Avoscene December 2011 by New Zealand Avocado

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

DECEMBER 2011

• Congress roundup • Promotions update • Choosing the best spray to use • Germplasm and pruning trial updates • Australian preclearance charge

Directors Bay of Plenty Ashby Whitehead Ph 07 573 6680 alwhitehead@xtra.co.nz Far North Ian Broadhurst Ph 09 406 7308 M. 021 395 906 bernian.avos@xtra.co.nz Mid North Mike Eagles Ph 09 434 7271 m.eagles@xtra.co.nz At Large John Cotterell Ph 07 552 6880 M 027 451 3138 john@southernproduce.co.nz Roger Barber (Vice Chairman NZAGA) Ph/Fax 09 435 0785 barbers@ihug.co.nz John Schnackenberg (Chairman NZAGA and AIC) Ph 07 549 0717 jschnack@ihug.co.nz Tony Ponder (Vice Chairman AIC) Ph 07 572 3019 tony@southernproduce.co.nz

Contents Regular Columns Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comment CEOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comment Grower comment Export update Organic comment Local market comment Regional Roundups Features

Rest of NZ

Avocentric: Mike and Megan Allan Congress roundup Japan: learning to love avocados

David French Ph 09 238 3359 M 0274 375 315 famille@ps.gen.nz

News

Export Directors John Carroll, Andrew Darling.

Avoscene Advertising & Editorial Avoscene is published by the Avocado Industry Council 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: Daphne Keller at Sun Media Ltd email daphne@thesun.co.nz Design and production: Kym Johnson, Sun Media Ltd email kym@thesun.co.nz Printed at: Kale Print Subscriptions NZ $100 plus GST per year (four issues) In New Zealand NZ $27 per single copy

Industry Office PO Box 13267, Tauranga 3141 Ph: 07 571 6147 or 0800 AVOCADO (0800 286 2236)

Fax: 07 571 6145 www.nzavocado.co.nz

Cover picture: Japanese Media enjoying an avocado buffet at the New Zealand avocado season media lunch in Tokyo

5 8 10 15 17 19 36

Local market promotion update Export market promotion update Australian preclearance change AIC and Plant and Food join forces on pollination trial Industry news Avogreen Annual Review

24 32 34

27 29 41 44 47 49

Research Roles of insects under microscope Fungus affects Australian avocados A close look at fungi and Root Rot The effect of high pressure water blasting on avocado fruit quality

32 33 33 39

Technical The way pesticides work Tech transfer update Choosing the best spray to use Germplasm update Agrichemical spray drift Pruning trial update

20 22 44 45 48 50

Moving the volume

Chairmans Comment By NZAGA and AIC chairman John Schnackenberg

e at value As I write this it is mid November and harvesters and packers have now picked and packed about half of the export crop (packed to date 1.81m) with a record week to Friday 11 November of a total of 309,000 tray equivalents (TE) packed with over 220,000 TE destined for export. The recent crop estimate has remained largely unchanged with an anticipated 3.65m TE for export and 2.15m TE left onshore. The numbers are huge and with this comes value challenges which are being experienced both on-shore and in various markets off-shore. I am reminded of a challenge from a Far North packer at an industry forum presenting the 2015-16 Vision a couple of years ago, who pointed out that 12m trays were possible, even an FOB value of $250m, but probably not in the same year! Local market I was asked at a recent grower field day (Katikati, 9 November) what had happened to all the autumn set we had this year in terms of marketing it all and at value. My response was that probably the NZAGA and AIC had not focused on the opportunity when it might have, although we were led to believe a number of marketers had ‘things in hand’ and left it to them. What did happen, it seemed to me, was that some enterprising growers possibly harvested their autumn fruit too soon, having seen others had started. Customers were generally confused with the round fruit as there was little coordinated consumer education so it didn’t move too well and next thing, early new season fruit was on the market and the opportunity was lost. It was about at

this point that the domestic market values started to fall, assisted as I described last quarter by some significant harvest volumes. There are a number of things we have to do to extract value from domestic market fruit as we move into increasing ‘over-supply’ - increase demand through consistent promotions, manage supply when we can, move smaller TAG 2 fruit and TAG 3 fruit out of fresh supply and support processing options – but the single most important thing growers have to all do is exercise discipline and insist our packers and marketers do to! The NZAGA and AIC have tried a number of times to introduce a local market quality initiative with varying success. Such an initiative would establish strong grower and packer disciplines and hopefully marketer disciplines if widely adopted. Is this the vehicle through which some sensible crop management can be introduced? At a Katikati roadshow earlier in the year, Hugh Moore from Kauripak suggested that growers should take their packers to task over packing agreements – i.e. insist that certain limits are in place with respect to various grades and sizes of fruit. Growers, we don’t have to accept the contract as presented by packers – seek changes and controls that can add or maintain value to our local market fruit. Recently the chairman from a small product group called me to discuss the local market woes of his industry. This group has nine growers and are supplying two supermarket chains and both appeared to have the upper hand. My simplistic advice was to get all growers together and supply only one chain in preference. “It won’t happen” was the response. Can we get 1500 growers acting in unison? Australia Our export programme to Australian retailers started earlier than ever this year – mid to late September. Not because New Zealand had a large crop but because Australian growers and the

Australian industry underestimated their crop. As a consequence, retailers made the decision to switch to reliable New Zealand supply. I believe there is another issue to consider – miss or poor information about the actual New Zealand crop. Our Australian cousins do not seem to understand that we export to a number of destinations and that Australia is not and will never be our sole market. When CEO Jen Scoular and I met with our Australian counterparts in April we were very surprised to be told that we were exporting basically our total exportable crop of 3.4m trays (first estimate) to Australia this season. This was quickly corrected by us to an anticipated 2.7m – 2.8m and we clearly made the point that up to a million trays would go elsewhere. Has that information subsequently been disseminated? Whose responsibility is it? Can we manage this information flow better? At that time we were told that the Australian crop was light and industry leaders expected an easy entry of New Zealand fruit into the market from about September. Panic hit Australian growers in late September when they discovered that their retail programs were shutting down in favour of New Zealand and there was suddenly an apparent abundant supply of their fruit yet to come, all hitting the wholesale market with then modest volumes of New Zealand fruit. The wholesale market declined significantly. Whose fault was it? Ours apparently! Our exporters will be telling the story to New Zealand growers as it is – part of that story is there has been very strong demand for New Zealand fruit through retailers. Not surprising, I suppose, given the very good values at which the Australian consumer has been able to get consistent quality fruit. There is another angle to this. A request has been made of me from an Australian grower that New Zealand start its promotional campaigns earlier and spend more to help push the Australian fruit through the wholesale system, all continued...

Moving the volume at value at a time when the Australian industry was winding down its own promotional spend due to New Zealand fruit entering the market. Go figure! Attached to the request was the broad hint that we have not seen the end of the Australian industry seeking a compulsory levy on New Zealand fruit at the same rate Australian growers pay – A$0.25 per tray – a tilt at our NZ$0.20 promotional levy. The most significant financial contribution anyone can make to promotions is the discount given to move volume. We (and the remaining Aussie fruit that wasn’t anticipated) are giving real discounts to desired value so far this season in Australia – not by choice, but by circumstance - dictated to us by poor Australian crop information and an unavoidable element of good old parochialism. It makes 20c or 25c pale into insignificance! An outcome of this season will be that significant higher volumes can be moved in the Australian summer market ultimately at good values. That is good news for all growers who can supply summer fruit, be they from Western Australia, tri-state, northern New South Wales or New Zealand. A final message for Australian growers: There are 11 registered avocado exporters who are experienced and disciplined suppliers to Australia delivering consistent Class I fruit throughout the summer. The bulk of our fruit is channelled into retail supply programs. Some of our smaller exporters do not have this opportunity. Some years the wholesale market is largely strong, benefitting exporters with a sole wholesale market focus, this year was expected to be but is quite different. Australia is just one of our export options and it is absolutely not in our best interest to oversupply Australia. For this reason, our exporters collectively agreed to make best endeavours to move 25% of their export supply to destinations other than Australia. ‘Over6

supply’ is determined by a number of factors including retailer requirements, but importantly, from Australian industry information and demand side estimates. Promotions Promotional programs are now pretty much in full swing. Beginning with the very successful ‘media launch’ in Japan hosted at the New Zealand Embassy by Ambassador Ian Kennedy in late September, a similar event in Sydney mid November featuring the Australian avocado industry nutritionist Zoe Bingley-Pullin, together with various activities in our domestic market, all reported on effectively elsewhere. World Congress It was a pleasure being able to represent New Zealand growers in Cairns at the recent very successful World Congress. The event itself was less flamboyant than the Chilean World Congress I attended four years ago when I first assumed the Chair – perhaps understated, but equally inspiring. I chose to participate primarily in the on orchard science stream of lectures. Some of the information was older information, much was new. What strikes me is the abundant information available and often the bewildering choice a grower has in options to consider. That is a benefit of World Congress – look for specific reports elsewhere and for the ‘Proceedings’ information when it becomes available. I encourage you to review all the reports. Some of our ‘senior’ growers frequently tell the NZAGA and AIC that all the information you need is already out there, in the Grower Manual, or in other publications or websites. True, much is. But it is important to step aside from our busy lives and take time to read and consider new information as it becomes available. Many of us, me included, need to take time to review existing information too!

Continued

Board Election Congratulations to John Cotterell from Katikati who was successful in the recent ‘at large’ representative election. John is a well known face in the Bay of Plenty industry and I look forward to the contribution he will make to the AGA and AIC. Many thanks to Kevin Evans (Athenree), Murray Pease (Katikati) and Kim Crocker (Whakamaramara) who also put themselves forward. Kim, who resigned from the At Large position earlier this year, brought a contrary view to the board table that was healthy in generating debate. Kim, among others, has challenged the right and role of exporters at the Board table and also that of elected grower representatives who are also employed by registered exporters. That John Cotterell has been elected with a healthy majority, having declared an interest with an exporter, suggests that many growers do not have an issue with this. Equally, our other grower representative with exporter connections – Tony Ponder – was re-elected this year unchallenged. Perhaps it is more about the fundamental contribution growers believe an individual can make on their behalf rather than any perceived conspiracy theory. The Chair and the Board are tasked with managing any conflicts that might arise. Any grower under our Rules has a right to be elected to the AGA as a grower representative. Our avocado industry is an export-led industry. Exporters thus have a role to play at our table and in terms of our Rules one of our objectives is to “... foster and establish a closer bond of unity and cooperation amongst all those engaged in the production and/or sale of avocados in New Zealand”. Most importantly, exporters have a right to be at our table by virtue of grower adoption of the HEA regulated model of control of avocado exports where via the recognized product group (the AIC) we are obligated to work in partnership with exporters and do so via exporter directors on the AIC.

