for the Mid North region in April. He has done a very good job for the growers in the mid-North over the last eight years. Mike has been a battler for the best interests of growers and was awarded an NZAGA service award for contribution to the industry at the AGM in 2012. He has focused strongly on issues affecting Northland growers and has recently been working closely with HortNZ on water and electricity issues to ensure growers are protected when new rules or regulations are rebated and enforced. Mike is the Chairman of the Rural Support Trust and has recently been heavily involved supporting drought affected farmers in the Whangarei district.

The Mid North seat will remain vacant until the grower elections prior to the September AGM. The seat has a one year term remaining, so the grower elected to this role will be elected on a one year term.

The Executive agreed the vacancy from now until the AGM does not disrupt our ability to govern. Roger Barber, an At Large Grower Rep. will cover regional issues for the Mid North on top of his responsibility for national issues.

We also have a new export director, Mark Yortt, who has replaced Andrew Darling as an export director. Thank you Andrew for your efforts over the years.

It is a team effort and the strong and robust debate we have around the table is characteristic of a healthy Board and leads to good decision-making. I look forward to working with Mark and the new Board members who will be elected before the AGM. 2012-13 season The 2012-13 season has shown good returns to growers on a lighter than expected export volume of 1.2 million trays. This was due to a good return out of Australia after a lower than predicted supply from Western Australia. Good returns were also shown from Singapore. Japan took a lower than expected volume due to a strong Mexican presence at a lower than predicted price point.

2013-14 crop It is good to see that predicted Bay of Plenty volumes are back up after the 201213 season. It appears that it is mid North’s turn at this. I feel for these growers with little or no crop, as I experienced this problem last season.

Industry collaboration The Avocado Exporters Council (AVEC) has become an incorporated society and this will hopefully lead to more cohesion amongst exporters and provide some structure to develop new markets. AVEC has seen our exporters become more disciplined and increase their levels of collaboration as

they develop and maintain their relationships with their Asian markets.

Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) At the time of writing, the PGP business case has not yet been accepted but is being worked on furiously. If this is accepted, we are hoping to increase investment in market development and research to improve yields and decrease the effect of irregular bearing.

Thanks must go to Jen and her team on the effort that has been put into the PGP business case.

New elevating work platform guidelines Over the past three years I have been involved with the rewrite of the ‘Best practice guidelines: Safe use of elevating work platforms in the horticultural industry’ and in early April it was finally endorsed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

It is available on the industry website www. nzavocado.co.nz/industry > Risk Mngt > Health & Safety. I urge growers to take some time to read this document.

Joint conference We have an exciting event on the horizon – the 5th Quadrennial New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers’ Conference, Nutritional Values, being held 9-12 September 2013 in Tauranga.

This is an excellent opportunity for the stakeholders of the industry to come together and focus on the bigger picture for our industry.

Speakers will explore the opportunities we have and what it will take to realise these.

We will also learn about the amazing health properties of the avocado and the latest on maximising production in your orchard. I encourage you to join us at this event and I thank the sponsors who are supporting the industry to make this conference possible.

5

Grower letter I CEO’s Comment I Dear Editor A couple of months ago we attended a wellsupported AVANZA Road Show in Tauranga and I left the meeting with a strong belief that most attendees supported this industry collaboration.

I am now aware that another collaboration has been formed, and would like to better understand how AVOCO™ fits into the industry structure?

Regards, Sid Turnbull, Katikati Editor: We understand that there are a number of collaborations being formed across the industry, and will look to include an article in the next issue of AvoScene on those collaborations.

Grower letters in Avoscene If you want to express a view or ask a question (technical or other) that you would like other growers to read in Avoscene then please contact us.

The deadline for letters to be featured in the upcoming August issue of Avoscene is 1 July.

Please be aware that we may not be able to print every letter due to space constraints. All letters must be 300 words or less. Letters must be in good taste and focus on issues of general concern, not personalities.

Letters must contain a name, address and daytime phone number of the author.

NZ Avocado reserves the right not to publish material which may offend readers and may reject or edit any letter.

Forward your letter to Jen Scoular at avoscene@nzavocado. co.nz or fax to 07 571 6145 or you can post to Avocado Industry Council, PO BOX 13267, Tauranga 3141.

A finge It’s a great way to get a pulse on the industry – getting out and meeting you at roadshows.

I was asked by someone outside the industry how many growers we would expect at each roadshow and I said between 20 and 50 at each one, which was about right. We could look at that and say, that isn’t a lot of growers from the 1,600 we have in the database, but everyone has the opportunity to turn up, get an update and talk through any issues with us, and those that do usually stay for a cup of tea and a chat afterwards.

That’s my time to learn more about you, what you are seeing on your orchards, what you are planning, how you are feeling about the industry.

The April roadshows were certainly more positive than a year ago; returns coming in are showing some good per tray figures, though obviously with much lower yields, returns that are less than optimal per hectare.

OGR template I hope you have had a look at the OGR (Orchard Gate Return) template we have on the website. Nici has managed that process, and I congratulate her on beating the nay-sayers who suggested we wouldn’t get an industry-wide definition of OGR. The template is blank so you need to fill in the returns from your pool summaries, but I think it’s a good start to have a definition of OGR for the industry. It’s also version 1; we are keen to have feedback and welcome suggestions for improvements to make it more useful for growers.

2012-13 successes As I write this I’m also double-checking the budget we are presenting to the Board. As a management team we have reviewed progress towards delivery of our five year plan and have set objectives for the coming season to further enable delivery of that plan. I covered

6

By Jen Scoular CEO New Zealand Avocado jen.scoular@nzavocado.co.nz

er on the pulse off in the roadshows what I thought our biggest successes were, but no harm to repeat them here.

I am certainly much more informed about what is happening across the wider industry. The market development plans I receive from exporters provide great information; I hope you are all seeing more information from your exporter on their plans for next and future seasons. Collectively we all need to be doing a bit more longer term planning if we are going to succeed with the profitable sustainable industry we are working towards.

Across the industry we can’t underestimate the amount of work involved in developing new markets and our ability to be successful is absolutely enhanced when we work collaboratively on market development.

We have worked hard over the past year to focus on fewer science projects but ensure we deliver from them.

Alvaro has streamlined the new cultivar evaluation, limiting the size of the cultivar trials without impacting the ability to get results, and ensuring more field days are held in the trial blocks or in orchards commercially growing new cultivars. Glenys has focussed on the second year of the pruning trial, with an excellent meeting with all orchardists and the pruning contractors in the trial to share data and knowledge. Henry has been strongly pushing market access and we are very happy to report we have gained access for India – access we truthfully thought may have been a few years away yet.

Nici updated the full year forecast just prior to the last finance committee meeting, with an update of the domestic commodity levy collected, which suggests the value of the NZ market this year exceeded $27m, a record, and a tribute to excellent work by

local marketers, real success in raising visibility, but more than anything, a more collaborative team heading in the same direction – to add real value to the sector.

Congratulations to all those involved and well done to Bevan, who has done some great work collecting and sharing information, and promoting a more collaborative approach across the players in the New Zealand market to drive value. A great measure to report against in a year’s time. No pressure local marketers!

Annual subscription We did discuss an annual subscription fee at the roadshows. We talked about this at the Commodity Levy roadshows in July last year and wanted to see how you felt about that. We are not promoting it; we wanted your opinion as to whether it would add value to you as growers. There would be no change in income for NZ Avocado; any income from a subscription fee would mean a reduction in levy rates.

Currently growers not exporting don’t register with us, and an annual subscription fee would mean that growers wanting to hear from us and attend our activities would need to pay the subscription fee to be on the mailing list and be included in all invitations and events. We mooted a separate fee of $150 on top of the export registration fee or a combined subscription and registration fee of $300 or $1000. The $1000 idea wasn’t well supported but growers in general at the roadshows liked the idea of an annual subscription fee but there wasn’t a clear view on the amount or whether it should be combined with the export registration fee. It’s a grower question so its implementation would need to be supported by growers at the AGM.

If you have a view, please share it with us at the online forum www.nzavocado. co.nz/industry/avoforum_results.csn Nutritional values 2013 I am really excited about the grower conference in September. The lineup of speakers Midge and Henry are attracting is terrific, and the conference represents an exciting opportunity for us to increase our awareness and knowledge of the amazing health and nutritional properties of the avocado and explore opportunities to leverage the nutritional benefits of this fruit.

Our avocado ambassador Nadia Lim is joining us, Russ Ballard will present a big picture view on the world in which avocados fit and Stephen Toplis, BNZ Economist will share his insights on the economics impacting our industry. They each have a wonderful ability to make their topic exciting and interesting.

My expectations won’t be met unless lots of you are there because I won’t understand how you would miss such an opportunity to increase your knowledge, understanding and connections in this amazing industry we are all a part of.

Registrations are open – and I’ll keep nagging until you’ve got your tickets!

See all the details online at www. avocadoconference.co.nz or register using the forms we have included with this issue of Avoscene.

New Chairman As we change chairman, I acknowledge the wonderful support John has provided me as I’ve taken on the role, his passion for the industry and the workload he has carried, and I’m very pleased he will remain on the Board.

I welcome Ashby as our new chair, knowing he will take the industry forward, drive hard to get results, and push us all to deliver value to growers.

7

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By Alistair Young AIC Export Director alastair@southernproduce.co.nz

I Exporters’ Comment I

Those emerging markets - a hot topic I am always interested to hear each individual’s opinion on market development and what each person’s take is on what needs to be done about emerging markets.

These discussions are at times quite inspirational but many of the aspirations are based on popular belief created by discussions in the heat of the moment or by opinions expressed at industry meetings.

What we do know without question about emerging markets is that we must expand our horizons to maintain healthy industry growth. That’s a no-brainer. Just where and how we do this is a matter for conjecture.

Let’s take a critical look at ourselves.

The challenge with emerging market development is that marketers and industry politicians alike can extoll the virtues of a market opportunity based on very little or no evidence to support the claim that the market in question is in fact viable.

These claims need challenging.

The questions that need to be asked are: Is the return viable from this market when taking into account the international competition? What growth can we expect?

Is it enough to make the investment in developing the market worthwhile?

Let’s look at a case study on a market that is relatively successful, namely Japan.

Japan has been a project of mixed success, mostly due to the competitive pricing from Mexico. Yes, our product is better quality at the time of year we ship there,

but Mexico still calls the shots on baseline value. Japan currently consumes 10 million trays of Hass annually; of this consumption New Zealand supplied 116,000 trays or 1.16% in 2012. New Zealand has a tiny amount of influence in this massive marketplace but we have made a mark.

But before we run off and drink the champagne, there are some realities to sober us up.

The problem with Japan is the economics of the returns and the cost of on-going maintenance of quality through inventory management. The Mexican competition sets the benchmark for our sales values and it is not helped by the high value of the New Zealand dollar against the Yen, which in 2013 makes the orchard gate return marginal at best. We have to, and will be, in this market this season as an industry. Japan is still the best alternative to Australia, considering the combination of value and volume.

Other markets There are other markets that pay better than Japan; they just don’t buy enough product in the short to medium term.

Singapore and Korea are positive examples of market growth with good value but significant volume increase will take time and investment to have a major effect.

Then there is our quality reputation.

I often hear at meetings the cry “why aren’t we shipping to China, Taiwan and Thailand?” “What about India?” And so on. These markets all hold opportunity, sure, but are they economic and more critical in the early stages of development?

Are they capable of handling avocados with suitable infrastructure to protect quality?

There is no point in shipping a container into a potential market only to have consumers unable to eat the fruit due to poor handling and cool chain management by inexperienced receivers.

Avocados are a specialist produce line; they require expertise to grow, pack, ship, distribute and retail. We as the New Zealand avocado industry need to ensure that our business partners in all facets of the marketing process know the product and what is needed for a consumer to have a good experience.

Shipping some fruit to a market does not mean the job is done, that’s the easy bit. We as an industry need to protect our investment all the way through the system.

Finally there is supply.

The biennial nature or ‘irregular bearing’ (which is the new fashionable phrase) is an enormous handicap for New Zealand to grapple with.

One year we develop a market, the next we are apologising that we cannot keep up. The work we carry out in growing demand too often becomes an opportunity for another country’s fruit to gain a foothold. We need to overcome this handicap and soon.

So what’s all this leading to?

We must focus only on those markets which when evaluated show a viable return. We must ensure we don’t just load up a boat and expect that market to do well without in-market management and we must reduce the effect of irregular bearing.

The only acceptable outcome is to see these challenges met. That outcome requires a lot of work by all of us.

9

Top effort from packers Each season AsureQuality produce a quality management report summarising the key audit activities undertaken at packhouses as part of the quality assurance system run

by NZ Avocado.

The results this season are excellent, with good compliance across in all key areas. Major highlights are: • 97 samples tested for residues of which 81% would have qualified for “all market access” status with either no residues present (16%) or postharvest residues only (86%). Preharvest residues detected came from five chemicals, namely chlorpyrifos (7), pirimiphos

10

methyl (2), fluvalinate (2), tebufenozide (1) and maldison (1).