Our industry on show The VII World Avocado Congress in Cairns provided an excellent opportunity to network with both the New Zealand and global avocado team. The New Zealand evening, supported by growers and sponsored by four exporters, was perfectly timed on the evening of the first day of presentations at the Congress, so everyone could talk about it for the rest of the week. Judging by the level of noise and attendance, it was a huge success, a perfect way for New Zealand to raise our visibility on the world stage. Thanks to Midge who took up the lion share of ensuring its success. Speaking of visibility, I hope you have all noticed the media attention around avocados in New Zealand right now. We have sent out the last month’s media clippings via AvoConnect and it shows the reach we are achieving with the PR campaign and activities working to increase avocado consumption in New Zealand. We’re also strategically raising visibility of the industry at a national level. John and I recently attended a lunch with John Key in Tauranga, I have met with Wayne McNee, Director General of MAF around the GIA discussions and three of us met Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Research and Development recently at a function at Plant and Food NZ. Four of the Board attended the launch of the China New Zealand Trade magazine which we sponsored with an editorial – all part of the strategy to ensure our bid to export to China and India stays top of mind in Wellington. I attended my first Plant Market Access Committee (PMAC) meeting last month and will push our case for priority in market access. We had a potentially very serious pest incident in October, with a pest diagnosed in a consignment in the market. This activated a joint response between MAF and AIC, including a team of about 20 from a range of disciplines, including diagnostic laboratories. After a weeklong process it ended very happily in confirmation of a misdiagnosis. Henry and I were very impressed with the support and communication from MAF who achieved a streamlined process across their organisation and others that are involved. We were able to isolate both the pack house and grower lines with our traceability systems and were well on the way to having contingency plans in place across several export markets in case the diagnosis was confirmed. This proves very strongly the real benefits we have in a strong and mutual ongoing relationship with MAF as a partner for the avocado industry in exporting avocados. 8

CEO’s Comment By AIC CEO Jen Scoular jen.scoular@nzavocado.co.nz

It was a rough start in Australia for us, and growers you will be bearing the brunt of this following the significant fall in wholesale prices when New Zealand fruit arrived in Australia this year. The issue was not the volume of avocados from New Zealand, as has been suggested by media in Australia, but the lack of information, or incorrect information provided by Australian growers on the volumes they had to supply at the same time. New Zealand doesn’t ship avocados until Woolworths and Coles orders their first New Zealand fruit for the season, and they wait until Australian volumes are down to do that. Whether you are a big or small grower, please don’t feel you can’t talk to your packer and exporter about this. You need to know what impact the season is having on your return. Promotions in Australia are going very strongly with a full on sampling programme and again lots of media and PR. I attended a media launch with 10 food editors of most of the big magazines with an avocado barbecue in the park. All had a passion for avocados and were very excited about the new ideas for recipes they heard about. The Japanese market has performed very well, with good sales and good returns for much higher volumes of New Zealand fruit. We were very happy with the media launch at the New Zealand Embassy at the end of September, an excellent event hosted by Ambassador Ian Kennedy with 79 media attendees hearing an hour long presentation on the New Zealand industry then enjoying a sumptuous avocado lunch prepared by the New Zealand Embassy Chef. The Embassy ishosting another big function this month and has asked for New Zealand avocados – of course we are very pleased we can promote our avocados through prestigious events like that. Don’t you love those days when you wonder if you can ask for anything more. I spent two afternoons in November sitting in the shade of an avocado tree with lovely avocado growers, learning about the intricacies of growing great avocados. One hundred and twenty-eight of you joined me at the recent field day at John and Cindy

Cotterell’s, and more than 50 at Grant and Josie Stewart’s in Te Puke. What great hosts our field day hosts all are. Thank you for that hospitality – it really makes a difference for a lot of us, to be able to gather, share ideas, some knowledge and a few good stories. Thanks too to the growers who are part of our pruning trial. We are impinging on you, and being a nuisance when you want to pick, but through your participation we hope the industry will gain some real answers to help alleviate biennial bearing. I’m leading a strategy session with the board this month – focusing on what we are doing and the changes we need to allow the industry, and returns, to grow. The objective is to define and prioritise the top six big questions we need to answer to allow the industry to meet our documented goals. At each Board meeting next year we will set aside an hour and a half to discuss the questions one-by-one, to make sure we are actively planning for the future. I’m also talking to individual growers to get their thoughts on where the industry needs to go and how we might adjust to the challenges we have. The offer is always open to call me or email me. Thanks to those growers who have taken up that offer. I was sad to see Toni Elmsly leave the AIC and Karin Zijp will follow in December, both to pursue other interests. Thank-you both for your great contributions and I wish you well. Glenys Parton joins us in November and we are actively recruiting to fill Karin’s role of Business Manager. No-one suggested it was going to be an easy year. It is certainly challenging and looking back we might have done some things better – but will learn for next time. Communication remains a huge priority for me, and I think we will be more successful as our ability to communicate effectively as an industry improves. So that means keep talking to each other, to us, to your Board reps, to your exporter and packer. I look forward to hearing from you.

AIC Activity highlights September - December Volume • Grower Field days on nutrition, six held from Opotiki to Far North. • Reviewed proposals submitted for Avocado Research Consortium funding. Value • Australia promotion programme commenced. • Season launch for NZ Avocados held at NZ Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. • Domestic promotion programme commenced. • Six AvoGreen review meetings held to obtain input from various stakeholders. • Pest Risk Assessment to facilitate access to South Africa. • Worked with Zespri to minimise any potential issues associated with PSA control on kiwifruit. • AGMARDT grant obtained for trial work on DCA. Leadership • AIC Board and five staff attended the World Avocado Congress in Cairns, Australia 5 - 9 September. Jen Scoular, Juan Rosales and Henry Pak presented papers. • Worked in partnership with MAF to deal with a potential incursion. • AIC Board Strategy meeting held. • Two spray drift disputes managed. • Submission on review of organophosphates and carbamates by Environmental Protection Authority (formerly ERMA) submitted. • Students from the University of Sydney visit to learn about the NZ avocado industry.

Compliance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; friend Compliance is something many avocado orchardists love to hate, but there is also an understanding it is simply another part of business in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international markets. The Avocado Industry Council sets out what it requires from growers wishing to export in section two of the Quality Manual. This section covers everything from orchards needing to have a PPIN to ensure fruit traceability, through to rules on maturity levels prior to harvesting. Growers who have been in the avocado industry many years say there is an

The avocado compliance chain The following chart summarizes the compliance chain. For full details please refer to the industry EMS and AIC Quality manual. This chart should not be used as a replacement for these documents. 10

Grower Comment By Natasha Mitchell natasha@thesun.co.nz

or foe? ever-increasing number of rules and regulations they have to comply with in order be able to sell their fruit overseas. Compliance rules relating to food safety are generally seen as fair and reasonable. But in some cases there is duplication of requirements from two or more different agencies, which causes frustration. Te Puke grower Ashby Whitehead describes compliance as ‘a necessary evil’. “I just see it as part of my business. The avocado industry is not just a cottage industry – we’re running an export industry,” says Ashby. Because he has been exporting avocados for more than 10 years, he feels he has a good understanding of the reasons behind the rules and regulations. “I think they’re all pretty fair. A lot of

GROWING FOR EXPORT

PPIN Each orchard title must have a PPIN. This is important for traceability reasons. $70+GST

people fear the audits but they don’t need to be scary.” Ashby says many of the requirements, especially in terms of food safety, result from meeting the demands of customers or overseas governments. While some growers were against the integrated pest management system Avogreen becoming compulsory this season, Ashby says at least the rules are not as restrictive and dictatorial as they are for kiwifruit. He also believes it has added value for growers. “I’ve seen pack-outs go from 65 percent to 79 or 81 per cent. I see that as a direct benefit to a grower. And exporters can now use that as a marketing tool, like they have with kiwifruit.” He agrees with growers gaining

Spray & Fertiliser Diary Applications of fungicides and pesticides must be recorded in the AIC Spray & Fertiliser diary.

Food Safety Grower must provide a Declaration of Food Safety unless accredited to any of the industry recognised food safety programmes (e.g. GlobalGAP, NZGAP, SQF1000 etc). Adherence to the requirements of third party food safety programmes: GlobalGAP, NZGAP, SQF1000 as Registered chemicals only required by your Apply only registered chemicals/pesticides packer/exporter. at no more than the recommended rates NZGAP $399 + cost to bring operation up and observe to standard. Price varies depending on all withholding periods. certification type and if Packhouse is a PMO. AvoGreen® All export fruit must be AvoGreen compliant. $100 +GST for 5 years or $40 +/- per monitoring round

Growsafe Grower-sprayers and spray contractors must be Growsafe registered. $50-$150 depending on provider and level

PACKING

Export Registration - from 01 May yearly All growers intending to export must register with AIC. $155.25 incl GST earlybird

AQIS Preclearance As part of the AQIS preclearance Library Tray sample programme, fruit going to Australia is A sample for Library Trays shall be collected at every picking round per PPIN, or once every 28 inspected for insects and contaminants. If fruit fails preclearance all fruit days for PPINs where that property is continuously picked. A sample is a minimum of 1 tray of in that lot, which may include several growers, will have to be fumigated. at least 20 fruit per line. $44.50 per sample (+$12 for Northland collection) Cost to fumigate

GrowSafe registration but wonders why the Environmental Risk Management Authority requires people to be re-tested every five years. He admits he finds filling out the electronic Spray Diary time-consuming, so often makes notes in his paper diary and then fills the electronic diary out on a rainy day when he can’t work outside. Ashby supports the Library Trays programme because he sees the value in having a historical record of fruit quality. “The cost is negligible and a lot is borne by the packhouse or included in packing costs.” Ashby estimates he spends approximately $1000 a year on compliance, taking into account export registration fees; Avogreen continued...

HARVESTING

Maturity Clearance Packer must obtain a maturity clearance to pick (unless AIC has issued blanket clearance) showing that the fruit meets industry minimum Dry Matter standards for export. Growers only pay for a failed test. $132 Waihi to Paengaroa and Whangarei/Far North orchards. Price varies for other areas. Verify Spray Diary Spray Diary must be verified by grower’s nominated Packer. Registered Harvester Growers using a contract harvester need to ensure that the contractor is accredited to the AIC Food Safety programme unless the contractor is exempted to accreditation

IN MARKET

In-market authority inspection In-market MAF and FSA equivalents inspect fruit for bugs, contaminants and residues. If chemical residues are found to be in excess of MRLs, fruit is destroyed and penalties can apply for the grower. If pests are found this can jeopardise the whole industry and is why traceability is so important so we can isolate the issue.

to any of the other recognised food safety programmes (e.g. GlobalGAP, NZGAP, etc.) Traceability At harvest bins are to be marked with: • P-Pin Grower registration number. • Block number (if only part of the orchard has received a maturity clearance or where spray programmes vary across blocks). • Date of picking No windfalls Under no conditions are windfall fruit to be collected and packed for export. =/< 5mm stalks All stalks should be cut to 5mm or less. Pick to packhouse = 24 hours In all cases harvested fruit is to be delivered to the Packer within 24 hours of harvesting.