• Three packers had no noncompliances (Seeka, Far North Packers and Kerifresh), with a further three having only minor non-compliances, six with only one major non-compliance and two with two majors. Overall 21 non-compliances were issued which is the lowest level in six seasons.

• Only one packer has ended the season with a high risk rating, down from three at the start of the season. Eleven packers ended the season with a low risk rating.

• Only one grade failure was found during the audits from 68 lines tested.

• The total defects level was 3.4% of the 15,546 fruit inspected, the lowest since the 2004-05 season.

• The proportion of fruit aged 11 days or more for the Australian market was about 6%, a similar level to the past two seasons with an improving trend since

the 2006-07 season.

• All fifteen packers have a waterblaster installed with 13 commissioned to the USA specification, of which five are also commissioned to the nonUSA specification. Only two are commissioned to non-USA specification only. Of the 40 audits of waterblaster operation, 22 were operating at the USA specification.

• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (AU) off-shore preclearance failure rate was 2.1% (the lowest equal failure rate since the programme has been operating) with seven failures from 340 lots inspected. Five of the failures were for contaminant pests.

• The one notable negative trend was a decrease in the proportion of fruit picked and packed with 24 hours, down from 45% to 32%.

Congratulations to our avocado packers on a job well done.

By Mike Swan Domestic sales and marketing Southern Produce Ltd mike@southernproduce.co.nz

I Local Marketers’ Comment I

The best season we have seen The change of seasons is now well and truly upon us and the drought I spoke of in my last article seems a distant memory. What a way to end a dry spell! In the Bay of Plenty the rainfall topped 200mm in 24 hours and at one point was falling at 94.7mm per hour.

It’s always difficult to quantify the effect that weather events have, but there was a lot of comment that crop being hung late for late local market supply had been reduced considerably as a result of the wind and rain.

Having said this, there is still currently a supply of fruit both on the wholesale market and in the retail channels. As expected, values have increased markedly as the supply shortens.

Looking back on the season just finishing, we can be satisfied that it has been one of the best we have seen, in terms of both values returned to growers, and category development in New Zealand.

It is not often that returns on fruit

sold on the local market rival the export returns.

Without a doubt, the lower crop volume is the key driver in this result, but I believe that there was still some real headway made in the mind-set and relationships between those involved in the New Zealand avocado marketplace.

Supermarkets have played an important role in the development of the avocado category in New Zealand.

We have seen information videos on how avocados are grown, how to select the correct ripeness, and even three tiered ripeness shelves offering different stages of maturity.

Those of us supplying the retail chains are continually offering product support to those people who handle our crop further down the supply chain. Produce manager guides, in-store demonstrations and promotional activity all help keep the avocado profile up.

It was heartening to see the (rescheduled) NZ Avocado end of season road show in Omokoroa (BOP) well attended on April 23. The good participation extended to discussion from the floor, with some apprehension still surrounding the ability of the domestic market to deliver good returns in an on-year.

Clearly there are some factors over which we have no control, the

primary one being that a New Zealand population of four million people can simply not absorb all of the non-export fruit presented in a three to four million tray export season.

Growers can still lessen the effect a big season can have on domestic values by considering the following: 1. Target export. If every grower was able to achieve a 70% pack-out, the effect on the volume spilling into the local market would be huge.

2. Be proactive about the fate of your non-export fruit. Who is selling it, who are they selling it to, and at what value?

Your local marketer should be able to advise you of what value to expect.

3. Select pick. If the smaller sizes are not going to represent a worthwhile return then leave them on the tree where they will attract less additional cost, while still offering a harvest option if the markets allow at a later date.

4. Support the processing options the industry has. The greater the diversity of avocado products on offer, the greater the profile of the fruit itself.

The avocado is already being hailed as a fashionable and healthy culinary option Looking to the coming season, I would like to think that collectively and cooperatively we can continue the progress the industry has made on the local market front in the last two years.

11

I Organic growers’ comment I

Organic growers encoura I have recently been elected to the position of chairman of NZ Organic Avocado Growers Inc. which has been led by Mike Crum for the last few years. For my first contribution to Avoscene I thought I would go back to the basics: what is organics and what does our organisation do?

The information below is based on that put together by Matt Leamy for the industry website and it’s been on there for a few years now, but rather than just refer you to a number of links I want to bring it to your attention and start to create some dialogue between organic avocado growers and the industry.

History of NZOAGI The longest standing certified organic producer in New Zealand is an avocado grower with the Bio Gro registration number ten. The orchard was certified in 1983 - the year that Bio Gro was established.

In the two decades that followed, a small but steady community of growers developed, many of them working independently from other organic growers and all with a strong focus on the local market.

A number of growers became their own marketer, developing their own clientele. There was export fruit being shipped from as early as 1981. There was some fruit going to the supermarkets but mostly the supply was to organic shops, direct supply and small retailers.

Prior to the first meetings of the Organic Avocado Growers Group in 1998, growers tended to work out their own programmes, with management practices being quite different from orchard to orchard. Some had very successful seasons at times and some others had variable results.

Not much information was shared and new entrants to the sector had no real support. The growers group was set up to change all that.

In 2007, the informal Organic Avocado Growers Group became an incorporated society, and was 12

By Martin Munro Chairman, NZ Organic Avocado Growers Inc martin.jane.munro@gmail.com

aged to work together renamed to NZ Organic Avocado Growers Incorporated. A funding application to the national organics organisation Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) was successful. This funding ran through to June 2009 and was used to establish the organisation and run a number of projects with the aim of supporting interested growers and improving the level of information available.

In November 2006 NZOAGI had 30 members, with 24 having some level of certified status. As of March 2009 there were 69 members, with 37 having some level of certified status. The numbers have slipped in recent years to approximately 30 but I, along with my executive, am hoping to re-enthuse some latent organic avocado growers back into the game.

The following is an extract from the constitution of NZOAGI. NZOAGI Objectives: • to promote the growing of organic avocados • to encourage and support more growers to grow avocados organically • to educate and inform • to advocate on behalf of growers with an interest in organic avocado production • to facilitate communication between all parties with an interest in organic avocado production or marketing • to encourage and promote research into organic avocado production What is organics?

Organics is often thought of as not doing certain things, not applying toxic pesticides and not putting on synthetic fertilisers. Indeed it is these, but to do it well it is much more. It means having an appreciation for the role that soil microbes play in context with the trees. The bacteria, fungi,

protozoa, nematodes, arthropods and not forgetting the worms, are all part of the complex food web that digests raw material and releases nutrients right where the trees can access them.

Balancing the soil chemistry is step one. The organic grower then needs to pay attention to nurturing the hidden herd of helpers who deliver nutrients to the trees, who predate on soil borne pathogens and who bind carbon into complex organic compounds that are the soil humus.

The soil could be thought of as the stomach of the plant; we feed the soil and the soil feeds the trees.

All of this can of course be done without being certified organic. Making the decision to become certified is about getting recognition for the principles behind the growing system. There are consumers who value the contribution organics makes in environmental management and who want a guarantee of no chemical residue on their food.

Consumers of organic products are able to have confidence and trust in the source of their food.

There is much diversity in organic management practices. Many of these have been developed by growers from their understanding of biological principles. Some of these practices have a foundation in work done by scientists or organic practitioners in other industries and some of these practices are based on the grower’s experience.

As such, there are few studies of the efficacy of organic production systems for avocados in New Zealand. This does not mean they don’t work; it does mean much of the research has yet to be done to establish how well they work.

Yet enough progress has been made in recent years to give avocado growers the

confidence to continue working and developing organic practices.

A Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) Project was run by the Soil and Health Association in 2003 which saw growers get together and discuss management practices and develop a resource guide – Organic Avocado which can be downloaded from http://www. biodynamic.org.nz/guides/AVORESG_ LR.PDF. With the knowledge and information from the SFF project and the occurrence of seminars by international speakers (including Dr Elaine Ingham and Dr Arden Anderson who have spoken on organics in New Zealand since 2001), alongside developments from product suppliers and advances in orchard management, confidence is growing that organic systems can deliver.

The future for grower of organic avocados Organic fruit has been exported consistently since 2000. Export has been well established and the signals from international markets are for a strong demand for certified organic products.

However, organic volumes are low in comparison to the total industry production and indeed organic avocado growers are few and far between, so I urge us to work together in order to create value for our niche section of the industry.

I will be attending the Nutritional Values conference in September and would like to connect with organic avocado growers at this event.

For growers interested in planting for organic avocado production or joining NZOAGI, I can be contacted by email martin.jane.munro@gmail.com or phone 07 5480 329.

For those in Northland, please email Mike Crum mpcjcrum@xtra.co.nz 13

Regional R AT LARGE

By John Cotterell

Crop estimation Most growers I have talked to are saying they have more crop than their first estimates indicated. It is critical that we as growers do everything we possibly can to assist our packers and exports to get our crop estimates as accurate as possible - you know your orchard best. Is it heavier or lighter than previous crops? You should have a good gut feeling as to where it’s at; work it through with your packhouse rep. to get it right. If you are reasonably new to avocado growing there is information in your growers’ manual and on the industry website www.nzavocado.co.nz/industry > Orchard Mngt > Crop Estimation.

Exporters have got their export season results out now which are much better than the early predictions for the season; also on the website are OGR templates for growers to use.

Industry interaction There has been a lot of industry activity happening lately, as my calendar can attest. Since my last Avoscene contribution I have been to two Board meetings, two end of season road shows, two NZ Avocado field days, one Quality Standards meeting, one Katikati growers’ meeting and an Environmental Protection Agency meeting in Auckland, along with Henry Pak.

Implications of weather What seemed to be the endless summer came to an end mid-April. From Christmas until April 14 we had less than 100mm of rain. The following ten days we had 341mm and one night we got 160mm during the night, which caused localised flooding, most of which disappeared quickly. Growers with irrigation will most likely see a return on their investment in fruit size and I will be watching with a keen eye as to how these irrigated trees perform when they flower next spring.

New season fruit There is a massive range in fruit size for the coming season; size picking may come into play for some growers. I have seen size 20 count fruit in some orchards already. The early season fruit for the New Zealand market needs to meet 23% dry matter before it is picked. Supermarkets will only take fruit that has been independently tested to meet this standard, so just because you see new season fruit on the shelves this does not mean you can pick your fruit; it needs to be independently tested first. Remember the customer that buys immature fruit is very unlikely to be rushing back to buy more avocados any time soon. The control is in your hands – we need to all be looking at the big picture!

14

Roundups FAR NORTH

By Ian Broadhurst

Over our summer and autumn we have experienced prolonged periods of little or no rain, with the region being declared in a drought.

With most orchards in the Far North having irrigation, the effect has been minimal apart from power bills to run pumps. Rain during the past three weeks before writing this has finally brought some relief with timely falls, although our extended summer still continues with excellent temperatures, allowing many trees, especially young ones, to continue to flush.

The trees have come through the summer well, with excellent flush and low phytophthora pressure; leaf is generally in excellent health and trees will head into winter in good condition. Fruit size overall is a vast improvement on last year. The flush over spring and summer has given the trees plenty of opportunity to set flower for the next season, with trees now obviously setting up for flowering with bud formation.

Most growers have now completed their annual phytophthora treatment, with some trialling other methods of control including the new stem cap treatment. Phytophthora would be our single biggest orchard health issue in the north, along with mites, so treatment and management are critical.

The use of phosphonate testing of roots

AT LARGE

News and views from your regional NZAGA Grower Representatives

will provide good information on deciding on treatment options, timing and delivery.

A real concern that we have is while we have had a dry summer the law of averages generally meand we will still have our annual rainfall but in a more compressed period, water-logged soils are perfect conditions for phytophthora, so treatment at this time is very important.

May is the time to collect leaf and soil samples. The results of these samples give a good indication of the nutrient status of the tree, allowing for the preparation of nutrition programmes for the next 12 months. When formulating the fertiliser programme it’s important to remember that winter leaves can be very effective and we still have plenty of opportunity to build carbohydrate levels over the next five months prior to flowering.

I recall an early AIC research paper from four years ago indicating how effective winter leaves are and we have plenty of opportunity to build carbohydrate levels over the winter period. This can be an excellent time to ensure our trees are well set up for flowering, as the cooler temperatures reduce the trees desire to push vegetative growth but to store reserves as part of the fruit setting process and subsequent spring flush.

Also worth noting at this time of the year is the effect of heavy winter rains which can leach away recently applied fertilisers,

especially in the soils of the Far North which are predominantly sandy. Good practice would be apply top-up applications in small amounts after heavy down-pours.

During April, Far North growers hosted John, Jen and Alistair as part of the end of season road shows. The effort that our chairman, CEO and AVEC chairman put into these occasions is much appreciated and gives growers plenty of opportunity to discuss industry issues and give direction.