In-market fruit handler inspection In market handlers inspect fruit in accordance with customer specific requirements - quality. If fruit does not comply with the standard, fruit can be rejected and claims will be made. Loss in revenue for pool.

Compliance – friend or foe? (he pays a staff member to carry out monitoring); and New Zealand Good Agricultural Practice (NZGAP). Ashby chooses to have his own individual NZGAP certificate rather than be covered through a packhouse or exporter because he sells fruit with multiple exporters. When you say the word ‘compliance’ to Katikati orchardist and KauriPak owner Hugh Moore, his first thought as a grower is ‘oh hell’. “Most Kiwi horticulturalists want freedom but the big wide world isn’t like that. You can’t fight it; you’ve got to work with it. (So) don’t have a completely negative attitude about it. Once you have a negative attitude; that makes it hard to accept,” says Hugh. A former NZ Avocado Growers’ Association chairman, he hopes those in power try to limit the amount of compliance and believes it is important to have systems in place to ensure people can question the rules. Growers need to ‘fight their patch’ to make sure rules are practical and not repetitive, Hugh says. “I’ve probably been part of putting some of that compliance in, in my roles in the industry over a decade or more, but it has been done with knowledge of the effects on growers.” However, like Ashby, he knows many rules are set by the governments of countries New Zealand exports to. “Compliance is the new trade barrier in the world. A lot of growers in other markets don’t want our produce there, so we’re fighting them through political systems. “As a grower, you get the feeling you have to jump higher than growers in countries we export to. But when it comes to consumer and supermarket controls, that’s a lot harder battle, and sometimes less logical. “There’s always someone out there wanting to push more compliance on us. There’s almost a one-upmanship that’s completely driven from large supermarkets, posing as consumer influence. That’s not going to change.” Hugh says at first he cringed at some of 12

the food safety regulations because they seemed overly prescriptive. “But when you look into it indepth, you find there have been some horrendous problems out there, so you understand why they are put in place. In everyday life, you don’t understand the number of incidents and recalls there are. Buyers and sellers keep them as quiet as they can.” Many growers, especially those with small orchards, find having to record everything time-consuming and a hassle, but Hugh says if information is not recorded, it can’t be audited and proven if something goes wrong. Having good food safety regulations is also a useful marketing tool overseas. “Why does China and Asia want to buy New Zealand food? Because we don’t pollute our own people. Food safety just doesn’t happen there and that’s why their middle and upper class want to buy anything but their own produce.” Hugh also supports the AvoGreen programme because he believes it fits well alongside good food safety as something desirable to customers. “There is market pressure that we only put something (spray chemicals) on because there’s a reason to put something on, not just because the neighbour is putting something on.” KauriPak packs fruit for approximately 160 growers and Hugh says this season, partly thanks to Avogreen being compulsory for export, crops have been cleaner and people have made better choices in terms of the timing and types of chemical to use. Katikati orchardist Jack Crozier sits on the AvoGreen working group and has also seen much better pack-outs this season due to the programme being compulsory. “Some are up in the 80 per cent range, whereas in the past they’ve felt good if they got 65 per cent. There’s been a big benefit there,” says Jack. He manages 12 orchards and says it takes a lot of time to ensure they are all meeting the compliance requirements. “A lot of the time I can’t charge it to my

Continued

growers. There is a bit here and there that takes time up but it doesn’t cost a lot of money. It’s just time filling in forms and things like that.” While the reasons behind some of the food safety regulations under NZGAP are ‘a bit of a mystery’, most of the rules seem common sense to him. In fact, he feels the avocado industry is probably behind other horticultural industries with its compliance requirements. Jack has worked in Japan and believes having strict rules, and being able to prove they are being followed, has particular benefits for New Zealand growers selling in that market. Aongatete Avocados Ltd contracts to work with more than 150 growers each season. The company employs approximately 35 staff harvesting and growing fruit and managing director Tony Bradley says the operation faces compliance at many stages in its supply chain. “Some compliance adds value, some is questionable.” For example, Tony says the process of the food safety programme NZGAP added real value to his business operations. On the other hand, while AvoGreen may add value to growers who had poor systems previously, he found its implementation documentation last year was lacking and added significant costs to their growers’ operations. “While statistics from the AIC survey (2010) suggest having an avocado orchard is a lifestyle rather than a commercial operation, most want to make a financial return from them. Over-compliant programmes can dilute that value return.” For Tony there is only limited value in the harvester registration rule in the EMS because he believes it is not being applied consistently. “Even arrangements between neighbours are technically caught up by the wording but is this really needed? And if not, why are the commercial harvesters required as most good operators are already operating audited

systems as part of their growers’ food safety requirements? “This also applies to the new ruling on commercial spray operators. Such groups must meet the requirements for Growsafe, growers’ food safety programmes and their local authorities’ rules, so why introduce new rules with another organisation? It’s more checking the checkers stuff, more audits, more cost. This rule also catches arrangements between neighbours. “I want to see consistency of the ruling. Don’t just tax the commercial operators; if it’s important to put a rule in, it needs to be auditable and applied consistently.” Tony supports keeping compliance simple and says it is important to consider the value and all the

ramifications of decisions to create new rules. Far North Packers owner Jim Clark feels packhouses are often singled out to carry the burden of compliance because they are ‘an easy target’ when the responsibility should lie with another sector of the industry. “That’s the problem with remote regulation – you’re not Johnny on the spot so you use rules and regulations. But I think that’s got over the top. Maybe they (the AIC) shouldn’t be managing it at all. Maybe it should be coming from the exporters, because it’s their brand.” Jim says food safety compliance rules have had huge benefits for the industry and for his packing business. However he questions many of the Quality

Manual requirements for packers, saying they are over-complicated, overprescriptive and designed in a one-sizefits-all manner that fails to recognise and reward the efforts of quality packers. There are also too many audits, with many required by different organisations but covering the same issues. “There is this pedantic culture that’s giving us a lot of busy work to do but doesn’t achieve anything. Fruit quality is no better. Out-turns are no better. What are we really achieving by doing all this auditing, other than perception of ‘we’ve got to keep ‘em honest’?” Jim recently made a submission on the EMS outlining his views and believes it is important packers and growers fight burgeoning bureaucracy and compliance.

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N U T R I O L O G Y *

*the science of growing

Exporters’ Comment By AVEC chairman John Carroll johnc@primor.co.nz

The season so far We have now passed the halfway mark for packing of our season’s volume and we are well on track to optimise our overall New Zealand harvest and be completed in the main before the end of February. It appears the logistics side of things is working well, even despite some interruptions from rain, and allowing for the fact we have in recent weeks backed off some volume into Australia in order to provide some breathing space in that market. Fruit quality is performing well, just so long as we can keep our fruit moving at a steady pace and we do not have inventory backing up and fruit aging. So no surprises there. But it is fair to say we have some serious concerns in terms of the performance of the market in general. To date, the Japanese market has provided the highlights with good value and a sizeable programme. The season launch in Tokyo at the NZ Embassy back in late September was well attended, and that momentum has been maintained in the face of increasing volumes and shrinking prices out of Mexico. There is a real sense New Zealand is finding

more and more distinct identity in the Japanese market, so let’s hope that can be maintained. Most of what has been achieved has come about from sheer hard work, including greater education of the Japanese handlers about the characteristics of our fruit, plus some well coordinated media and promotional work. Outside of Japan, however, things have been tough. Prior to the season, exporters agreed at AVEC to target 25% of our exports to markets outside Australia. The simple theory here was the importance of not overloading Australia, and this was well discussed. As it transpires, what has unfolded in Australia has been a marketplace overwhelmed with fruit, and that has caused ripples into Asian markets as cheap Australian fruit has travelled there also. However, it is extremely important to understand what has occurred, in the ongoing process of learning from every market situation. Each year, New Zealand exporters discuss suitable timing of entry to the Australian market with customers, in particular the supermarkets. These discussions tend to be mature and businesslike, and the Australian customers provide their own analysis of remaining Australian supply. Then, simply, a start time is agreed. But what has transpired from late September, through October

and into November this year is a result of some wildly inaccurate forecasting by the Australian Industry. The much talked about Australian Infocado reporting system, which New Zealand contributes to, has severely malfunctioned. The actual supply from within Australia was much, much more than what they predicted, while at the same time New Zealand shipped the volumes we had indicated. In many respects there is no satisfaction in seeing such uncertainly in markets, but most galling is the weight of unjustified criticism of New Zealand exports. The Australian “peak body”, AAL, has been very vocal and negative about New Zealand, as well as Australian supermarkets. What it should be doing is looking in the mirror and assessing just how its systems got it so wrong. New Zealand growers would welcome a more robust, inclusive Australian industry, as that would maximise opportunities for all players. Having said all of the above, we still have over two thirds of our crop still to sell in our off-shore markets. There is plenty of time to improve the value of our remaining fruit, and exporters are pretty determined to achieve that. As the old adage always says, fruit can only be sold once, so we are optimistic that the rest of the season can see a positive market sparking along. 15

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Organic Comment By NZOAGI chairperson Mike Crum mpcjcrum@xtra.co.nz

Tough times call for tough decisions We seem to be going through a particularly tough time in the orcharding sector. Break-even type returns in green kiwifruit, great profit in Gold but tempered with increased susceptibility to Psa. Psa becoming a reality for many kiwifruit growers with incomes, investments and lifestyles disappearing. Our neighbours the orchid growers are experiencing a great crop but returns are about 20-30% down, making profitability challenging. The tamarillo growers around Maungatapere have potato psyllid to contend with and are struggling to keep their trees alive. The passionfruit in the area all seem to have died. We heard at the recent Kiwifruit Momentum Conference from John Palmer that he grew the best apple in the world with Jazz and had the highest production in the world as he has a very good orchard manager and it is well suited to his location but he is pulling

them out as there is insufficient profit. Avocados are not a bright spot for all growers, with their unpredictable cropping and generally small crop volumes per hectare making it very tough. As an organic avocado grower, I am faced with increasing problems with phytophthora and am having to redevelop about one third of the orchard as the trees lose their productivity. The million dollar question has been what to plant? I don’t think there are any serious alternatives for us in Maungatapere other than kiwifruit and avocados, so which one? Kiwifruit: On the positive side, patented varieties of unique consumer tested fruit producing consistently above thirty six ton per hectare from year five on. On the negative, the threat of Psa which is destroying kiwifruit around the world and in New Zealand

Avocados: On the positive side, a fruit with increasing consumption and good prices at retail which eventuates as good returns to growers as long as markets aren’t oversupplied. On the negative, our production has fluctuated between 3 tonne and 26 tonne per hectare over a nine year period on mature trees. On-orchard production costs per hectare are about half that of kiwifruit but per kilo of fruit considerably more particularly in the ‘off ’ years for production. All decisions with orcharding require a five year or longer outlook and on that basis we have decided to back the plant breeders ability to come up with a Psaresistant kiwifruit variety and developed our unproductive old phytophthora ridden avocado trees into Gold kiwifruit and planted every second row with Bruno rootstock with the intention of cropping them and planting the other rows with a resistant variety when it comes available. Wish us luck!

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Local market Comment By Freshmax Avocado manager Sue Carter scarter@freshmax.co.nz

Smart technology great for avocados For those of you who read my article in the previous (and excellent) edition of Avoscene, you will recall that I referred to the emergence of new technology.

out on the QR code here right now. You will see just how many fans New Zealand avocados have. Comments on the NZ Avocado Facebook page from one fan: “I just bought 8 avocados for $4 dollars… great value…They were my girls first solid food…There is always a fight in our home when there are avocados in

Quick Response (QR) technology is a fantastic new marketing tool that is about to be used to promote avocados here in New Zealand. New Zealand supermarkets are catching onto the QR code concept as a way of helping teach consumers about product knowledge in a fun and modern way. These QR codes are going to be everywhere soon: they can read an incredible 100 times more information than that in a bar code. They go beyond providing simple product data for pricing purposes and are consumer focussed. The AIC is making their unique QR code available to marketers this season. It will be printed on the Add an Avocado recipe leaflets being handed out in stores as summer promotion campaigns kick off. To use the technology you need to be a smart phone user. Users can download a free QR app which allows the phone to scan the QR code. Once the QR code is scanned your phone is able to read the website encrypted in the code and automatically logs into the site. The website encrypted in the code pictured here is: “facebook.com/nzavocado” This page has heaps of avocado meal ideas and information about avocados. Try it

our house..yum yum yum” and from another fan: “I love love love avocados it’s sooooooo good for you!” And from a third fan: “Bev Fothergill” “proud to be a grower for our local market” plus many, many more positive comments. This is a year our industry needs all the fans we can get as volumes have been plentiful but returns have been at low levels. We often hear complaints from consumers about the poor quality of fruit available for sale in New Zealand. It’s unfortunate that these voices are louder than the many thousands of happy avocado customers who purchase them every day. However, critics are there to

help us lift performance and it is a serious issue within the industry. All round performance needs to lift to help increase value on both in the ‘on’ and ‘off ’ years. The local market does not enjoy the regulatory support the export market does through governance under the HEA model. Over the years, the standard of avocados sold via the various local market supply channels has however lifted. Greater information sharing is taking place. But we can do better. We need to achieve greater consistency of quality on the local market, throughout the supply chain. Key areas where compliance is needed are grade standards, dry matter and pick to retail times. As a way of moving all industry participants up the next the rung on the quality ladder I’d like to propose the concept of a ‘local market code of compliance’. To be effective it has to be simple, to have measurable targets and be easy to implement. The code needs to get enough support so the majority of the industry will sign up in year one and the rest very quickly after.

Let’s get some feedback on this idea. The NZAGA has been asking for growers’ letters in the Avoscene, so here is a topic to get you started. Email your feedback to Jen Scoular jen.scoular@nzavocado.co.nz or post to Avocado Industry Council, PO Box 13267, Tauranga 3141.

The way pesticides This article follows on from the last issue of Avoscene and looks further into how growers can get the most out of any spray they apply by understanding better how they work. Choosing the best product for the job and ensuring its use is well timed are key factors in reaching this goal, but achieving good coverage remains absolutely critical. However, considerable emphasis has recently been placed on the fact that some of the newer products are systemic, as if this explains why they work so well. It may help, but is not by itself an explanation. The box defines some of the terms or jargon used when discussing this topic. The expression “mode of action” is missing from the list of terms because it is often loosely used to cover three quite different situations, and so can be very confusing. “mode of action” is quite commonly used to describe the way a pesticide interacts with a sprayed plant, and it is also used for how the pesticide gets into the pest. (These are the two areas covered in more detail by the terms in the box.) The third way that ‘mode of action’ is used relates to what happens inside the pest; how the pesticide actually kills the target pest. This usage describes the physiological process that is affected to bring about the death of the pest, and is the way pesticides are grouped for resistance management. In my opinion this is the best and the only way that the expression ‘mode of action’ should be used.

of ensuring good coverage when spraying avocado trees. It may help but it is not a substitute for achieving good coverage in the first place. Just how effective the mobility shown by a systemic pesticide will be is altered in a number of ways. The first factor is that systemic movement does not result in a re-distribution of a pesticide from where it was applied to spread it more evenly throughout the plant. Instead it gives a movement upwards (except for Movento, see box), principally to those parts of the plant where active growth is occurring. Is this where the pest you want to control is found? A pest feeding on new shoots would obviously be more at risk than one found on old leaves, but do the fruit feature as sinks that would attract the pesticide? We don’t know and yet it is the fruit we most want to protect from damage. The rate of uptake of a systemic pesticide into the plant will also be affected by a number of factors, including: • the properties of the pesticide used, • its formulation, • the use of penetrants to help get the chemical into the plant, • the plant involved, • its stage of growth, and • the surface being sprayed, since bark is more difficult to penetrate than leaves, and old leaves more difficult than young. These are but some of the ways that limit the potential effectiveness of using systemic activity to better reach the target pest with the pesticide. This means there is no quick or easy alternative and achieving good coverage in the first instance is the most reliable way of ensuring that you get the maximum out of every spray applied.

Coverage and plant-pesticide interactions: Systemic activity Some people appear to believe that using a systemic pesticide will automatically solve the very real problem

Trans-laminar/absorption/ superficial The difference between these three successive steps is in practice quite small, although they each are theoretically

distinct steps in the hierarchy of pesticide mobility. The difference is so small that a single pesticide can show a different mobility when used against different pests. Take Avid (abamectin) for instance. When used against leafrollers on kiwifruit, Avid appears to be trans-laminar, while against six-spotted mites (6SM) on avocados it appears only to be absorbed into the leaves. If it did display true translaminar activity when used against 6SM, it would radically improve control, as the lower surface of the leaves where the vast majority of mites occur, is the worst place to reach with a spray. In part this apparent change in chemical mobility in different situations is due to the differing basic biology of each pest. The mite probes into the upper layers of leaf cells and dines on the contents of these. So 6SM can only reach nearby residues of Avid, those that result from spray droplets that land on the lower leaf surfaces where the mites live. However, a leafroller caterpillar of sufficient size to cause damage takes bites that reach right through a leaf and so the caterpillar ingests Avid that has moved into the leaf from spray droplets that reach either surface. Pest-pesticide interactions The majority of pesticides pass into an insect or mite through both direct contact of the pest with a spray or its residues and also when the pesticide is eaten by the pest. In the field it is generally impossible to be sure which route is more important, and such a distinction rarely matters. However there are some circumstances that do rely specifically on a particular route. Chemical barriers depend on a contact effect; examples are surface treatments with synthetic pyrethroids such as to the inside of aircraft and to the trunks of citrus trees to prevent Fuller’s rose weevils climbing into the trees and

By Dr David Steven IPM Research Ltd

work infesting fruit. The adults do not eat the treated surfaces, so that ingesting the pesticide is not possible. Specifically exploiting the ingestion route into a pest can also occur. It happens when systemic pesticides are applied to one part of a plant in order to achieve control elsewhere, such as when a systemic product is applied as a drench or is injected into a tree against a pest found in the canopy. The rate of pesticide used in such treatments is high to allow for the dilution as the active is spread into the canopy, and this high concentration may cause damage to the treated plant. Using systemic mobility in such a way can enable a pest to be treated when a spray is not possible, such as treating a pestinfested tree in a public place without exposing the population to the risks of spray drift. Overall This article is to help growers better understand how pesticides work, and some of the jargon that surrounds this subject. This will enable growers to select and use the best product for the job and achieve the maximum impact for every spray applied. Pesticide choice is becoming more important as the newer, more selective materials are also more expensive than old chemistry products, so that it makes good sense to ensure that these better products are used when needed and only then. As our established markets evolve and new markets are developed, it is also no longer possible to simply follow a spray programme designed as a recipe that will cope with the worst possible case. Instead you need to be able to adapt what is done to match the circumstances of your orchard.

Pesticide terms explained: Plant – pesticide interactions. These terms describe where the pesticide ends up when a plant is sprayed and show the potential of the chemical to move, but what occurs depends on the particular situation. The differences between trans-laminar/absorbed/ superficial can be slight so examples of these are indicative only. Systemic = moves through the plant. (i) Very few systemic pesticides move both up and down in a plant, travelling in both phloem and xylem. The only example I know is Movento (spirotetramat), which is not used on avocados but is familiar to kiwifruit growers as a very effective control of scales. (ii) Other systemic pesticides only move upwards, often from roots to leaves, travelling in the xylem. Movement is generally to parts of the plant where growth is occurring rather than simply spreading the pesticide throughout the plant. Examples are Calypso (thiacloprid) and Orthene (acephate). Trans-laminar = moves into and through the leaf. This is when a pest on one side of a leaf is affected by a spray applied only to the other side. Examples are Proclaim (emamectin benzoate) and Altacor (chlorantraniliprole). Absorbed = moves into but not through the leaf. An example is Prodigy (methoxyfenozide). Superficial = remains on the surface of the leaf or fruit. An example is Insecta-kill (silicon dioxide or diatomaceous earth).