Highlights from the meeting include the importance of crop estimation, which is critical in terms of flowing crop and maximizing grower returns, while early immature fruit on the local market generated some very robust discussion.

The consensus of the meeting was immature fruit in the market has no place; it is responsibility of all those in the supply chain to ensure the customer has a good buying experience.

Thank you to all those that participated in the EMS and Quality Standards reviews; your input is critical to ensure a balanced approach on these issues.

Finally, on behalf of all growers in the Far North I would like to thank John Schnackenberg for his leadership and effort during his time as chairman of our industry body and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.

By John Schnackenberg

An interesting change in focus for me over the next period as I step back from chairmanship and become reacquainted with my orchard and find more time for overthe-fence conversation with fellow growers. Of recent interest has been the question “Is irrigation the missing link?” to consistent production.

We can’t answer that question definitively, but a number of growers are considering their options regarding irrigation, particularly fertigation benefits; even considering providing on orchard storage for town supply water for fertigation at least.

Is there enough water supply in Katikati and would council support substantially increased draw on public supplies? I am

fortunate to have on-orchard water via a bore and have irrigated consistently since early January. It will be interesting to see a size profile comparison with non-irrigated, similar age and production orchards at the season end to assess the possible value added.

A bore and reticulation is probably a prohibitive investment for a typical BOP sub 4 ha orchard but storing/utilising town supply may be worth considering?

My last formal activities as chairman has been the recent round of end of season road shows (generally well attended with good discussion on various issues) and our AGA and AIC board meetings on May 2.

Crop estimation is a key drum being beaten and it behoves us as growers to take real and personal responsibility in assisting our packers to get it right. Exporter presentations

at the road shows tell us that the key crop estimate is that for late June from which commitments to markets are made.

Please make the time to walk your orchards May/June and sharpen up your personal estimates.

The general comment around the first early bird crop estimate has been to wait for the first fruit drop following anticipated heavy rains. We got them in the BOP – 320mls Monday April 15 to Sunday April 21. Yes, despite constant irrigation, a modest fruit drop has occurred although I suspect much is due to some strong winds Saturday April 20 which recorded 192ml in 24 hours to 9am Sunday! Surprisingly our orchards seem in pretty good shape notwithstanding the summer dry. Here’s to a great 2013-14 harvest and strong markets.

15

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Gypsum Prevents Crusting of Soil & Aids Seed Emergence

Gypsum can decrease and prevent the crust formation on soil surfaces which result from raindrops or from sprinkler irrigation on unstable soil. It can prevent crusting that results when acid soils are lime & the gypsum is coapplied with the lime.

Gypsum Improves Low-Solute Irrigation Water Gypsum is used to increase the solute concentration of low-solute water used for irrigation. Irrigation water from rivers that no longer have sources of leachable salts either penetrates poorly into soil or causes soil particles to degrade which results in low water penetration. The problem can be corrected with surface applied gypsum or application to the irrigation water.

Gypsum Suppresses Soil Borne Disease Gypsum applications aid in the prevention of soil borne diseases often present in anerobic soil conditions.

Gypsum Improves Swelling Clays Gypsum improves Soil Structure Gypsum provides calcium which is needed to flocculate clays in acid and alkaline soil.

Gypsum Helps Reclaim Sodic Soils Where the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of sodic soils is too high, it must be decreased for soil improvement and better crop growth. The most economical way is to add gypsum which supplies calcium. The calcium replaces the sodium held on the clay-binding sites. The sodium can then be leached from the soil as sodium sulfate to an appropriate sink. Without Gypsum, the soil would not be leachable.

Gypsum Prevents Crusting of Soil & Aids Seed Emergence Gypsum can decrease and prevent the crust formation on soil surfaces which result from raindrops or from sprinkler irrigation on unstable soil. It can prevent crusting that results when acid soils are lime & the gypsum is coapplied with the lime.

Gypsum Improves Low-Solute Irrigation Water Gypsum is used to increase the solute concentration of low-solute water used for irrigation. Irrigation water from rivers that no longer have sources of leachable salts either penetrates poorly into soil or causes soil particles to degrade which results in low water penetration. The problem can be corrected with surface applied gypsum or application to the irrigation water.

Gypsum Suppresses Soil Borne Disease Gypsum applications aid in the prevention of soil borne diseases often present in anerobic soil conditions.

16

Gypsum Improves Swelling Clays

Gypsum can decrease the swelling and cracking associated with levels of exchangeable sodium on the montmorillonite-type clays. As sodium is replaced by calcium on these clays, they swell less and therefore do not easily clog the pore spaces through which air, water and roots move.

Gypsum can decrease the swelling and cracking associated with levels of exchangeable sodium on the montmorillonite-type clays. As sodium is replaced by calcium on these clays, they swell less and therefore do not easily clog the pore spaces through which air, water and roots move.

Gypsum Prevents Waterlogging of Soil Gypsum improves the ability of soil to drain and not become waterlogged due to a combination of high sodium, swelling clay and excess water.

Gypsum Improves Water-Use Efficiency Gypsum increases water-use efficiency of crops. In areas and times of drought, this is extremely important. Improved water infiltration rates, improved hydraulic conductivity of soil, better water storage in the soil all lead to deeper rooting and better water-use efficiency. From 25 to 100 percent more water is available in gypsum treated soils than in non-treated soils.

Gypsum as a Fertiliser Gypsum CaSO 4-2H 2 O is a pH neutral source of readily available calcium and sulphur.

Gypsum Multiplies the Value of Other Inputs Gypsum can improve the response to all other inputs including fertilizers.

New Zealand Avocado Highlights New Chairman announced Ashby Whitehead was elected by the Board to the role of NZAGA and AIC Chairman with effect 2 May 2013.

Ashby is a Te Puke grower and has been a NZAGA executive member for seven years. John Schnackenberg, stepped down from the role after five and half years, as part of a planned succession.

End of season roadshows NZ Avocado hosted the end of season roadshows at the end of April in Te Puke, Omokoroa, Far North and Whangarei.

These meetings provided an opportunity for representatives from AGA, AVEC and the local market to report on industry politics, give a business update and report on the performance of the export and New Zealand market. This is the second time we have asked AVEC and local market representatives to participate, a model that we intend continue going forward.

MBIE bid submitted NZ Avocado has jointly developed an R & D programme with Plant and Food Research, to support delivery of the industry vision. The programme focuses on solutions to irregular bearing and low yield, and includes activity led

by NZ Avocado and PFR. To leverage available funding, PFR have submitted four research bids into the Ministry for

Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), one with a pure avocado focus, and three others cross sector bids which include avocados The programme promotes much closer alignment between consultants, scientists and growers to maximise the innovation being trialled across the industry.

resources page select OGR Templates.

We hope all growers will feed back their views on the template, and we welcome suggestions for improvement.

Guidelines for the safe used of elevating work platforms produced A new guide booklet, Best Practice Guidelines: Safe Use of Elevating Work Platforms in the Horticultural Industry, has been developed by MBIE and is now available on the industry websitewww. nzavocado.co.nz/industry > Risk Mngt > Health & Safety Hugh Moore, Ashby Whitehead and Edwina Aitchison contributed to the development of this booklet, along with representatives from other industries.

Pruning trial: Third Autumn prune completed Glenys Parton, Bart Hofstee, contractors and growers completed the third year of Autumn pruning treatments in the pruning trial orchards. Pruning discussion groups were organised to coincide with this activity at some of the trial orchards.

OGR template released to the industry As a result of grower requests for a generic calculation of orchard gate return (and an EMS submission on the topic and subsequent requirement of the EMS), we undertook a process to develop an OGR template. Nici Kennerley, our business manager, managed this process, consulting with a cross-section of growers, packers and exporters. The end result is three OGR templates which are now uploaded to the industry website www.nzavocado.co.nz/industry (log in) > Resources > in dropdown menu on

Horticultural industry communicators meet Midge Munro attended a very constructiveforum on April 15, organised by Plant & Food Research, for communications and technology transfer staff from 16 horticulture industry organisations. Outcomes of the day were that a supportive network has been established where ideas can be shared about best practice for technology transfer, media liaison and industry communications. The group will meet six monthly.

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To book advertising space in the next issue of Avoscene please contact Rose Hodges.

Booking deadline for next issue is July 5th, 2013.

Contact Rose on 07 928 3043 or email rose@thesun.co.nz

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Inside this Issue

name Nadia Lim r as ambassado

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Inside this issue • The Commo dity Levy for avocados • Strategy to improve qualityA • Roadmap to te on NZAG Upda exporte r contrac cts ts Proje Levy Research Commodity successful referendum

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• Pruning: manag

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17

MARKETING THE BEST AVOCADOS IN THE WORLD I Growers’ comment I

Immature f ruit es of f d a r g l ket al ax mar m h s tail e r •F ale, re s e l o h d w Zealan ogrammes r • New t por p o rt and ex R exp r y G O p to ust f the ss the ind o e n o • O w ts acr in ne payou ence i r e p s ex et mark lth of • Wea eveloping and d RODGER BAYLY Export Marketing P +64 7 985 6802 M +64 21 622 577 E rbayly@freshmax.co.nz ANDREW DOUGLAS Export Manager P +64 9 573 8581 M +64 21 760 008 E adouglas@freshmax.co.nz DAVE ALDERTON Technical Support M +64 21 505 814 E dalderton@freshmax.co.nz

KIM FRASER Domestic Manager P +64 9 917 1485 M +64 21 629 816 E kfraser@freshmax.co.nz

www.freshmax.co.nz

18

In a season when fruit is likely to be in short supply, many in the industry are concerned some growers and marketers will be tempted to sell immature avocados to take advantage of higher prices early in the season.

It’s a practice which has occurred in the past but one most growers consider short-sighted and detrimental to the industry as a whole.

“Some growers seem to have the attitude that any avocado you can sell is a good avocado but if they are selling immature fruit, they are not doing the industry any good,” says David Wallace, a Whakatane grower.

The avocado industry has a way to go in educating the New Zealand public and retailers about how to identify a quality, mature piece of fruit, he says.

“All growers and everyone in the industry can help educate people about our fruit, from how to choose a good one in the supermarket or greengrocers to how to use it.”

David is not shy about doing just that. He has spoken to retailers selling immature fruit and explained to a confusedlooking supermarket customer the difference between Hass and Reed avocados.

“That kind of information should have been on display with the fruit to help educate the consumer.”

He’s also happy to give away fruit so people have a good eating experience and will go on to buy avocados on a regular basis. It’s all about taking pride in the industry and looking to its future, David says.

While the industry is doing a good job, especially in markets like Japan, it should not over-look the potential in the New Zealand market, where per capita consumption is still relatively low. While recent seasons have seen low volumes of fruit pushing up local market prices, David believes in future there is likely to be an over-supply.

Tauranga grower Trevor Seal echoes David’s concerns.

“Selling immature fruit is self-defeating in the long term and

By Elaine Fisher Journalist elaine@thesun.co.nz

ruit puts market at risk we need to support each other to protect the local market and not erode its value.”

The domestic market will always receive in the order of 30 to 40 per cent of the national crop and provides a vital part of the income for growers.

“The short term gains of selling immature fruit are not worth it,” Trevor says.

Several other growers, who wanted to remain anonymous, told Avoscene they were also concerned about some orchardists selling immature fruit and the harm that could do to the industry as a whole. Some said while they could understand the temptation to cash in on early season prices, their advice to those considering doing so was “don’t”.

NZ Avocado local market analyst Bevan Jelley says the predicted market conditions for the next few months are for a more limited supply of fruit than seen at this stage in recent seasons.

“This is expected to create high prices, and marketers have identified that this may increase the temptation for growers to harvest and sell their fruit before it has reached an acceptable level of maturity.”

NZ Avocado has industry standards for export fruit maturity, and best practice standards for the local market, he says.

These exist to ensure that optimum value is returned for the sale of avocados, and that the industry is able to continue to grow demand for New Zealand avocados.

“We are working with domestic marketers to ensure New Zealand supermarkets and fruit retailers are aware of the industry standards and the reasons behind them, which are to ensure the consumer has an enjoyable eating experience and feels confident to purchase

more avocados in future. It is important for everyone along the value chain that we get the new season off to a good start and that we don’t risk giving consumers bad avocado experiences before the heavier export driven volumes start to arrive later in the year.”

The maturity level required for export harvest is 24 per cent dry matter and this should also apply to local market fruit, unless the fruit is to be ethylene ripened, when 23 per cent dry matter is acceptable.

Glen Dunseath of Zeafruit says immature early season fruit on the local market is a concern to all stakeholders across the industry.

“If the fruit has not been maturity tested and passed minimum local market benchmarks by an independent agency, it has no right to be in the market.”

He is pleased that NZ Avocado is facilitating more collaboration between the local marketers who will meet regularly, something which has not happened before.

“This is an important initiative as it provides the opportunity for frank and open discussion and early season maturity levels were discussed at the first meeting.

“We all know when the market is receiving immature fruit, however it represents an easy commission sale to those not interested in the long term sustainability of the industry.”

Glen says supermarkets on the whole won’t take immature fruit but there are access points into the market that can be targeted.

“Selling immature fruit and giving consumers a bad experience is not good business for retailers either because in

retail you live by your customers coming back.”

Some orchards are genuinely early (tested and passed) and the domestic market can offer good returns. That is why those growers make the decision to take fruit early, but only with consideration to what fruit will come after that to back it up, so there are no gaps in supply.

The New Zealand domestic market has significant potential to grow, with current consumption at around 1.8kg per person per year compared with 5-6kg in other countries.

“We need to be smarter in the New Zealand market. If we continue to do what we’ve always done we won’t get anywhere in growing local demand,” Glen says.

Trevelyan’s avocado manager Daniel Birnie says growers are concerned about the impacts of immature fruit on the domestic market early in the season.

This is especially true for those who have legitimate early fruit available which has passed maturity tests, as immature fruit on the market at the same time can cause the price to drop.

“We have a handful of growers on offshore islands and coastal areas whose fruit is ready early in the season and that offers them an opportunity to earn prices as good if not better than export.

“My advice to growers considering picking fruit which isn’t ready is don’t do it. Growers who work with an export packhouse facility can have dry matter tests done in-house, which at some packhouses is provided at no charge, and then if their fruit is ready, they can have an independent test done and sell fruit on the local market.”

19

I Avocentric I

By Elaine Fisher Journalist elaine@thesun.co.nz

Acid painting restores orchard health

Please refer to product label for recommended use patterns

A run down, neglected and overgrown piece of land with a house in poor state of repair isn’t the kind of rural property many couples would buy, but 12 years ago Heather and Greg Bayliss did just that.

“We got it cheap and cleaned it up and then asked around for what would be good to grow,” says Greg of the four hectare property at Pukekawa, South Auckland.

Despite the fact there were no other avocado orchards in the immediate vicinity, he took advice that the trees could be a good crop and planted 350 on 2ha at 7.7 x 7.5 spacings.

“They all nearly died because of phytophthora in the clay soil. Because they weren’t big enough to inject, we painted them with phosphorous acid and just got them through.”

Once the trees were bigger, Greg began using injections for disease control but it didn’t work. The trees were in decline and he considered cutting them all out. In a last attempt to save the orchard, Greg went back to trunk painting.

“I used one third acid and two thirds water and Pulse at the label rates and sloshed it on with a four inch brush as far up the trunk and limbs as I could reach.

You don’t have to be too fussy.

“It turned the orchard around. In the first year we did a root test for phosphorous acid and found we had 40 20

parts per million when we had to get to 25 so decided it was working and carried on.

“I did try spraying it on but it just ran off. Painting is a whole lot better and I did all 350 trees in a weekend and the job was done. It took a lot longer than that with the injections.”

The most recent application of phosphorous acid saw 50 litres applied but the trees are bigger now. Greg says there has been only a few leaves showing signs of acid burn and the trees are obviously absorbing the acid through their trunks.

From an orchard in sharp decline Heather and Greg now have one which is healthy and productive. In 2013 the yield was 13 tonnes/ha and this season he’s hoping for 10 tonnes/ha.

The soils are not heavy clay but they hold water, so the orchard was humped and hollowed to assist with drainage.

At 130m above sea level, the orchard is exposed to winds and has been divided into eight sheltered blocks.

“It probably was a bit of over-kill but as the orchard become more established I’ll probably cut some of it out and plant more trees.”

The trees haven’t been allowed to get too high and pruning aims to keep them as close as possible to original spacing, letting plenty of light into the canopy and onto the ground.

“They get a pretty hefty prune each year. I’m reluctant to cut off fruit but I leave some fruiting arms branching straight out and if they don’t produce, they get cut off. I don’t flower prune.”

Two years ago Greg bought a Heat

Dragon and frost fans and he sprays Stress-EX before frost events, all of which he thinks has made a big difference.

The clay soils are high in potassium, so Greg is careful about how much he applies.

“I apply compost in winter to keep the trees going and only use urea that is mixed with humic acid or humates because I’m mindful of making nitrate available to the trees. The biggest use of energy for the trees is to convert nitrate to protein. By mixing urea with humates the plant can easily use it, so it’s a low energy reaction, whereas applying straight nitrate requires four stages for the plant to go through to produce protein.”

Greg has a degree in Horticultural Science and has worked at Unilever’s Plantations and Plant Science Group, Cambridge, UK on oil palm which was the raw material for soap and margarine. He also worked on the company plantation in Thailand and tea plantations in Kenya.

When Greg returned to New Zealand he worked for the Woolworths supermarket chain. Venturing into avocado orcharding hasn’t to date been very lucrative and Greg has another job, helping John Anderson managed 74ha of green kiwifruit in South Auckland and Te Puke.

However, he has no regrets about taking on a rundown property and turning it into what promises to be a sustainable avocado orchard.

“If I’d known then what I know now I might not have done it, but I grew up on a farm and somehow you always get drawn back to the land.”

By Elaine Fisher Journalist elaine@thesun.co.nz

I Market Focus I

South Korea not an easy market South Korea is a market of both opportunity and obstacles for New Zealand avocado exporters.

With a population of nearly 50 million, low unemployment and a growing middle class with a genuine concern for their health and wellbeing, the market has much to offer.

On the negative side, tariffs of 30 per cent, strict phytosanitary requirements for fresh produce, and lack of understanding by importers, retailers and the public about how to handle and use avocado make it a tough market in which to do business.

Martin Napper, representing Avanza, says most of the current avocado consumption is within the Seoul Capital Area, where 50 per cent of the country’s population of 25.6 million is centred, and historically most fruit has been sold in wet markets.

“Some avocados are sold through supermarkets where it is sold in two-piece pre-packs. Distributors are reluctant to ripen fruit in-market as colour on fruit is not understood. Supermarkets request green fruit and if it begins to colour, they sell it at discount price. Therefore the experience for many consumers may not be good.

“The only consumers who appear to know much about avocados are ex-pats returning home from overseas where they

have become familiar with the fruit and know how to ripen and use it. Those who don’t know the avocado probably won’t buy it because it is expensive at $5 to $6 a piece.”

Martin says the maximum volume the total market can take at the moment is rather small, perhaps a few thousand trays per week.

Steve Trickett of Avanza agrees that putting much more into the market per week is a push but with education and investment this will grow.

“After Japan, Korea and Singapore are priority markets for Avanza,” says Steve.

The market is at a similar stage to Japan 15 years ago, when the fruit was largely unknown and volumes imported were small. Importers and retailers didn’t understand how to ripen and handle it.

“Avanza has sent its technical team to Japan to teach the correct ripening methods and the results have been excellent with minimal claims for fruit loss. Other international competitors have also focused heavily on the ripe fruit message and as a consequence in the last couple of years the development of purpose-built ripening facilities has been substantial.

“Consumers are enjoying ready-to eat fruit more regularly and the 10 million trays which went into the Japanese market last season, including large volumes from Mexico, mark a milestone for avocado imports into Japan.”

It is important to find a way to incorporate avocado into the Korean

cuisine as the fruit is largely unknown. A trial selling ready-to-eat fruit through a TV network which promoted recipes was successful, says Martin.

“Most Korean food is cooked but in summer salads, sushi and fruit smoothies are popular. Korean women in particular have a strong focus on weight, beauty and health. As in other Asian markets, we are promoting avocado as good for the inside and the outside, good for nutrition, good for your skin and also as a good first food for babies.

“The Korean market is one with potential but will take time to develop.

Having said that, it may only take a simple trigger to quickly heighten consumption,” says Martin.

“We see a lot of potential in these markets so will work on education for trade and retail,” says Steve.

Andrew Douglas of Freshmax says the 30 per cent tariffs imposed on New Zealand avocados imported into South Korea are an extended challenge to developing the market.

“We have not sold a lot of avocados into South Korea in the last couple of years. The tariffs are something of a road block and it is a market in which we need to balance the achievable returns with bringing new growth markets into play for New Zealand avocados. South Korea also likes very specific sizes.

“For Freshmax, It is a market which is still on our radar, as we sell a lot of other fresh products into South East Asia so have considerable experience in the region.

Miracle on the Han River The Republic of Korea is a small country on the far eastern edge of Asia. Although it ranks 109th in the world in terms of land area, the country is a centre of economic activity, culture, and arts.

Korea was colonised by Japan in the early 20th century and later endured the Korean War (1950-53), but has achieved amazing economic growth in a short period, dubbed ‘the Miracle on the Han River’.

Today, Korea is an industrial nation of importance on the world stage. Its semiconductor, automobile, shipbuilding, steel making, and IT industries are on the leading edge in global markets. It hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup. More recently, Korean dramas, movies, and music are attracting many audiences in Asian countries and beyond, creating what is being called the ‘Korean Wave’. Korea’s new standing in the

international community was highlighted in 2010 with the nation becoming the first Asian country to chair the G20 and host the G20 Seoul Summit.

Its population is 50 million and 25.6 million people live in the Seoul Capital Area which is ranked as the second largest metropolitan area in the world behind Tokyo. It forms the cultural, commercial, financial, industrial, and residential center of South Korea.

The average income in 2010 was US$20,759 and South Korea’s Gross Domestic Product that same year was US$ 1,014 billion.

South Korea is a relatively young country in terms of population, with the median age 38 years. Unemployment in March 2013 was 3.5 per cent, down 0.2 per cent year-on-year and the economically active population is in excess of 25 million.

Life expectancy is good with males expected to live to 77 years and females 83.8 years.

21

New chairman announced

Te Puke orchardist and NZAGA grower rep of seven years, Ashby Whitehead, is the new chairman of NZAGA and Avocado Industry Council Ltd. “I am excited about the excellent opportunities available for avocados from New Zealand but also very aware of the challenges we face as an industry. I look forward to leading the industry through this phase of change and improvement, with the development of new markets in Asia, building the nutritional platform for avocados and strengthening the avocado category in the New Zealand market,” says Ashby.

Ashby replaces John Schnackenberg who stepped down as chairman in May as part of planned succession. John served as chairman since 2007 and will continue as a grower representative on the NZAGA 22

Executive and AIC Ltd Board.

Ashby has been one of the eight grower-elected directors on AIC’s tenmember board since 2006.

He has been a successful avocado grower since 1996. With wife Linda he purchased a run-down apple orchard in Te Puke in 1991, converting to avocados after much tidying up and rehabilitation of the land. In 2000 they acquired the neighboring orchard and planted a further 0.75ha of avocados and 3.5ha of kiwifruit.

Ashby has had a long career in engineering, something which he has recently come back to following the effects of Psa-V. He is very active in the Te Puke avocado and kiwifruit communities and also sits on the AIC Finance committee, the Recognised Product Group, Quality Standards Committee and Local Market Committee “I look forward to addressing the joint New Zealand and Australian avocado growers’ conference in September in

Tauranga in my new role as Chairman.

It will be an excellent opportunity to connect with New Zealand and international avocado growers.”

Ashby takes the chairmanship at a time when there is major activity on the horizon for NZ Avocado.

“We are currently working on a business case for a Primary Growth Partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries and also work closely with Plant & Food Research to submit a bid for avocado research funding from the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment,” says Ashby.

“The crown investment will allow us to significantly accelerate our projects and implement solutions to create a far more profitable and sustainable industry.”

Outgoing chairman John Schnackenberg said Ashby brings a strong grower focus to the chairmanship.

NZAGA Grower Representative Tony Ponder has been elected as the new Vice Chair of the NZAGA. Tony has served on the Board since 2005.

Industry News Registrations open for Nutritional Values conference The 5th Quadrennial New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers Conference is on 9-12 September 2013 at the ASB Arena, Baypark, Tauranga.

Featuring keynote speakers Dr Russell Ballard, Chair of PMAC; Nadia Lim, celebrity MasterChef & nutritionist; and Stephen Toplis, BNZ economist plus representatives from the Hass Avocado Board in the USA, the Californian Avocado Commission and top technical experts from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Register at www.avocadoconference.co.nz There are special rates for members of NZAGA and AIC and Avocados Australia plus early bird rates for those that register before 30 June 2013.

Accommodation in Tauranga can be booked when registering online.

Held only every eight years in New Zealand, this is the industry event not to be missed.

Nominations for NZAGA Executive Committee At the upcoming 2013 NZAGA Annual General Meeting, the term of office will be complete for four of the current NZAGA Grower Representatives.

Listed below are the regions and regional representatives who have completed their term of office – these regions will have a vacancy thus creating the need to elect a representative.