Dr David Steven, IPM Research Ltd, PO Box 36-012, Auckland 0748, AvoPest: 0508 286 7378. dsteven@ipmresearch.co.nz

Pest – pesticide interactions. These terms describe how the pesticide gets into the pest. Contact activity. This is when a pesticide affects an insect or mite when applied directly onto it, as the pesticide moves through the pest’s cuticle or “skin”. An example is DEW (diazinon). Ingested activity. This is when a pesticide has to be eaten by the pest to affect it. Examples are Altacor (chlorantraniliprole) and Bio-Bit (Bt or Bacillus thuringiensis). Fumigant activity. This is a type of contact activity where the pesticide moves into the insect as a gas. Some pesticides after being applied to a surface can volatalise or evaporate, and in a few instances enough volatalises to cause a fumigant effect on nearby pests. Suffocating activity. This is another type of contact activity shown by oils, but mineral oils also move into the pest through ordinary contact action. The different categories within each group are not mutually exclusive but overlap to various degrees depending on the combination of pesticide, pest and crop involved. Many if not most chemicals show both contact and ingested activity, although some with ingested activity work only or mainly in this way. Growers should not focus on a particular characteristic but aim at obtaining maximum control from the overall impact as shown in field trials. Categories of plant - pesticide interaction are given above in a hierarchy from the most mobile to the least. The hierarchy means that a mobile pesticide can show all less mobile types of movement, but not the features distinguishing a higher level; for example a trans-laminar insecticide will also show absorbed and superficial effects, but not systemic effects.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author. 21

Tech transfer update The main topic for the November grower field days was nutrient management post fruit set and how to manage various scenarios. The recently released Reading Your Trees guide was presented in each region by a contributor to the book, focusing on the post fruit set period and referencing those sections of the book relevant to the tree phenology. Growers were asked to bring their book along so they could follow the examples and compare with trees in the orchard where the field day was held. Nutrition, including soil science, was covered briefly with an emphasis on soil pH and nutrient availability. Under cold New Zealand conditions, higher N and good K levels increase plant tolerance. Trees suffering from phytophthora infection are more susceptible to cold

conditions. Managing nutrition for trees following various scenarios was discussed. For example, after a heavy crop harvest and a further heavy fruitset, the tree will require a higher nitrogen input to sustain vegetative growth. Without this growth there will be less summer flush and wood for the following season’s crop. Methods of frost protection and tree management following frost events were also covered in the BOP where many growers had been severely affected. A description of the types of frost was covered and how these be best managed. The use of copper sprays a few days before frost events reduces the level of ice nucleating bacteria and a significant reduction of frost damage. Use of overhead sprinklers was also covered as an effective method of frost control. Timing of phosphonate injection in spring and autumn was covered with an emphasis on understanding phenological growth cycles. Very sick trees should be injected in both the early spring and autumn period while healthier trees in

the autumn period, preferably. Sticking to the label rates and injection were also stressed as these are the accepted registered methods. High concentrations were discouraged as there is anecdotal evidence that the high phosphonate levels in the tree are more likely to result in poor responses than healthy responses. There is a risk in the spring injection period that flower tissue is a strong sink for phosphonate. For this reason injection should not be done past late July/early August. In summary February/March is a more suitable time to inject once the summer flush has hardened off and the root flush becomes the dominant sink for phosphorous acid. AvoGreen was covered briefly with the objectives being outlined. These include: 1. Increased pack-out where insect damage is reduced due to crop monitoring, especially at high risk periods. 2. Reduced risk of quarantine issues

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There was a great turn-out for the Katikati field day.

By AIC Tech Transfer Paul Brookbanks pbrookbanks@nzavocado.co.nz

especially the cost associated with failing an AQIS inspection. 3. Achieving all market access. Pest monitoring as a justification to spray is a key method used internationally which adapts pest control to the actual pest situation found on a particular orchard. Action thresholds are established to keep pest populations below the level of economic loss and monitoring is done in a structured manner to get an actual measure of the level of pest present. This helps to determine whether it warrants a spray or not. Lastly, justifying a spray other than by monitoring. Below are specific examples of when a spray is allowed without monitoring. Further situations will be investigated during the implementation phase for universal AvoGreen. a) When the threshold for greenhouse thrips is exceeded, a second spray without monitoring is allowed provided it is applied between 14-30 days after the first

Greenhouse Thrip

spray (between 15 – 21 days is ideal). b) One leafroller spray is allowed during this period because this is a critical time for damage when fruit starts to touch and also as there can be few fruit sites to monitor. c) One spray with a label claim against armoured scale can be applied using reject analysis from the previous season. The above topics are available on the industry website as documents if you wish to print off or download. The November AIC Field Days are the last for the year but a further round will commence in February 2012. I would like to thank growers for supporting the field days as well as those growers who have kindly opened their gates and kitchens to host the events. Also, a big thanks to the guest speakers for their time in preparation and presentation World Avocado Congress I had the privilege of attending the VII World Avocado Congress in Cairns

ROOT TESTING FOR PHOSPHONATE FRUIT TESTING FOR PESTICIDES LEAF TESTING FOR NUTRIENTS SOIL TESTING FOR MINERALS

• • • •

during September with growers and other AIC staff. This was a fantastic opportunity to meet with researchers, colleagues and hear the latest in avocado research. Of particular interest to me was the work done by Plant & Food Researchers on bee pollination and the mobility of boron in the phloem, with the presence of specific sugars. There was also some interesting research into root anoxia (oxygen deprivation of roots) due to excessive rain or heavy, poor draining soils. The Mid North and South Auckland soils are prone to this condition and often phytophthora is misdiagnosed when in fact it is root anoxia. This work highlighted to me the importance of ground preparation prior to planting and if not done, growers will be struggling to get trees to perform no matter what injection or fertiliser is thrown at them. Also new rootstocks tolerant to phytophthora will struggle as well.

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Mike and Megan Allan see growing avocados as a good way to bring in income in their retirement.

Making the most of their Experimenting with different planting regimes is part of Mike and Megan Allan’s attempt to reach a goal of producing a rolling five-year average of 15 tonnes of avocados per hectare. The couple entered the avocado industry 13 years ago when they purchased a 4.5 hectare block at Waiau Pa in the Franklin District. However they soon discovered this was not going to be large enough for what they wanted to do, so in 2004 they bought a larger 8ha property. There are 3.5ha of producing trees on their orchard, aged between five and nine years old, and another hectare is just coming on stream. A development block was established last year with a combination of Hass on Dusa, Hass on seedling Zutano and Zutano pollinators. A new trial block is about to be planted with Maluma, taking the total number of trees on the orchard to just under 1000. The block is irrigated but fertiliser is applied by hand or spreader. While producing a good income is important to the Allans, they still consider themselves not much more than lifestyle orchardists because of the modest size of their operation. Mike carries out most of the day-to-day orchard management himself but says running the property is definitely a joint effort with Megan, who carries out pest monitoring and other tasks as required. Mike says they knew almost nothing about growing avocados when they bought their first orchard. “It was a huge learning curve, but 24

sometimes it’s good not knowing anything other than what you’ve learnt from growing the odd tomato and lettuce. When your mind is that open, you absorb a lot very quickly.” He first discovered avocado orchards in the 1970s when he was working as a land surveyor on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. “At that time people there generally believed avocado trees only lasted seven years and then they died. It is now clear that it was because of phytophthora. That’s why I didn’t get involved at that time.” When he returned to New Zealand and met Megan, neither had a superannuation plan but they realised their property in Greenlane was worth nearly as much as a larger site in Franklin where they had the opportunity to generate an income from the land. They chose Waiau Pa because it was serviced by a very supportive team from Team Avocado, there was a packhouse nearby and professionals and labour close in Pukekohe. The Allans looked at a number of different crops but kept coming back to avocados. Michael says the people, support structures and infrastructure in the avocado industry held great appeal. “Avocados also seemed like they wouldn’t be as much hard work as other crops like persimmons or kiwifruit. And we weren’t interested in selling (produce). We wanted to focus on growing and have others market the crop. “We’ve never ever regretted it, even in years when returns have been low. From our perspective, nothing comes close.” Mike says it is only in recent times they have gained the confidence to try new ideas that have a lasting effect, such as experimenting with different planting spaces from the 7 metres by 7 metres

generally recommended by the Avocado Industry Council. “When the value of land approaches $50,000 an acre makes it increasingly hard to justify purchase of a block purely for economic horticultural use. “Adding the fact that you can live there does makes a difference, but it’s still hard to justify spending that much purely on economic grounds. So it’s important to use the land you have got as best you can and not have acres of grass to mow. “Seven metres by seven metres is fine until the trees get to five or six years old, then you start to see significant crowding, resulting in shading and loss of light to the lower parts of the tree.” He believes rows 9 or 10 metres apart are probably ideal, with tree spacing within the rows to suit how each individual wants to run their orchard. If you want a reasonably close hedgerow, space trees five metres apart; but if you want a series of more open trees that only touch here and there, 10 metre spacing is better. With increased row spacings, thinning may not be required. “Whatever you do, you’re going to have to prune at some stage.” The Allans’ orchard is a mixture of different tree spacings. Most are planted at 7m x 7m but some are 10m x 5m. The trees in the 7 x 7 blocks will need thinning, either by removing every second row, or on the diagonal as outlined in the AIC’s Grower Manual. Thinning on the diagonal is problematic for growers in the Franklin District as most orchards there are humped and hollowed to increase top soil depth and improve drainage away from the trees’ root structure. If an orchard was thinned on the diagonal, earthworks would have to be re-done to allow a tractor to drive in the hollows between the humps.

Mike and Megan are experimenting with double rows of Hass on Dusa.

By Natasha Mitchell natasha@thesun.co.nz

land The couple is now experimenting with higher density planting in their new blocks. “It’s quite different to what some of the South Americans do, where they can have densities approaching 800 or so trees a hectare. Our vegetative climate and soils do no suit that sort of density. Here 400 to 500 trees is a dense planting - certainly I think that is dense,” says Mike. “What we’ve done is establish a series of double rows, with access between double rows.” A series of 6m humps have been created with two rows planted on them with 4m spacings between these double rows. Trees are 4-4.5m apart in a row, but are off-set to allow spray penetration access. “Whether that’s going to work or not I don’t know but we’re trying it.

This illustration of the planting layout on the Allan’s development block shows the 6m wide, humped double rows with 4m hollows. The coloured dots represent the 10m x 10m grid of Hass on Dusa or Maluma trees.