Please see the table on page 25 for details on the terms of office for current NZAGA Grower Representatives

Conference schedule Date

Time

Activity

Monday 9 September

5:30pm - 7:30pm

AVOCOTM Welcome Reception and registration at ASB Baypark Arena and industry exhibition opens

Tuesday 10 September

8:00am

Registration, speaker support centre opens

9:00am - 4:00pm 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Sessions and industry exhibition NZAGA Annual General Meeting Australian avocado growers’ Meeting

Wednesday 11 September 8.00am 9.00am - 4.20pm 4.20pm 7:30pm - 12:00am

Thursday 12 September

Registration, speaker support centre opens Sessions and industry exhibition Conference Close FreshmaxTM conference gala dinner at ASB Baypark Arena

10:00am – 4:00pm Field trip around the Bay of Plenty

Far North: 1 seat vacant and requiring representation Ian Broadhurst: completed 2 of 3 years – standing down Mid North: 1 seat vacant and requiring representation Mike Eagles: resigned 23 April 2013 Note: the nominee elected in the Mid North in 2013 will take office for a 1 year term, following which they may stand to be re-elected in 2014 for 3 years to maintain the rotation set up

in the NZAGA Rules 2010 (see www. nzavocado.co.nz/industry > About - AGA Rules Updated June 2010.pdf ).

At Large: 1 seat vacant and requiring representation Roger Barber: term complete – available for re-election Rest of NZ: 1 seat vacant and requiring representation David French: term complete – available for re-election Continued over page 23

Industry News If only one representative is nominated for a position, they will be automatically elected on to the Executive Committee.

If there is more than one nomination for any of the positions there will be a postal ballot in July.

The Executive Committee is announced as soon as the results are known but does not take office until the close of the 2013 AGM. The nomination criteria are as follows: 1. The nominee must be a member of the AGA by being a holder of a PPIN in the region nominated to represent.

2. Each nomination must be on an official form found at www.nzavocado. co.nz/industry > About > Board > NZAGA Executive Elections. Each nomination requires a nominator who must be a member of the AGA. 3. A candidate can stand for a region or At Large or both Regional and At Large (a separate form would then need to be completed for each). If a nominee is elected for both a region and At Large then the regional takes precedence in accordance with NZAGA Rule 5.8 5.8 A candidate may seek election both as a regional Representative and as a Representative at large, but in the event of being successful in both elections shall be deemed to be elected as a regional Representative only and the consequential vacancy in the members elected at large shall forthwith be filled by the Executive by appointing the next highest polling candidate in that election.

4. Those members interested in becoming a candidate should contact Edwina Aitchison at NZ Avocado for information on the roles and responsibilities of an Executive representative/Director.

5. Once a nominated candidate is confirmed as a representative to the AGA Executive Committee, the

24

candidate is required to complete a confidentiality agreement and become familiar with their roles and responsibilities.

6. On appointment to the executive committee the candidate accepts that they will be appointed a Director of Avocado Industry Council Limited (“AIC”), the 100% owned operating subsidiary of the AGA and bound by the obligations of Director as set out in the Companies Act. 7. Each nomination form must include a short biography on a Microsoft Word document, not exceeding 300 words.

8. In accordance with Section 189 (1) (c) of the Companies Act AIC Ltd has established an interests register. Each nominee must complete a declaration of interests which incorporate: i. Businesses they are involved in with which the AGA or AIC is dealing with. ii. Transactions involving the AGA or AIC. iii. Businesses or transactions which may impact on the AGA or AIC in some way.

9. Each nomination form must be signed by the candidate and received by NZ Avocado by Friday 5 July 2013 Post nominations to: NZ Avocado Growers’ Association Inc. PO Box 13267 Tauranga 3141 Attention: Returning Officer Or fax to: 07 571 6145 Or scan and email to: edwina@nzavocado.co.nz Call for Remits Remits must be submitted by an AGA member and require a signed mover and seconder, who must also be members of the AGA. If there is an issue that is regional it would be preferred if this was developed through your regional

Continued

executive committee representative to avoid duplication.

No remit can be transacted at the AGM other than those that have been circulated to the members in advance.

So that remits can be circulated to members they must be received by NZ Avocado by Friday 26 July 2013.

A form will be supplied via Avoconnect on 4 June and will also be available for downloading off the industry website: www.nzavocado. co.nz/industry > News & Events > Article: Call for remits Please use one form per remit. On this form there is only space for one remit.

If you want to make another remit this will need to be on a new remit form. Please keep your remits brief – if they require further explanation or supporting information please provide this on a separate sheet.

Ensure both the mover and the seconder include their PPIN and sign the bottom of any extra sheets and attach it to the remit form.

If you have questions regarding remits, please contact your local executive committee representative as listed in the contents page of the Avoscene or contact Edwina at NZ Avocado on 07 571 6147 or edwina@nzavocado.co.nz Export Registration 2013-14 Export registration is completed online at https://secure.nzavocado.co.nz/ Those growers who are unable to register online can seek assistance through their packhouse/exporter or can request a paper form to fill in from NZ Avocado which will attract an additional $20 administration fee.

NZAGA AGM To be held 10 September, 4:00pm6:00pm at the ASB Arena, Baypark, Tauranga during the Joint NZ & AU Avocado Growers’ Conference. All NZAGA members welcome.

NZAGA Grower Representative terms of office Director

J uly 2011

J uly 2012

J uly 2013

Far N orth

I an Broadh urst

Term complete – reelected for 3 yrs on ballot

C ompleted 1 yr

C ompleted 2 yrs and standing down

M

M

Term complete reelected for 3 yrs on ballot

C ompleted 1 yr

C ompleted 2 yrs resigned 23 A pril 2013

id N orth

ike Eagles

BO P

A sh by W h iteh ead ( C )

C ompleted 1 yr (2 yrs – decided by lot)

Term complete – reelected for 3 yrs

C ompleted 1 yr

A t L arge

R oger Barber

C ompleted 1 yr (3 yrs – decided by lot)

C ompleted 2 yrs

Term complete

A t L arge

J oh n S ch nackenberg

Term complete reelected for 3 yrs on ballot

C ompleted 1 yr

C ompleted 2 yrs

A t L arge

Tony Ponder ( VC )

Term complete reelected for 3 yrs on ballot

C ompleted 1 yr

C ompleted 2 yrs

A t L arge

J oh n C otterell

N ew R ep (completing K C rockers tenure – complete in 2012)

Term complete – reelected for 3 yrs

C ompleted 1 yr

R est of N Z

Dav id French

C ompleted 1 yr (3 yrs – decided by lot)

C ompleted 2 yrs

Term complete

C all f or R emits I N FO

TO

C O M

E

Export R egistration 2012-13 E x port registration is completed online at https: / / secure.nzavocado.co.nz/ The facility to register for the upcoming season will be available from 20 M ay 2013 with grower ex port registration due 30 J une 2013 for the earlybird price. Those growers who are unable to register online can either seek assistance through their packhouse/ ex porter or can req uest a paper form to fill in from N Z A vocado which will attract an additional $ 20 administration fee.

N ZA GA

A GM

To be held 10 S eptember, 3: 40pm-5: 40pm at the A S B A rena, Baypark, Tauranga during the J oint N Z & A U A vocado G rowers’ C onference. A ll N ZA G A members welcome.

25

Avocado News from Colombian project to send 100 containers of Hass avocados to Europe The Government of Antioquia in Colombia has developed, through its Ministry of Agriculture, a project that seeks to place 100 containers (600 tons) of Hass avocado on the European market, allowing it to consolidate the department’s export process.

To date, the first 10 containers of product have been sent to Holland. It is worth noting that Colombia has 18,774 hectares which represent a 200,000 ton production (6% of world production).

5,500 hectares are for growing the Hass variety, of which half are cultivated in the department of Antioquia because of its adaptability and agro-exporting potential.

This variety represents 60% of the areas sown in the department, followed by Antilleans Creole avocados with 23% of the area and cold climate grafts with 17% of the cultivated area.

Apart from this experience, many others will be socialized in the next Colombian Avocado Technical Tour 2013, an event co-organized by Tecnogiras and Expoagrofuturo, in direct collaboration with the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (Corpoinca). The event will be held from May 20 to May 26 in Medellin (Antioquia’s capital) and the assistants will get to know the production, exporting and alternative business processes being developed, as well as form part of business conferences and see presentations of investment projects.

The event is aimed at entrepreneurs, professionals, technicians and investors who are interested in entering or expanding their horizons in the world of avocado.

Source: http://www.freshplaza.com/news_ detail.asp?id=108490#SlideFrame_1 26

Avocados from Mexico maintain momentum through Cinco De Mayo & into summer with robust volume Los Angeles, CA – Building on the momentum of its strong spring campaign launch, Avocados from Mexico has increased projected volume estimates for Cinco de Mayo and into early summer to support growing market demand. According to industry data, total avocado consumption in the U.S. reached a record 1.5 billion pounds in 2012 and is expected to further increase in 2013. The projected volume increase of 12% from Avocados from Mexico for the April – June 2013 time period will enable retailers and foodservice operators to continue to actively promote the fruit and drive growth.

“Avocados from Mexico has been fuelling strong, steady demand with promotable volumes of quality fruit and powerful marketing initiatives,” said Eduardo Serena, APEAM marketing director. “As the category leader, we are committed to providing the market with consistent, reliable volume to grow on.”

The Avocados from Mexico marketing programs are continuing to drive demand and increase purchase frequency through a robust advertising campaign that resumed April 22nd and continues through Cinco de Mayo.

The spring campaign kicked off with a Breakfast initiative that generated record levels of consumer engagement with online and mobile advertising and over 65,000 sweepstakes entries, the highest number received by the brand to date.

Avocados from Mexico is now gearing up for the popular Cinco de Mayo holiday, the second largest consumption day of the year for avocados.

Spicing Things Up for Cinco de Mayo Thousands of stores are expected to feature secondary displays, POS materials and promotional offers for Avocados from Mexico in support of Cinco de Mayo.

Special emphasis is being placed on the Hispanic Market with a retail program featuring the highly popular Chef Pepin in merchandising materials and in-store giveaways. The program is also supported by radio DJ endorsements in key markets and live radio remotes at select retail locations.

Make BBQs Better with Chef Rick Bayless and Avocados from Mexico Support will remain strong through the summer with a special partnership starting in June with acclaimed Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless. The “Make BBQ Better” promotion will include signature grilling recipes from Chef Bayless, advertising on his popular television program, “Mexico: One Plate at a Time,” POS support, a national consumer sweepstakes with themed prizes, extensive media outreach and social media engagement. Retailers can expect more updates on this exciting program soon.

Source: http://www.perishablenews.com/ index.php?article=0028761 AU: Avocado growers must work together Overall things are looking good for the Australian avocado industry at the moment, though there are a few challenges to be overcome.

Jennie Franceschi, Managing Director of the Avocado Export Company, says that Western Australian is in an “off season”, the bi-annual part of the cycle that sees less fruit produced, but the East Coast should, theoretically produce a good crop.

However, she points out also that recent

the world bad weather means the situation needs to be re-evaluated. General Manager of Sunfresh Marketing Co-op, Judy Prosser, agrees.

“Volumes out of North Queensland have been up on last year and there has been controlled picking to ensure there was no glut on the market floors. The crop out of Bundaberg has been down from what was forecast because of the flooding and cyclonic conditions at the end of January. The Hass season on the Eastern seaboard is looking lighter than last year, the rain having had a dramatic quantity effect on quantity to be harvested this season.”

Both Jennie and Judy say that exports are going well right now. Judy says that the export markets were initially slow to take up the Shepard variety, due to Western Australian Hass being in the market longer than expected. However, now this has been cleared Shepard is doing well, as Jennie says: “Booming!

Moving lots of fruit...surprised at the volume actually. So - looking good!”

“There is a little competition (in export markets),” Jennie says, “with USA and Spanish Hass for one, but once we are into good volumes and quality I think we will be fine.”

Judy is also confident that Australian avocados can cope with the competition.

“Australian produce always commands repeat sales because of quality.”

The domestic market is also performing well, seeing a rise on previous year’s showing the benefits of considerable industrial investment over the years.

Also, with the Western Australian Hass season being extended, consumers have been able to get Australian product right the way through to the Shepard season starting.

With markets, both home and overseas performing well, the only worry, especially with the after effects of the

weather to contend with and New Zealand also being in an “ off season,” is that there may not be enough Hass around this year to meet demand.

Judy says however, that the industry can deal with this by pulling together.

“Growers must continue to work together to manage a good flow onto market floors and into chain stores.”

Source http://www.freshplaza.com/news_ detail.asp?id=108427#SlideFrame_1 Chile’s avocado industry worried about virus from Peru “The problem isn’t the Peruvian avocado. Sunblotch is the problem,” says Adolfo Ochagavía, Chairman of the Committee of Hass avocados from Chile, regarding the draft protocol for the entry of Peruvian Hass avocado into the country.

Ochagavía said that what worried the industry is the possible entry of this virus, one that isn’t present in Chile, and that has not been considered by the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) within the phytosanitary control measures to import the fruit.

“I would say that we are one of the few countries that aren’t affected by the sunblotch. Other countries that don’t have it include New Zealand and some parts of Australia.”

Ochagavia explained that they are in talks with the SAG to give them more background information about this virus so that they will include it within the Protocol.