“We will have to be pretty severe with the chainsaw or loppers. But as our consultant Colin Partridge reminds us, if you have twice the number of trees, you only need half the amount of fruit per tree to get the same yield.” The trees in this high density planting area are all Hass (except the Zutano pollinators) and will be kept under four metres high so that all picking can be done from the ground. Within the block Hass on Dusa have been planted in a 10m x 10m grid. “If it doesn’t work and we can’t get close to 15 tonnes per hectare, we could pull out everything but the Dusa and be left with a 10 by 10 spacing.” They will adopt the same grid in the new Maluma block but says because it is a more compact tree and doesn’t grow long branches sideways, it should be better suited to high density planting - at least that’s what overseas experience has shown. Mike and Megan have hosted field days on their property and were involved in the recently published ‘Reading Your Trees’ guide. It is a good way to give back to an industry where they have found people to be exceptionally open and helpful. “I’ve come to realise that very, very few of the problems are new. They’re all old problems, though they are always ‘new’ when experienced by growers for the first time. So it’s pretty easy to get help.” The couple believe overall the industry is in a good position: the AIC is doing the job the industry requires; exporters have made moves to cooperate for the greater good; and packhouses have installed things like water-blasting equipment to make export fruit as clean as it can be. However there are still challenges to be faced. “One issue that crops up every year, year

after year, is the dumping of fruit on the local market early in the season. Immature fruit turns brown, is watery and tastes awful and it just kills the local market.” Another issue is the increasing cost of getting involved in the industry because of high land and development costs. Orchard gate returns may also decrease in the future if New Zealand faces possible competition from South America in its major market, Australia. Meanwhile the costs of sprays, fertiliser and labour are all increasing. The Allans hope to manage their orchard to achieve consistent yields. “We want 100 tonne off this block,” says Mike. “That’s our goal for the 2012/13 season. But the ongoing goal is to achieve consistency.” This year he expects their final production to be approximately 20 tonnes per hectare but last season production was only 12t/ha, due largely to frosts in June 2009. “Because of the frosts that winter, it looks like we could be heading into a biennial cycle but we’re doing what we can to overcome that. I’m convinced biennial bearing is for the most part caused by climate.” Like most of the growers in the Franklin District, they achieve consistently high pack-out rates. Mike believes that there are a number of reasons why this is the case, including: the quality of advice from both local grower Graham Coles who ran the local packhouse and consultant Colin Partridge; 2) the high percentage of orchards under 10 years old, which means these newer growers have learnt from other growers’ mistakes; the fact pest pressure is reduced because orchards are not adjacent to other orchards. 25

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L DECEMBE

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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

MARCH 2010

JUNE/JULY 2010 ERS’ CADO GROW A L A N D AV O THE NEW ZE

JOURNAL

summer Inside this Issue

Export and local markets PDA’s and crop monitoring Insidel thi s Issu l New l Using pheromone traps products and services e l Add an Avo this Summer l Lea froller mo nitoring l

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Mechanica l labour clan Health ks closer

benefits of avo prawn and avocado bit cados serves: 6 es

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prep time: 5 minutes cook time: n/a

1 avocado, rough ly chopped 2 tablespoo ns reduced fat mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon wasabi past e 12 cooked praw ns, peeled and tail left on

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Inside this Issue

For more easy

recipe ide as,

6 slices pump ernickel bread into 4cm round cut s 12 pieces pickl ed ginger dill sprigs Method:

• Mash together avoca mayonnaise

do, and wasa

• place a dollop of avocabi.

do mixture on each round , top with a and garnish prawn with ginger.

visit adda navo.com

Make sure you book your advertising space for the next issue of Avoscene due out in March 2012. Contact Daphne at Sun Media on 07 578 0030 or email daphne@thesun.co.nz. Booking deadline is March 5th.

motion update The domestic promotion campaign has gained some real momentum during the last month with positive stories about avocados popping up daily. Qualitative research We needed to understand the motivations and barriers to avocado purchase among New Zealand consumers as well as gain feedback about the Australian Add An Avo marketing material we had proposed to implement in New Zealand. In September we commissioned qualitative research in the form of focus groups and supermarket walkabouts (researchers shadow participants on their trip around the grocery store). Key findings from these activities: • Lack of information: there is virtually nothing in supermarkets and other fruit retailers to tell consumers how many days until ripe to eat and the fact is many consumers cannot decipher this on their own. Because of this, avocados are viewed as a risky purchase. • Lack of usage ideas: avocado is not something consumers can remember their mother using in meals therefore there is a lack of familiarity. Because avocado is not part of the Kiwi psyche, it can be difficult for New Zealanders to think beyond the summer basics (salad). • Consumers do not identify with the word “Avo”: the Australian market knows what an “Avo” is, New Zealanders don’t and nor do we abbreviate words as much as Australia; therefore we swiftly tweaked the campaign slogan to Add An Avocado. Facebook www.facebook.com/ nzavocado As of 05 December the NZ Avocado Facebook page has 2873 “Likes” meaning there are 2873 people that we can directly communicate with about avocados. The initial target set was to get 200 Likes a month - October saw more than 600 likes and November more than 900. Check out the page to see what consumers have been saying about avocados.

Twitter www.twitter.com/ nz_avocado NZ Avocado Twitter page has 50 followers - these are mostly media organisations and professional organisations rather than consumers. Media organisations use Twitter to pick up quickly on trends and story ideas. Relationship established with Kidicorp Plunket has proved difficult to break into but we will keep working on this. The one fall back is that avocado is in the Thriving Under Five booklet, so avocados already have exposure to this market from that. Childcare corporation Kidicorp is very willing to be involved with us and has organised four avocado-themed days for four centres in Auckland. We will be providing an avocado tree for them to plant, giving a talk on avocados and providing ripe avocados for their avocadothemed lunch. The centres will be running their own avocado

NZ Avocado was there for the 5 + A Day launch of Fruit and Vege month in November at Britomart in Auckland.

events for the majority of the day. We will involve the parents by providing an avocado hamper for a raffle and a recipe competition and handing out our recipe and information booklet developed especially for kids and babies. 5 + A Day and October Avocado Month Throughout October 5 + A Day promoted our Facebook page and posted updates on their Facebook page about avocados. We also supplied 5 + A Day with avocado recipes to distribute to its contacts. When 5 + A Day launched its Fruit and Vege month (November) in Britomart in Auckland, NZ Avocado was there in branded t-shirts, handing out

By AIC communications manager Midge Munro mmunro@nzavocado.co.nz

ripe avocados and information flyers to passing people. The relationship with 5 + A Day will continue through the season. Avocados on show We have been supplying a number of celebrity chefs and food writers with avocados for use on TV and in photo shoots. For a very small investment we have had great results. One example is Annabelle White using them on TV One’s Breakfast. Julie Biuso We have become involved with wellknown chef Julie Biuso who has provided us with recipes, endorsement quotes and some of her cookbooks to give away. Supermarkets We are assessing the top 20 supermarkets in Auckland against a set of criteria pertaining to quality of display, selection and ripening information for consumers, knowledge of produce manager etc. This will indicate what gaps there are here. Katikati Avocado Festival The Katikati Avocado Festival is on Saturday 15 January at the Uretara Domain in Katikati. NZ Avocado will have a bigger and better presence at this festival in 2012. Celebrity chef Peter Blakeway will be joining us for cooking demonstrations, there will be a guacamole competition, ripeness display, Mr Avocado Head activity for children, information, recipes, free smoothies and guacamole, plus the festival organisers will be running an avocado recipe competition. We will collect competition entries for our website. We are also very keen for packhouses to be involved in this day, so please contact Jack Crozier if you are interested. For details on tickets, competitions and entertainment visit www.avofest.co.nz Involvement with marketers Local marketers are starting their promotion programmes and we are working with them to provide Add An Avocado artwork for sampling stands for upcoming demonstrations in Countdown stores. They will hand out Add An Avocado recipe flyers and wear Add An Avocado branded apparel. 27

By AIC communications manager Midge Munro mmunro@nzavocado.co.nz

Export market promotion update Australia - Sampling The majority of in-mall consumer tasting events have now been completed, the two remaining Queensland activations will be held in the new year. By the end of the programme we will have spent 33 days in front of consumers in 11 locations through VIC, NSW and QLD. Scrambled egg and avocado wraps and avocado tzatziki dip with tomato on crackers (or cucumber for those gluten-free tasters) were used to entice consumers. They were also given a recipe flyer with the instructions for making these creations at home. At many centres, the Add an Avo Everyday stand was conveniently located next to a supermarket - many of whom got

on board and moved extra displays outside their stores to take advantage of our promotion. One Coles store gave feedback that it sold out of avocados on the first day of our promotion in the centre. Most fruit outlets noticed an increase of activity at their avocado stand and an increase in sales on the days the tastings were held. 9550 samples were given over the four Victoria sites and numbers for NSW and QLD will be updated in the next issue of Avoscene. Zoe Bingly-Pullin, Australian TV personality and the Australian Avocados nutritional spokesperson, made a huge impression at the sampling stand. She will attend eight Saturdays of sampling in total and lead the demonstrations through the busy part of the day. Her knowledge of the health benefits and usages of avocados is very engaging as has been illustrated by

the crowd that draws whenever she is on the stand. Public Relations Press releases will be sent out to relevant media throughout our season providing information and recipes to media which they can then use to create stories and spread the Add An Avo message. Zoe has also been involved in ‘radio drops’ of avocados where she has then been interviewed about avocados on popular radio shows. We have also held an informative media barbecue lunch at Centennial Park in Sydney on 15 November. The objective of this event was to demonstrate the versatility of avocados and inspire media/bloggers, to communicate the campaign’s call to action ‘Add an Avo’ and to communicate seasonal relevance and provide uses in summer. The barbecue was an interactive cooking class with a chef who showed the media how to prepare the dishes which they were then able to eat. Participants were able to learn about avocados through hands-on activities, as well as from keynote speaker Zoe Bingley-Pullin. All guests each took home some avocados to experiment with, an ‘Add an Avo’ summer media release, fact sheet and recipe plans and a take home gift of an avocado slicer tool. Bloggers were offered a complimentary tray of avos/a barbecue hamper to give away to their readers via an online competition on their blog. The gift packs also included all fresh ingredients required to make one batch of one recipe demonstrated on the day (to encourage media to file quickly) or Coles/Woolworths vouchers, to further encourage repeat trial and taste. Some comments from guests: “Thanks for having me at the barbecue yesterday; I did learn a few things about

avocados which was great. Especially happy that eating a whole avocado a day is approved by Zoe! I was inspired by some of her ideas and am working on some quick avocado recipes for early Feb. 2012.” Woman’s Day “It was a really nice event and the food was lovely. I have suggested to my editor that we make an avocado collection in our recipe collections online.” Taste.com.au Magazines Full page advertisements have been placed in popular foodie magazines, Australian Good Taste and Super Food Ideas in December and January issues. Japan The media launch event held 27 September at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo attracted 38 members of the media - 23 importer/customers and 9 representatives from the NZ industry. Following the event we have so far received 4.4m JPY worth of exposure (we spent 3.6m JPY on the event) in print and online media. The event started with an introductory video playing. This was made especially for the event and was shot at avocado growers Dave and Julie Flett’s Property Jeda Lodge www.jedalodge.co.nz Thanks to Dave and Julie for letting us take over their lovely home and lodge for a day. The video features shots of NZ scenery and avocado harvest and packing as well as a range of delicious avocado dishes being enjoyed by children and adults in the beautiful Bay of Plenty setting. The video was designed to show the Japanese where our avocados are grown and show what can be done with them. This video can be viewed on our Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/ nzavocado titled “Delicious NZ Avocados”. 29