“That’s the main issue. The sunblotch can be dispersed in our industry and cause significant damage. An infected tree has a 30-50% decrease in production.”

From the SAG’s viewpoint the risk of this virus spreading into commercial plantations is very low, less than 2%, but Ochagavía pointed out that the industry

has a different view.

“I think that when two entities, in this case the avocado industry and the SAG, have different perceptions it’s good that they get together and reach a consensus,” said Ochagavía. “Their risk assessment is different from ours. We have a difference of opinion but we have agreed to get together and talk about it,” he added.

The Chairman of the Committee of Hass avocados from Chile said that they are in contact with industries from other countries, which have provided them more information in this regard.

“If they have orchards that are free of sunblotch, they can bring all of their avocado to Chile. We are pro-trade, because Chile along with others has done the same in the United States, where the market grew thanks to Mexico, Chile and Peru entering it.”

The entry of Peruvian avocado to Chile would complement the local supply. In the words of Ochagavía, “this is good for the development of the market.”

“We are convinced that the only thing that a greater supply from other sources will do is to make the market grow. We have experienced that as active participants in the US, so it would be very difficult for us to block avocado in circumstances that, at the end of the day, would have Chileans eating 7 kilos instead of 5 and a half.”

“We hope this is solved soon.”

Chile currently imports avocado from Argentina, fruit that is subject to a System Approach.

Fruit is also imported from Peru under a protocol that includes a quarantine treatment oriented towards the fruit fly.

Last year 700 tons entered the country, of which 45% remained in the North of the country and the rest went to the Central region.

Source: http://www.freshplaza.com/news_ detail.asp?id=108272#SlideFrame_1 27

Reed trial

Figure 1. SSB near the stalk of some fruit.

Figure 2. and store

Figure 4. Reed fruit at harvest, when removed from storage (28d) and 1, 2,

28

update

By Alvaro Vidiella NZ Avocado Scientist alvaro.vidella@nzavocado.co.nz

Following the 2011-12 trial to determine the storage potential of Reed, a limited trial was implemented in 2012-13 to further verify the findings.

for 28 days; 100 fruit at 3°C and 100 at The largest percentage of sound fruit 5°C. Another harvest was intended for was observed in the fruit harvested January 20, but there was no fruit left December 20 and stored at 3°C (Figure on the trees because of the small crop.

3).

As in the previous trial, the storage The smallest incidence of SCD was quality of Reed fruit was lower than on the fruit harvested in December and that expected from Hass fruit harvested stored at 3°C (Table 1). The smallest and stored in similar conditions. incidence of SSB was in the fruit Figure 2. S C D in fruit harvested in December and stored 28 Once more, the main defects observed harvested in November. during the assessments were severe These results are similar to those Please refer to the Reed storage evaluation skin blackening during ripening (SSB) obtained from fruit with similarfruit drywas observed in the The largest percentage of sound article published in Avoscene spring 2012 and stone cavity discolouration (SCD) matter content 3° C (Figure 3). as trialled in 2011-12. pp 50-52 for details of the 2012-12 trial. described in the article mentioned The main disorders have been the same above. Other disorders like brown and the percentages of incidence have The 2012-13 trial repeated some of patches, stem end rots, vascular followed similar trends related to the Percentage the combinations of harvest time and browning and diffuse flesh were maturity of the fruit and toofthesound storage f ruit 70 storage temperatures that performed also observed but in a much lower temperature.

60 results of the trials to date indicate better in the season 2011-12. Two proportion. As in the previous analysis, The hundred fruit were harvested from one a fruit was considered to be sound that there is a large influence of origin of 50 orchard in Bay of Plenty on November when it had less than 5% external the fruit on its quality. It has a relatively 19 (21.15% dry matter) and on rots, 5% SSB, 5% stem end rot, 20% short 40 harvest window for quality and 3° C 2. S C D In in fruitvascular harvested in December stored 28 days at 5° be C stored at 3°C with relatively good December 20 (25.36 % Figure dry matter). browning, 5% and brown patches, can 5° C 30 both harvest dates, the fruit was stored and 10% SCD. results.

SCD in fruit harvested in December ed 28 days at 5°C

, 3 and 4 days after ripening.

20 The largest percentage of sound fruit was observed in the fruit harvested December 20 and stored at 3° C (Figure 3).

10

0 70

Percentage of sound f ruit

19/ 11/ 2012

20/ 12/ 2012

Figure 3. P ercentage of sound R eed fruit harvested in N ovember and De

60

The smallest incidence of S C D was on the fruit harvested The smallest incidence of S S B was in the fruit harvested in

50 40

3° C

30

5° C

Table 1. Incidence of S tone C avity Decolouration (S C D) and S evere S kin

20

19/ 11/ 2012 20/ 12/ 2012

10 0 19/ 11/ 2012

20/ 12/ 2012

Figure 3. Percentage of sound Reed fruit harvested in November and December and stored at 3 and 5°C.

3° S C D 62% 8%

C S S B 30% 25%

5° S C D 51% 21%

C S S B 11% 55%

These results are similar to those obtained from fruit wit Table 1. Incidence of Stone Cavity Decolouration have been the same and th (SCD) and Severe Skin Blackening (SSB). similar trends related to the maturity of the fruit and to th

Figure 3. P ercentage of sound R eed fruit harvested in N ovember and December 2011-12. and storedThe at 3 main and 5° C disorders .

The smallest incidence of S C D was on the fruit harvested in December and stored at 3° C (Table 1).

The smallest incidence of S S B was in the fruit harvested in N ovember.

Table 1. Incidence of S tone C avity Decolouration (S C D) and S evere S kin Blackening (S S B).

19/ 11/ 2012 20/ 12/ 2012

3° C S C D S S B 62% 30% 8% 25%

5° C S C D S S B 51% 11% 21% 55%

These results are similar to those obtained from fruit with similar dry matter content as trialled in 2011-12. The main disorders have been the same and the percentages of incidence have followed similar trends related to the maturity of the fruit and to the storage temperature.

29

Pollination of avocado: the importance of pollenise The Pollination and Apiculture Team at Plant & Food Research are involved in a wider research project to understand and reduce irregular bearing in avocado.

Our research has identified that improved pollination may help to increase yields in low flowering years, although this is just one part of the complex issue of irregular bearing. In the spring 2012 issue of Avoscene last year, we reported on work carried out to understand the potential causes of sub-optimal pollination in avocado. Here we present our results from 2012 that further explain why pollination can be a limiting factor in avocado production, along with a report of the success of our trial of bumblebee nest boxes (domiciles) in avocado orchards.

Earlier work on avocado pollination by our team established that flowers pollinated by hand showed a fruit set rate of 5%, which is a large increase over the standard 0.2- 0.3% fruit set rate in avocado1. These hand pollinations were conducted on just a few flowers per tree, and it is highly unlikely a whole tree could sustain a 5% fruit set rate. However, this does suggest that pollination might be a limiting factor in avocado fruit production. Our subsequent research certainly appeared to support this; over three years now we have consistently found that almost all female Hass flowers and the honey bees visiting them carry very few pollen grains.

Avocado trees exhibit a very unusual flowering behaviour, with each flower initially opening as a female, then closing and subsequently opening again as a male. To complicate matters further, some cultivars tend to be female in the morning and male in the afternoon, while other cultivars show the opposite pattern. Because all the trees within a cultivar tend to be in sync with one another, polleniser cultivars (such as Bacon, Fuerte and Zutano) are needed to ensure an adequate supply of pollen is available while the Hass flowers are open as females.

One of our aims in 2012 was to assess whether there was a difference in the pollen load carried by honey bees and other pollinators that were caught on Hass versus polleniser flowers. Our hypothesis 30

ers and pollinators is that although pollen may be available on the polleniser flowers while Hass flowers are in their female stage, honey bee behaviour may limit pollination because individual bees will tend to visit the flowers of only one cultivar.

We predicted that there would be a significant difference in the amount of pollen carried by honey bees caught on male polleniser and female Hass flowers.

More importantly, we predicted that other pollinator species, such as flies and bumblebees, would not exhibit this same difference in pollen loads, indicating greater movement between male and female flowers.

We caught honey bees, bumblebees and flies on male polleniser and female Hass flowers that were open at the same time.

We also collected the Hass flowers that had been visited by the insects we caught.

Our sample of honey bees collected on female Hass flowers carried many more pollen grains than we had previously found in 2010 and 2011 (Figure 1). This demonstrates that in the right conditions, honey bees that visit female Hass flowers may be carrying large pollen loads.

However, there were still ten times more pollen grains on honey bees caught on polleniser flowers than on Hass flowers (Figure 2). Flies (predominantly Brown blowflies) showed a similar pattern, with overall pollen loads lower than with honey bees, thus contradicting our hypothesis that flies wouldn’t show a similar pattern to honey bees (Figure 2).

However, there was no difference in the amount of pollen found on bumblebees visiting Hass and polleniser flowers (Figure 2). Although the sample size was small for bumblebees, the highest pollen load on a bumblebee visiting a female Hass flower was twice that of the highest load found on a honey bee visiting Hass.

This result matches our expectation that bumblebees would not exhibit the same difference in pollen loads that we’ve found with honey bees, and supports an Israeli study that demonstrated that

bumblebees were more efficient at crosspollination than honey bees.

When we looked at the female-stage Hass flowers that had been visited by the insects we caught, we found that over 90% had no pollen grains deposited, and the maximum number of pollen grains found on a stigma was two. So despite the higher number of pollen grains carried by honey bees than in previous years, there was still very little pollen deposition occurring.

Activity Pollenisers are planted specifically so that pollinators will transport pollen from male polleniser flowers to the female Hass flower, so it is important that we know which pollinators best achieve this cross-pollination. However, this depends on the reliability of the overlap between male polleniser and female Hass flower stages. The pollen load study above was specifically targeted at days and times when we knew there would be good overlap, based on our previous study of the effects of temperature on Hass flower cycles. In our last Avoscene article, we reported that we had found a strong correlation between the previous night’s minimum temperature and the opening time of Hass female flowers, as noted in other overseas studies. After colder nights, female Hass flowers in New Zealand often opened in the late afternoon and stayed open all night long. The implication of this is that ‘self ’ pollination with Hass pollen could occur at night (depending on flower viability) or in the late afternoon, and thus not during the normal activity period of honey bees. This year, our aim was to establish the relationship between temperature and polleniser flower sequences (focusing on Zutano and Etinger). As in 2011, we set up a series of cameras that took photographs of flowers every five minutes. This provided us with detailed insights into the flowering sequence of polleniser cultivars,

By David Pattemore, Mark Goodwin, Heather McBrydie, and Warren Yorston of The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited

which could then be related to weather recordings collected from the orchards at the same time.

We found that pollenisers exhibited similar responses to temperature as seen with Hass. Of most interest was the point in time at which the pollen became available on polleniser flowers, which we could then compare with the timing of the opening of female flowers on Hass. At overnight minimum temperatures between 11 and 14°C, the availability of polleniser pollen largely matched the period during which Hass female flowers were open (Figure 3A).

When temperatures dropped to 9-11°C overnight, the whole flowering sequence was delayed, and as a consequence, male polleniser flowers were open at dusk and often remained open well into the next day, with pollen often not being released until the next morning (Figure 3B). Because of the wide time of pollen availability, there appears to be good overlap with female Hass flowering during this period. However, the lack of synchrony between flowers means that the overall amount of pollen available in the orchard during this time is likely to be low. At overnight temperatures of 6-9°C, overlap was minimal, suggesting that colder temperatures may result in poor opportunity for cross-pollination (Figure 3C).

In conclusion In conclusion, cold overnight temperatures are likely to result in higher self-pollination rates, provided the flowers are viable and there are effective pollinators available to move pollen in the late afternoons or even at night. Cross-pollination is most likely to occur after the warmest nights, when there is good overlap between male-stage polleniser and female-stage Hass flowers.

However, cross-pollination requires a pollinator that effectively moves pollen between the cultivars. While the honey bees we caught in 2012 were carrying 31

Pollination of avocado: the importance of pollenisers and more pollen than we’ve found in previous years, the difference in the amount of pollen found on bees visiting different cultivars demonstrates that honey bee behaviour probably limits cross-pollination. In contrast, bumblebees appear to have more potential to cross-pollinate effectively.

This research highlights the importance of understanding how cross-pollination may benefit avocado yields and quality. A priority for our future research will be to establish whether cross-pollinated fruit have any advantage over self-pollinated fruit especially in terms of growth and retention until harvest. We also need to continue to investigate the mystery of the very low rates of pollen deposition. In a species like avocado where only a very small fraction of flowers set fruit, we need to sample many flowers to properly characterize pollination.

We believe increasing the numbers of bumblebees on orchards would also benefit pollination because of their greater pollination efficiency (larger bodies depositing more pollen) and the broader range of temperatures in which they are active. With the support of the Avocado Growers’ Association (AGA), we were able to conduct an initial trial into the

use of artificial nest sites (domiciles) to encourage the establishment of bumblebee colonies in avocado orchards. Our long-term aim is to create a domicile that is attractive to new queen bumblebees when they are searching for nest sites in spring.