Congress a ch VII World Avocado Congress The most important event on the global avocado calendar, the VII World Avocado Congress was held in Cairns, Australia 5-9 September 2011, hosted by Avocados Australia at the Cairns Convention Centre. In the tropical Queensland setting, more than 800 delegates from 15 countries came together to share their expertise, learn new techniques and make new business contacts and, for those invited to our New Zealand evening, enjoy Kiwi hospitality. The World Avocado Congress is the ultimate international forum for worldwide avocado and allied industry stakeholders to exchanges ideas. One hundred and fifteen presentations were given over three days from leading industry experts in the fields of genetic resources, pests and diseases, culture management, post harvest/processing, marketing and the commercial stream. New Zealand experts part of the oral presentation line-up were Jeremy Burdon (Plant & Food Research), Lisa Cork (Fresh Produce Marketing), Lisa Evans (P&F), Kerry Everett (P&F), Henry Pak (AIC), Juan Rosales (AIC), Jen Scoular (AIC) and Grant Thorp (P&F). AIC CEO Jen Scoular says the AIC’s presentations were praised by attendants and added to New Zealand’s reputation of growing good quality fruit. “With our participation we have positively promoted NZ avocados,” says Jen. The AIC Board and five AIC staff attended the congress, bringing back valuable contacts and information to enrich their projects. “I believe the information brought back from the Conference presentations particularly relating to new plant material will be of benefit to the wider industry going forward. Also as a Board member I believe it is vitally important to be interacting with our counterparts on the international stage,” says AGA At Large representative and AIC Board member Roger Barber. AIC outreach coordinator Paul Brookbanks has already been able to share some of what he learnt at the congress. “Growers have benefited from information I picked up from the congress through content presented at field days. Interacting with other delegates helps cement relationships and communication between countries; this could assist access to useful information in the future.” “It has broadened my understanding of quality issues and the way other countries are facing them,” says Jen. “This will help me to assist the growers, packers and exporters on quality issues.” The congress also gave NZ industry attendees a chance to compare our industry and the work it is doing to that of international counterparts. 30

By AIC communications manager Midge Munro mmunro@nzavocado.co.nz

hance to exchange ideas

Chairmen; John Schnackenberg (NZAGA & AIC), Charley Wolk (CAC), Jim Kochi (AAL).

Juan Rosales, Jen Scoular, Carol Lovatt (University of California Riverside), Kerry Everett (Plant and Food).

Dave Flett (Tauranga grower) “The congress was fantastic for someone like me (new to the industry). The seminar and presentation choice was amazing, covering every thing a grower could wish for (and more).” - Dave Flett.

Mike Eagles - (Mid North AGA Rep. “I thought the New Zealand reception was excellent and the Thursday field day trip also.”

“It was really good to see that what we do here in New Zealand to maintain fruit quality is consistent with what other countries are doing,” says AIC quality coordinator Juan Rosales. “I also noticed that other countries look up to what New Zealand - particularly the AIC and Plant and Food - are doing in terms of research and quality management.” “Much of the science presentations confirmed what we already knew about pollination, boron sprays, pruning practice and growth inhibitors and confirmed our best practice is correct,” says Mid North AGA representative and AIC director Mike Eagles. A highlight of the congress was the NZ reception hosted by us with generous support from Team Avocado, Seeka, Freshco, Just Avocados and Amcor. The aim of the evening was to present the NZ avocado industry on a global stage and to raise our profile in the minds of international avocado industry participants. The event showcased New Zealand wine and food which was very well received by the 150 guests comprising of NZ delegates and invited international contacts. AIC export director John Carroll believes events like these and attending the congress are important for NZ’s reputation. “This interaction ensures NZ remains seen as a stable and valued international participant,” says John. Having this event early in the congress week allowed those contacts made to be built on during the congress and it became a talking point for attendees. “It was well attended and will be remembered by those who came and enjoyed our hospitality,” says Jen. “All the feedback I heard was very positive both from the New Zealanders present and guests,” says Mike. “This was a highly successful event and well worth the effort, time and expense involved,” says Roger. “This considerably lifted the profile of

the New Zealand contribution to the congress and achieved a lot of positive feedback from those who attended. It also had the effect of uniting the New Zealand contingent which was otherwise splintered into many small interest groups.” “I only heard very positive feedback on the reception,” says Paul. “One grower referred to it as the highlight of the Congress as it presented NZ so well in its culture.” Delegates of the VII World Avocado Congress also had the opportunity to enjoy an extensive social programme including a field trip and cultural activity, as well as a Gala Dinner. The Field Trip visited working avocado farms on the Atherton Tablelands followed by an afternoon exploring beautiful Kuranda and the Rainforestsation Nature Park. The congress ended with a gala dinner where delegates were entertained with sounds of Latin America and the fabulous dancing of the South American contingent. Congress sponsors were Primor Produce (NZ), Avocados from Mexico (MX), Costa Exchange (AU) and Mission Produce (US). Following the conclusion of the congress, the post congress tour to New Zealand commenced. Fourteen Central and South American delegates travelled to NZ to experience our industry. APEAM the Mexican growers’ board also made the trip. Peru will be the host nation for the next World Avocado Congress in 2015. Prohass, the Peruvian avocado growers association, won over the attendees at the VII World Avocado Congress during its week-long promotion to the delegates, climaxing in a video of vibrant and engaging scenes from Peru. Avocado organisations from Colombia and United States also made bids to host the next WAC. “The goal is big and we want to organise the best world congress yet – we have the conditions to do it,” says ProHass general manager Arturo Medina. 31

Research Highlights from th Role of insects under the microscope Recent research to better understand insects’ role in pollinating avocados could help improve pollination systems and assist growers to manage the effects of alternate bearing. New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research scientist Lisa Evans presented a research paper at the World Avocado Congress entitled ‘The role of insect pollinator in avocado pollination in New Zealand and Australia’. She says enhanced pollination in ‘off’ flowering years has the potential to help mitigate the effects of alternate bearing. Mature Hass avocado trees produce more than one million flowers each flowering season but only a very small percentage, less than 0.3%, become fruit. Research in New Zealand and Spain has shown hand pollination can produce a fruit set of around 5%, which suggests that pollination is one factor limiting fruit set. Last spring Lisa and fellow scientists Mark Goodwin and Brad Howlett conducted a study across two Australian orchards and one in New Zealand, allowing them to look at pollination systems under different growing conditions. In New Zealand, Hass

is sometimes planted with Bacon, Zutano and Fuerte pollinisers, but in Australia the use of pollinisers is less common. They looked at the types and numbers of insects visiting avocado flowers, when the flowers were visited in relation to flower opening, the numbers of pollen grains transferred by insects, and the proportion of insect visitors carrying avocado pollen. The aim was to use this information to assess whether there is capacity to increase pollination, and therefore the fruit set of avocado, which would be advantageous in ‘off’ flowering years. In New Zealand they found 97% of flower visits were by honey bees, while in Australia 50% of the visitors were hover flies, 38% were honey bees, and 12% of the visits were from other insects (flies other than hover flies and native bees). In New Zealand, 18% of flowers did not receive any insect visits while open during the female phase, and no pollen grain deposition was recorded on a further 68% of visited flowers. In Australia, 100% of flowers observed at the female stage received an insect visit and pollen was transferred as long as male Hass flowers were available. However, the total number of pollen grains transferred onto female phase flowers by visiting insects was low in both countries, approximately 4 and 6 pollen grains in New Zealand and Australia respectively. It is thought that 20 are

needed to produce a fruit. The bees they caught on male phase Bacon flowers were carrying large numbers of avocado pollen grains, whereas there were far fewer on the bees caught on female phase flowers. This suggests that the latter bees had not recently visited a male phase flower and as a result few pollen grains were available to be transferred onto avocado stigmas. Lisa says the low number of insect visits, in New Zealand, and the low number of pollen grains transferred to flowers in both countries may be factors that limit pollination and consequently fruit set in these countries. She says further research will be undertaken to determine the effectiveness of different insects at pollinating avocado flowers and to look at the overlap between male and female phase flowers, under various climatic conditions. “If under current growing conditions there are times when not enough pollen is being transferred, then there is potential to better manage pollination of avocado, thus increasing fruit production in ‘off’ flowering years.” You can read the full research paper presented at the World Avocado Congress at: http://worldavocadocongress2011.com/ userfiles/file/Lisa%20Evans%2010 50-1110.pdf

A closer look at fungi and fruit rots Dr Kerry Everett from New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research presented a paper entitled ‘Analysis of populations of fungi on avocado leaves and their relationship with avocado fruit rots at harvest’. The following is the abstract from this paper. You can read the full research paper presented at the World Avocado Congress at: http://worldavocadocongress2011.com/ userfiles/file/Kerry%20Everett%2010 30-1050.pdf 32

Avocado leaves were harvested from eight avocado orchards from four growing districts in New Zealand during 2006, 2007, 2008. The number of isolations of fungi from sterilised leaf discs was compared with postharvest fruit rots. There was a strong relationship between time period over which leaf discs were collected and the strength of the relationship between number of isolations and final fruit rots. There was a weak, but significant,

relationship between isolations from leaf discs and the mean daily temperature when the samples were collected, DNA was extracted from sampled leaves and analysed using two methods; surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR was more sensitive than SPR. The relationship between final fruit rots and crossing threshold (Ct) values was significant if the data were analysed by district.

he World Avocado Congress Fungus affects Australian avocados Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation principal plant pathologist Dr Elizabeth Dann presented a paper entitled ‘Phellinus Noxius: a basidiomycete fungus impacting productivity of Australian avocados’.

agent in many undisturbed rainforests in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. However, in avocado and many other hosts, such as Ficus sp., jacaranda, lychee, mango and hoop pine, it can cause rapid decline and death. Leaves may transform from green and healthy to wilted and dead within a few weeks. Often an “infection stocking” is observed as a brown encrustation advancing up the trunk, sometimes with a white margin in high rainfall months when the fungus is actively growing. P. noxius can survive in woody root debris in the soil for many years, and brown root rot is commonly spread by roots coming into contact with such infested material. The possibility of spread by airborne spores of the fungus landing on cut surfaces, for example pruning wounds, is under investigation. Attempts to replant into sites where