This nest establishment is part of the bumblebee’s annual cycle, as they do not maintain colonies over winter as honey bees do. Our 2012 trial was the first year of a multi-year programme to develop bumblebee management techniques. We hope to secure government funding to continue this programme, with the support of the AGA and other industry bodies (including Zespri Group Ltd, the Foundation for Arable Research, and Summerfruit NZ).

We established a total of 232 domiciles, including five sites of 32 domiciles each in Bay of Plenty avocado orchards. Overall, 32.6% of the domiciles were occupied by bumblebees (Figure 4). Of these occupied domiciles, 34 developed into active colonies. We have been able to identify some important characteristics of nest sites that appear to affect their success rate. For example, domiciles set into banks are twice as likely overall to result in a successful bumblebee colony than those established on flat

Figure 1. In and 2011, both in both New Zealand Australia, majority of Figure 1.2010 In 2010 and 2011, in Newand Zealand andthe Australia, thehoney majority

of honey visitingHass female-stage Hass were avocado flowers bees caught bees whilecaught visitingwhile female-stage avocado flowers carrying fewerwere than

fewerInthan 20 pollen In contrast, 2012 thecarrying majority ofthan honey 20carrying pollen grains. contrast, in 2012grains. the majority of honeyinbees were more bees were carrying more than 1000 pollen grains.

32

1000 pollen grains.

d pollinators

Continued

ground. As in previous studies in New Zealand, we found that the rarer longtongued bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus) was the most common occupant of the domiciles. We had 27 colonies of the long-tongued bumblebee, compared with just seven colonies of the short-tongued bumblebee (B. terrestris). By conducting intensive population sampling at one site, we found that approximately 50% of the long-tongued queens that were found searching for nests at the site eventually established colonies in our domiciles.

In contrast, fewer than 0.3% of nestsearching short-tongued queens did so. Our design seems to be a very good

design for long-tongued bumblebees, and we hope to see if we can replicate these results in other regions. The shorttongued bumblebee remains a bigger challenge, and our aim is to study the behaviour of nest-site searching queens to determine the criteria they use for selecting nest sites. We can then modify our domicile designs and see whether this improves success rates. We will run this trial on the same group of domiciles this year, to assess whether success improves in the second year.

We’d like especially to thank Steve Noble, John & Cindy Cotterell, Wayne Reed, Sue, and the late Phil, Withy,

David & Anna Haycock, David & Julie Flett, Robin Hancock & Maxine Graham, and Robert Lichtwark, who allowed us to conduct our studies on their orchards and provided assistance with monitoring bumblebee nest sites.

Funding was provided by Plant & Food Research and the Avocado Growers Association, and Pollen Plus assisted with monitoring of bumblebee domiciles.

References: [1] Evans L, Goodwin R, McBrydie H 2010. Factors affecting Hass avocado (Persea americana) fruit set in New Zealand. New Zealand Plant Protection 63: 214-218.

Figurebees 2. Honey bees and on fliesmale-stage caught onpolleniser male-stage Figure 2. Honey and flies caught avocado flowersFigure were 4. Percent of domiciles occupied (black and grey bars) Percent of domiciles occupied (black andcolonies grey bars) by bumblebees bumblebees and resulting in active (light grey bars) and polleniser avocado flowers were carrying significantly moreFigure 4.by carrying significantly caught on female-stage Hass flowers. at seven sites in 2012.

Numbers in parentheses are the numberin of pollen grainsmore thanpollen thosegrains caughtthan on those female-stage Hass flowers. resulting in active colonies (light grey bars) at seven sites in 2012. Numbers

intact domiciles included in the study. was no difference in the of pollen There wasThere no difference in the numbers of numbers pollen grains carriedgrains by bumblebees onare Hass parentheses the number of intact domiciles included in the study. carried by bumblebees on Hass versus polleniser flowers.

versus polleniser flowers.

14 -

11 - 9°C

= Hass female

9 - 6°C

= Zutano Pollen Available

Figure 3. Representation of the opening period of female-stage Hass (green) and male-stage ‘Zutano’ avocado flowers with pollen available (orange) over a 24-hour period. Grey represents night time, and yellow represents day time. A: Opening periods of flowers following overnight minimum temperatures between 11 and 14°C. B: Opening periods of flowers following overnight minimum temperatures between 9 and 11°C. C: Opening periods of flowers following overnight minimum temperatures between 6 and 9°C.

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Make the switch to Aerocool With the highest return per tray in New Zealand for the past 3 years, it makes sense for avocado growers to switch to Aerocool.

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By Henry Pak NZ Avocado technical manager hpak@nzavocado.co.nz

Crop estimation: getting it right Getting the crop estimate right is of tremendous importance to the whole industry. Markets do not respond well to unanticipated events and an accurate crop estimate ensures there are no nasty surprises in terms of market reaction.

As an industry we didn’t estimate our crop volume well at all, with initial estimates in March 2012 of 2.1m export trays, and a final actual export volume of only 1.2m trays.

Exporters need to know what volume of fruit they are going to have so they can negotiate supply agreements with their customers. Based on the crop estimate, exporters agree a flow plan on the volumes of fruit delivered to the key markets by week. An orderly flow of fruit into these markets maximises the values obtained for that fruit, as well as allowing the support of promotional activity.

An overestimate can result in too much fruit being sent to market too early and growers potentially losing out on a missed opportunity from late season supply. An underestimate can result in oversupply of the market and depressed prices. Getting the estimate right provides exporters with the best opportunity to extract maximum

return to growers.

The budget for NZ Avocado is set based on the initial crop estimate in March, and as the majority of income is volume based, an inaccurate crop estimate makes an inaccurate budget, and therefore not a good measure for actual performance.

Estimating the crop at an industry level is not a perfect process, but the accuracy of the overall crop estimate entirely hinges on the individual PPIN estimates that it comprises. So it all comes down to each grower doing the best they can to get their estimate right. There are several techniques that individuals use for crop estimation, though experience is the best teacher. If you are having difficulties getting it right then seek help from your packer or exporter.

But, even if you are getting your packer or exporter to estimate for you, please do make sure you understand how they are estimating your crop, and test it through the eyar for accuracy. We need everyone to be working on getting the estimate much more accurate than we had last season. A good place to start is by reviewing how well your previous estimates have been relative to your actual crop. Do you tend to over-estimate, under-estimate or are your estimates all over the place? Graphing the estimate against actuals can also help pinpoint specific problems; for example, you may underestimate light crops but overestimate heavy crops.

Next take a look in your orchard.

Depending upon the time of year, the

height of your trees and the size of your fruit, the crop may be very hard to see.

This is especially true in a year such as this with a late fruit set and heavy flush potentially concealing the fruit until it is heavy enough to hang down below the leaves. Going back and looking at your crop at different growth stages may give you a better feel for what is there, bearing in mind that you can’t see all the fruit at the top of the trees from the ground.

Another way of approaching it is to look at your trees and make a judgement as to how the crop compares with previous seasons. If you think that overall your crop looks like 50% more fruit than last year, and you already know how many trays that was, this gives you another tool with which to test your estimate. This method can work very well if you have a good memory, but doesn’t work so well when you have set your largest crop ever, as you have no reference point for it.

The crop estimation section in the Avocado Growers’ Manual outlines one technique in detail. Ask around to see if growers you know have a simpler method – especially if they are getting their estimates right!

Needless to say getting your estimate right ultimately increases the return on your crop, so it’s worth taking the time to get it as accurate as you can.

The Crop Estimation chapter of the Avocado Growers’ Manual can be accessed by industry members at www.nzavocado.co.nz/industry > Orchard Mngt > Crop Estimation 35

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By Glenys Parton NZ Avocado Manager - Projects glenys.parton@nzavocado.co.nz

Regional maturity monitoring programme Regional maturity monitoring by NZ Avocado has commenced for the 2013-14 season. The programme monitors the dry matter accumulation as an indicator of maturity in the three major avocado growing regions of New Zealand. The information gathered is used to determine the earliest possible time harvest maturity will be reached.

Regional maturity monitoring results are updated monthly fortnightly in the early part of the season, on the industry website www.nzavocado.co.nz/industry > Crop & Market > Regional Maturity Monitoring The programme was recently reviewed to streamline the process and ensure the industry is provided with useful information. As a result of the feedback, monitoring on a fortnightly basis in the early part of the season has been reintroduced.

Below is an explanation of why we have this programme in place and the process we undertake to develop and deliver the results.

Background to regional maturity monitoring In the New Zealand market, avocado value is primarily driven by supply and demand. In the early part of the season, fruit is often of high value due to the limited supply of mature avocados. These high values generate a keenness by growers to supply fruit. The quality, volume and price of fruit in the early part of the season often sets the tone for values for the remainder of a season. All stakeholders need to respect the need for discipline around quality and quantity to ensure a good season start.

The industry export maturity standard and local market best practice is for avocados to reach 24% dry matter before being harvested, or 23% if being ethylene ripened for the New Zealand domestic market. These standards exist to ensure that optimum value is returned for the sale of avocados, and that the industry is able to continue to grow demand for New Zealand avocados poor consumer avocado experiences caused by immature fruit result in a reduction in repeat purchases, which can quickly reduce avocado turnover and be severely detrimental to the value returned to growers.

NZ Avocado implemented a maturity monitoring programme in 2001 to provide industry stakeholders with an indication as to when acceptable maturity is likely to be reached in each of the three growing regions and thus determine the likely time of the earliest commercial supply of fruit.

Process Two key factors that influence early season maturity are tree age and microclimate. Selection of orchards for regional maturity monitoring is dependent on tree age, representation of the area in the region and either known to be traditionally an early maturing orchard or likely to be an early maturing orchard. The orchard has to be carrying a crop that enables sampling through to October. There are currently six orchards in the Bay of Plenty that are involved in this programme, five in Whangarei and four in the Far North.

A sample of one fruit from each of 20 trees at each orchard is taken. This fruit is delivered to the NZ Avocado laboratory within 24 hours of picking.

The core method is used to sample a section of the fruit which is then weighed, dehydrated and weighed again to determine the percentage of dry matter.

The monitoring of the rise in the dry matter (as an indicator of maturity) is carried out from May until October. The resulting information of the dry matter trends of the current season against previous years’ data enables a projection as to the earliest time fruit may be expected to be mature across the regions.

If you have any questions about regional maturity monitoring, please contact Glenys Parton, Manager Projects on 0800 286 2236 or email glenys. parton@nzavocado.co.nz

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New cultivar trial Figure 1. A verage fruit weight in g/ fruit.

5.0

K g/ tree M angaw h ai trial

4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.05.0

K g/ tree M angaw h ai trial

1.54.5 1.04.0

32.0

0.53.5 0.03.0

30.0

2.5 28.0 Bounty 26.0

Duke 7

the different rootstocks harvested in 2012 in

1.0Fruit siz e 2.3Mangawhai.

Error bars represent standard error. n

Dusa

=0.5 32 and and Duke 34(Figure for Dusa 40 relatively for small but close to Fruit wasfor largerBounty in the Bounty Dusa7,trees 7) withand fruit size theZutano. region’ s average size for this season.

0.0

20.0 1/ 09/ 2012

Y ield

Dusa

150region’ s average size for this season.Formatted: Indent: Left: the

0 cm, Hanging: 1.02 cm, No bullets or numbering

The trees were harvested in mid-A ugust 2012 immediately after the 100 fruit reached the adeq uate maturity. The yield of each tree was measured by weighing each individual fruit. The average yield per tree was higher in the Bounty trees (Figure 6), though the difference with Duke 7 and Dusa is not Yield 50250 statistically significant just be due chance), but consistent with the fruit counts done The trees were(may harvested in tomid-August recorded earlier that yearin 2012. The yield of these trees is nevertheless low considering that they 193 2012 immediately after the fruit reached 185 are in their third year, most likely due to the very difficult situation in 0200 which they were placed in the 173 first years. thetwoadequate maturity. The yield of each Bounty Dusa Duke 7 Zutano

A v erage Fruit W eigh t

163 32 count 162-183 g

28 count 184-207 g

U tree nfortunately, as many of the in the region, these trees have no150 fruit on them for the 2013-14 was measured bytrees weighing each season. individual fruit. The average yield per tree 2.4 Tree h ealth

was higher in the Bounty trees (Figure 2), though the difference with Duke 7 and Dusa is not statistically significant (may be due to chance). The yield of these trees is low considering that they are in their third year, most likely due to the very difficult situation in which they were placed in the first two years.

Zutano

32 count 162-183 g

will be needed to confirm this trend.

Figure 1. Dry matter content.

Duke 7

v erage Fruit W eigh t Fruit A size Figure 2. Y ield in kg per tree of Hass grafted onto the different rootstocks harvested i 250 Fruitstandard was larger inforthe Bounty and represent error. n = 32 Bounty and Duke 7, 34 forDusa Dusa and 40 for Zutano. trees (Figure 3) with fruit size relatively 193 185 200 Fruit 2.3 small butsiz eclose to the 173 region’s average size 163 Fruit was larger in the Bounty and Dusa trees (Figure 7) with fruit size r for this season.

g/ f ruit

22.0

2.2

Zutano

2.02. Y ield in kg per tree of Hass grafted onto the different rootstocks harvested in 2012 in M angawhai. E rror bars Figure Figure 2. Yield in kg per tree of Hass grafted onto represent 1.5 standard error. n = 32 for Bounty and Duke 7, 34 for Dusa and 40 for Zutano.

Bounty

1/ 08/ 2012

Dusa

Duke 7 Zutano

24.0

Bounty

28 count 184-207 g

Mangawhai trial characteristics: The new cultivar trial is located in a commercial orchard in Mangawhai on a block with heavy soil and prone to waterlogging.

The trial trees were planted in 2009 on a replant situation where 30 year old trees with advance decline symptoms had been pulled out.

Hass trees were used in the trial and were grafted on the following rootstock pattern: • 70 trees on Zutano; the most utilised seedling rootstock in NZ. • 36 trees on Duke 7; clonal rootstock obtained in California more than 30 years ago. Duke 7 was considered the standard clonal rootstock for phytophthora tolerance during the ’80s and ’90s.

• 36 trees on Dusa; clonal rootstock obtained in South Africa. Dusa has become the standard clonal rootstock for phytophthora tolerance since the early 2000s.

• 34 trees on Bounty; clonal rootstock obtained in South Africa. Has shown tolerance to phytophthora similar to Dusa and higher tolerance to water logging conditions overseas.

2012-2013 results Maturity Twenty fruit were harvested from each cultivar on August 15 and September 12, 2012 to be processed with the standard procedure for maturity testing. Maturity of Haas on Bounty was higher in both sampling dates (Figure 1). Further work

g/ f ruit

In the winter 2012 issue of Avoscene we presented the first yield results of the new cultivar trial. Below is an update of findings we have analysed since publishing the initial results.

100 wass were assessed in February 2013. A ll surviving Bounty trees were rated as ex cellent Tree health (in line with results from as happened in 2012) (Table 1). The health of most of the Zutano, Duke 7 50trees that were either good or very good in 2012 have improved to very good or ex cellent and Dusa in 2013. M ost of the Zutano trees that were either poor or very poor in 2012 died in the past year.

0 in health of the surviving trees could be due to several causes, the dry long warm The increase 7 anyZutano summer we haveBounty just ex perienced,Dusa the trees areDuke not bearing fruit, the management of the block has changed, and the trees have been sprayed every 45 to 60 days with phosphorous acid.

Figure 3. Average fruit weight in g/fruit.

2.4

Tree h ealth

Tree health wass were assessed in February 2013. A ll surviving Bounty tr (in line with results from as happened in 2012) (Table 1). The health of m and Dusa trees that were either good or very good in 2012 have improve in 2013. M ost of the Zutano trees that were either poor or very poor in 20

The increase in health of the surviving trees could be due to several summer we have just ex perienced, the trees are not bearing any fruit, th has changed, and the trees have been sprayed every 45 to 60 days with p 38

By Alvaro Vidiella NZ Avocado Scientist alvaro.vidella@nzavocado.co.nz

By Bart Hofstee NZ Avocado Research Technician Table 1. Tree health, percentage of trees in each health category in 2012 and 2013. bhofstee@nzavocado.co.nz

update

Bounty Dusa Duke 7 Zutano 2.5

Very poor Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Poor Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 3 0 6 4 34

Good Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 14 6 44 6 16

Poor Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 3 0 6 4 34

Good Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 14 6 44 6 16

Very good Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 8 22 22 33 7 10

Excelle Feb12 97 61 14 4

Trunk diameter

Very good Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 8 22 22 33 7 10

Excellent Feb- Feb12 13 97 97 92 61 64 14 21 4

Trunk diameter mm 90 80 70 60 50 40

2.5 Trunk diameter Tree health Trunk diameter Tree health assessed February The trunkwas diameter data in of February 2013 shows aThe significant increase data in sizeofof February the trees from trunklarge diameter 2013. All were 2013with shows a signifi cant its increase in and last surviving year with allBounty rootstockstrees growing at similar rates, Bounty maintaining first position rated asDusa excellent line with1).results size of the trees fromsizelast all are following(in close (Figure In Figure 2 to Figure 5, trees of average foryear each with rootstock from 2012) (Table 1). The health of rootstocks growing at similar rates, with presented. most of the Zutano, Duke 7 and Dusa Bounty maintaining its first position and trees that were either good or very good Dusa following close (Figure 4). In Figure in 2012 have improved to very good or 5 to Figure 8, trees of average size for excellentmm in 90 2013. Most of the Zutano each rootstock are presented. trees that were either poor or very poor Whangarei and Te Puke trials in 2012 died in the past year.

The increase 80 in health of the surviving In the cultivar trials established in trees could be due to several causes, the Whangarei in May 2011 and in Te Puke dry long warm summer we have just in November 2012 (both in replant experienced,70the trees are not bearing situations), the preliminary results any fruit - like many of the orchards confirm what we have been observing of the area this year, and the trees have in the trial in Mangawhai; the healthiest 60 been sprayed every 45 to 60 days with trees are on Bounty, followed closely by Bounty phosphorous acid.

Dusa.

50 Figure 4. Hass on Bounty rootstock of average size.

Duke 7

Trunk diameter

Bounty Duke 7 Dusa Zutano

Table 1. Tree health, percentage of trees in each health category in 2012 and 2013.

40

Very poor Feb- Feb12 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

The trunk diameter data of February 2013 shows a significant large increase in size of the trees last year with all rootstocks growing at similar rates, with Bounty maintaining its first position Dusa following close (Figure 1). In Figure 2 to Figure 5, trees of average size for each rootstoc Formatted: Normal presented.

Table 1. Tree health, percentage of trees in each health category in 2012 and 2013.

Dead Feb- Feb12 13 Bounty 3 3 Dusa 0 0 Duke 7 8 3 Zutano 33 61

Dead Feb13 3 3 0 0 8 3 61 33

Feb12

30

Formatted: Indent: Left: 0 cm, 20 Hanging: 1.02 cm, No bullets or numbering 10 0

Figure 3. Trunk diameter just below the graft union of Hass trees grafted on the four different rootstocks.

Figure 4. Trunk diameter just below the graft union of Hass trees grafted on the four different rootstocks.

Commercial Dusa plantings Several Dusa commercial plantings established from 2007 to 2009 are carrying their second crop now with growers relatively satisfied with the results. It would be important to monitor these orchards to obtain independent data about their performance.

Figure 6. Hass on Duke 7 rootstock of average size.

Dusa Zutano

30 20 10 Figure 7. Hass on Zutano rootstock of average size. on Dusa6. rootstock size. rootstock of Figure 5. Hass on0Bounty rootstock ofFigure 5. Hass Figure Hassof average on Dusa 7. Hass on Duke Figure 8. Hass on Zutano rootstock of Figure 6. Hass Figure on Duke 7 rootstock of average size. 7 rootstock of 3 O oth er trials average size. average size. average size. average size.

In the cultivar trials established in W hangarei in M ay 2011 and in Te P

Figure 4. Hass on Bounty rootstock of average size.

uke in N ovember 2012 replant situations), the preliminary results seem to confirm what we have been observing in in M angawhai; , the healthiest trees are on Bounty, followed closely by Dusa.

4

Figure 3. Trunk diameter just below the graft union of Hass trees grafted on the four different rootstocks.

C ommercial pPlantings

S everal Dusa commercial plantings established from 2007 to 2009 are carrying their sec now with growers relatively satisfied with the results. W e are currently seeking funds to 39 some of these blocks so we can collect to have some objective data about their performanc

By Henry Pak NZ Avocado technical manager hpak@nzavocado.co.nz

Effects of drought on avocado production

While heavy rains have finally arrived to quench some drought-plagued regions, the effects of New Zealand’s worst drought in 70 years will have some longer term effects in our orchards.

The extent to which any individual orchard is affected by drought conditions will depend on a number of factors. These include the soil type and moisture holding characteristics, the root distribution within the soil profile (plants that are not irrigated will often have more extensive root systems, while for those that are regularly irrigated, root distribution can be restricted predominantly to the wetted areas) and the presence and type of mulch.

The key here is that not all trees will be equally affected.

The key ways that drought impacts on avocados can be considered as effects on fruit set, fruit size, nutrient uptake, fruit quality and longer-term production.

The main way that the trees respond to water stress is by closing the stomata, the opening in the leaf through which gases and water vapour move in and out of the

leaf. This prevents loss of water vapour, which helps conserve water use but also prevents carbon dioxide and oxygen from entering the leaf, with a subsequent detrimental effect on photosynthesis and hence tree productivity. Nevertheless, lack of water in the soil stresses trees in ways that we do not fully understand. It is known that the production of abscisic acid (ABA) is increased and that this can cause a cascade of other stress responses.

If a drought occurs over flowering this can have a detrimental effect on fruit set.

Of the fruit that does set, the subsequent fruit drop may be delayed until such time as reasonable rainfall occurs. Fruit growth is adversely affected, as an adequate supply of water is essential for cell division and enlargement. On more developed fruit a lack of water can result in an increase in ring neck necrosis (death of cells on the fruit stalk) that can lead to premature fruit drop or to a reduction in fruit quality.

Nutrient uptake relies on an adequate supply of soil moisture. This allows the nutrients to dissolve and be taken up by the plant. Calcium uptake in particular is likely to have been adversely affected as most of the calcium uptake into a fruit occurs within the first 12 weeks following fruit set. Low calcium levels can lead to an increase in fruit quality disorders, both physiological and pathological.

Tree growth can be adversely affected.

There may be a lack of summer flush, which potentially reduces the following season’s crop, although it is thought that the spring flush is the most productive.

Lack of soil moisture also restricts root growth and the tree may miss one or more root flushes. This will potentially increase susceptibility to phytophthora as the roots are not being replenished. Reduced root activity also means that trees may be slower to respond to fertiliser applications.

Extreme soil moisture deficits may have longer term impacts on productivity.

Under severe water stress the water column within the conducting vessels inside the trunk may be broken resulting in ‘air bubbles’ or cavitation. This reduces the efficiency with which water is transported internally within the tree, and can result in decreased productivity. It is thought that the plant needs to grow new conducting tissue and this process may take from one to two years.

The following links provide more advice on how trees can be affected by drought: http://www.horticulture.com.au/ librarymanager/libs/172/Avocado_ Irrigation_Drought_Conditions.pdf http://www.horticulture.com.au/ librarymanager/libs/165/Avocados_ Managing_Water.pdf 41

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Reading your trees A New Zealand Avocado Grower’s Guide

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At the bottom of each section in this guide there are a number of factors to consider to optimise your orchard management. You will need to determine which is the best option for your own situation – if in doubt, seek specialist advice.

Download the Reading Your Trees workbook from the industry website under Resources > and select Orchard Management Guidelines from the drop down box. This workbook complements the Reading Your Trees guide and allows you to record your assessments.

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42

S TA F F C O N TA C T S Jen Scoular

Midge Munro

Bart Hofstee

NZ Avocado Chief Executive Officer

Communications Manager

Research Technician

Develop and implement the industry strategy. jen.scoular@nzavocado.co.nz

Edwina Aitchison Personal Assistant to the CEO

Administrative support to the AGA Executive and the AIC Board; Conference and meeting organisation. Administration support for new germplasm. edwinaaitchison@nzavocado.co.nz

Dr Henry Pak

Implementing the communication strategy: promotions, stakeholder events and publications, industry website development, media liaison. midgemunro@nzavocado.co.nz

Bevan Jelley Local Market Analyst

Identifying issues in local market supply chain and developing strategies to add value. bevan.jelley@nzavocado.co.nz

Glenys Parton

Technical Manager

Quality systems; research & development; managing external research & development providers. henrypak@nzavocado.co.nz

Nici Kennerley Business Manager

Accounting functions and reporting of industry data. nici.kennerley@nzavocado.co.nz

Manager Projects

Assisting with current NZ Avocado research programmes; field and laboratory work – trials and treatments; fruit quality assessments; sample collection and preparation; data entry and analysis. glenys.parton@nzavocado.co.nz

Assisting with current NZ Avocado research programmes. barthofstee@nzavocado.co.nz

Sheryl Wilson Office Administrator

Grower registration; AvoGreen administration; weekly reporting; crop estimation. sherylwilson@nzavocado.co.nz

Joanne Nunn Administration Assistant

Reception and general administration duties. jnunn@nzavocado.co.nz

Dr Alvaro Vidiella Scientist

Managing and implementing the NZ Avocado research programme. alvaro.vidiella@nzavocado.co.nz

NZ Avocado Office : 0800 AVOCADO

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