Elizabeth says brown root rot of avocado has become a major production constraint to many growers in the Atherton Tablelands, Bundaberg/Childers and Northern NSW areas of Australia. It is caused by the fungus Phellinus noxius, which is a common recycling

trees have been removed commonly fail. Currently, the only way to manage brown root rot is to limit the spread by effectively quarantining dead and dying trees and installing root barriers. We have just commenced long-term field trials to investigate management options, including biofumigation of the soil, mulching and tree injections with candidate fungicides. We are also studying the effect of inoculation with the fungus on different avocado rootstocks and other hosts, in an attempt to identify more tolerant rootstocks or alternatives to avocado in severely affected blocks. You can read the full research paper presented at the World Avocado Congress at: http://worldavocadocongress2011.com/ userfiles/file/Elizabeth%20Dann%2012 10-1230.pdf

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N U T R I O L O G Y

The effect of high pressure waterblasting on avocado fruit quality Introduction The discovery of an incursion of Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) in California in 2008 necessitated that the New Zealand avocado industry implement a risk mitigation plan for continued access to the USA. This is based on the use of waterblasters to remove live larvae and eggrafts. A series of studies were undertaken over 2009 and 2010 to investigate the impact of water blasting on fruit quality. Electron micrograph study This study was conducted to determine the impact of waterblasting, if any, on changes in surface morphology of avocado fruit. Six fruit were subjected to one of three waterblasting pressures; untreated (2 fruit), 400 psi (2 fruit), and 680 psi (2 fruit). The waterblaster pressures were chosen to represent low (400 psi) and high (680 psi) pressure in a commercial situation. These two treatments were compared with an untreated control. Both the waterblasted fruit and the untreated control were then examined under an electron microscope for evidence of wax removal. Much of the surface of the untreated fruit was covered in a thick layer of lumpy wax, debris, insect parts, fungal spores and hyphae as seen in Figure 1. The white crystalline structures seen scattered over the surface are presumed to be wax crystals. Both water blasting treatments were effective in removing surface contaminants but also seemed to remove some of the coarse lumpy wax. There was more wax removed from the fruit that was water blasted at the higher pressure, exposing more of the crystalline structure. Removal of the lumpy wax exposed wax platelets and crystals as shown in Figure 3. The 400psi treatment was not as effective at cleaning the fruit surface as the 680 psi treatments as is evidenced by several micrographs showing remnant fungal structures adhering to the surface of the fruit. While the 680psi treatment was more effective at cleaning fruit in some cases this lead to microperforations of the outer cuticle structure. A further study was undertaken to determine if the changes to the surface morphology of the fruit affected fruit weight loss during storage. Fruit weight loss study A total of 120 fruit were harvested from one orchard and randomly packed into trays of 20 fruit. Within four hours of harvest each 34

tray of fruit was water blasted at one of five pressures. The waterblaster pressures were as follows; 300, 400, 500, 600 and 680psi together with an untreated control. All fruit were weighed and placed in a temperature controlled cabinet at 20°C for 48 hours to maximize any weight loss before storing at 5°C. The fruit were weighed every day for 13 days. The results showed that there was no significant difference in fruit weight loss between the waterblasted treated fruit and the untreated control fruit as shown in Fig. 3. Fruit quality study This study investigated the effect of waterblasting on fruit quality. A total of 200 fruit were harvested from one orchard. In order to minimise handling damage the fruit were carefully harvested by hand and placed directly into single layer trays lined with cardboard fruit plixes. Within 24 hours of harvest 100 fruit were waterblasted at maximum pressure (680psi) at a pack house in the Western Bay of Plenty. The remaining fruit were not waterblasted. All fruit were weighed and stored at 5°C for 28 days before removal to 20°C for ripening. On removal from storage the fruit were reweighed and assessed for external disorders. Fruit were then ripened and assessed for internal disorders once the fruit were eating ripe, as judged by hand feel, as per the AIC Fruit Quality Assessment Manual. Data was analysed using Excel and Minitab. There was a significant increase in the incidence of peel damage between the untreated control and the waterblasted treatment as shown in Fig. 4. Similarly there was a significant increase in the incidence of fuzzy patches between the waterblasted treatment and the untreated control. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of brown patches between any treatments. Fuzzy patches were not translating into brown patches and therefore the internal fruit quality was not being compromised i.e. the damage was cosmetic only. As with the fruit weight loss study there was no significant difference in weight loss between any of the treatments. Packhouse trial The finding that waterblasting was causing cosmetic fruit damage was investigated further. There were two objectives to this trial: 1. The extent to which waterblasters were causing damage to the fruit or impacting on fruit quality;

2. If there were any differences in the amount of fruit damage caused by the different types of waterblasters. Six waterblasters were assessed between October and November 2009. For each assessment three hundred fruit were carefully harvested by hand and directly placed into single layer trays lined with cardboard fruit plixes. Within 24 hours of harvest the fruit were waterblasted at six pack houses in the Western Bay of Plenty. Three of these packhouses had reciprocating waterblasters and three had rotary waterblasters. Each waterblaster assessment consisted of three treatments as follows; 1. A non-waterblasted control which was put into storage for 28 days at 5°C. 2. Fruit were placed on the grader after the bin dump and prior to the waterblaster. Fruit were run through the waterblaster without the waterblaster operating. The fruit was put into storage for 28 days at 5°C. 3. Fruit were placed on the grader after the bin dump and prior to the waterblaster. Fruit were run through the waterblaster with the waterblaster operating. The fruit was put into storage for 28 days at 5°C. All fruit were weighed before and after storage. All fruit were assessed for peel damage, fuzzy patches and brown patches as per the AIC Fruit Quality Assessment Manual. Data was analysed using Excel and Minitab.

Results and discussion Peel Damage There was a significant increase (P<0.05) in the incidence of peel damage between the untreated control and the waterblasted treatment. The non-waterblasted treatment was also significantly greater (P<0.05) than the untreated control (Fig. 5). However, there was no significant difference between the waterblasted and non-waterblasted treatments. This indicates that most peel damage was due to damage incurred by physical contact on the grading line, as opposed to the impact of waterblasting as such. Fuzzy patches The increase in incidence of peel damage for the waterblasted treatment resulted in a higher incidence in fuzzy patches compared with the untreated control (Fig. 6). The nonwaterblasted treatment was also significantly greater (P< 0.05) than the untreated control.

By AIC laboratory manager Toni Elmsly telmsly@nzavocado.co.nz .

Figure 1. Electron micrograph of untreated fruit (x 745 magnification). Note the lenticel opening. (Photo: Ian Hallett, Plant and Food Research)

Figure 3. Mean percentage fruit weight loss of fruit treated at various waterblaster pressures and fitted regression curves.

Figure 5. Comparison of mean incidence of peel damage between the three treatments (± mean standard error)

However, there was no significant difference between the waterblasted and the nonwaterblasted treatment. As with the peel damage it appears that the increase in fuzzy patches is due to physical damage from the grader and not the use of the waterblaster. More trial work is needed to confirm this. In considering individual packhouses there were significant differences in fuzzy patches both within and between waterblaster types. While carrying out the trial it was noted that there was marked variation in the degree of fruit drying achieved by the different packhouses. The relevance of surface wetness of fruit placed into storage on rot development was not assessed in this trial. The extent to which prochloraz residues may be diluted when applied to wet fruit is also under investigation. Further, the effect of sanitisers in the waterblaster tank also needs to be determined.

Figure 2. Electron micrograph of fruit treated at 680 psi (x 1010 magnification). Note exposed crystalline matrix. (Photo: Ian Hallett, Plant and Food Research)

Figure 4. Comparison of mean incidence of fruit disorders between the two treatments (± mean standard error)

Figure 6. Comparison of mean incidence of fuzzy patches between the three treatments (± mean standard error).

Rots (brown patches) Generally, an increase in fuzzy patches results in a higher level of ripe rots. However, in these trials there was no significant difference in the incidence of brown patches between any treatments (Fig. 7). Weight loss There was no significant difference in weight loss between any of the treatments. Comparison of waterblaster type The types of waterblaster (reciprocating and rotary) were compared for the main fruit disorders (peel damage, fuzzy patches and rots). No significant differences were found between the reciprocating and rotary waterblasters, for any disorders (Fig. 8) and there was no significant difference in weight loss between the waterblaster types.

Figure 8. Incidence of fruit disorders caused by waterblaster type (± mean standard error)

Figure 7. Comparison of mean incidence of brown patches between the three treatments (± mean standard error)

Conclusion Physical damage incurred on the grader appears to be causing most of the fruit damage and not the waterblasting process. This increases the level of peel damage resulting in an increase in fuzzy patches. However these did not develop into more rots, so the internal fruit quality was not compromised in these trials. A comparison of the two types of waterblaster indicated that there were no significant differences between the reciprocating and rotary waterblasters for any of the disorders examined, nor for weight loss. Further investigations are needed around the control of fuzzy patches. The addition of sanitizers in the waterblaster tank, the effectiveness of prochloraz when applied to wet fruit, and the variation in the degree of fruit drying, are some of the areas that will to be looked at in more detail. 35

Regional roundups Fellow growers: how do we gauge performance? Is it in tonnes per hectare, percentage of export trays per season or OGR? If it is the latter then is it how well the exporter has done and not you the grower. Do you know your exporter’s marketing plan before the season BAY OF PLENTY starts? Do you know what their five By Ashby Whitehead or ten year plan is? Looking into the future, do you think they can sell the increase in volume at value? As growers we need to start asking some questions of our exporters. All exporters need to have a strategic plan and share it with us the grower. They may well do this but do you know what it is? Does it involve new market development and if so, which markets are they and are they working on these markets at the moment? Are you as a grower prepared to take less for your fruit to help develop these new markets? If your exporter supplies the Aussie market; do they supply retail, wholesale or both? Do you know the wholesale market has a big influence over the price for the retail market? Aussie is the best returning market in the world but they can only take so much, as we are finding out this year, and if you are to believe the media releases they would like even less of our fruit in the future. So I think it is about time that we the growers start to learn more about where our fruit is going and not just drop it at the packhouse coolstore door and hope for the best. The industry has 14 registered exporters; some big, some small and there will never be only one. With that in mind we need to select our exporter very carefully. Don’t just judge on OGR. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration and developing new markets should certainly be high on the priority list and wouldn’t it be thoughtful to think of our fellow growers and their returns as well. All the best for a safe and happy summer. I write this regional roundup having just attended one of the industry field days at Mike Allan’s orchard Hukatere Road. A very well attended affair, as was the previous one at Don and Cherie Redgrave’s property at Ngataki. I believe these field days have evolved from the early ones into a worthwhile couple FAR NORTH of hours in which growers interact By Ian Broadhurst and have good discussion about all aspects of growing in the north, not only items which are on the agenda. Special thanks to those owners that 36

allow us onto their orchards, plus the guest speakers and Paul, who often travel to attend. The consensus at the field day was flowering is generally good with an overall nice balance of determinate and indeterminate flush on younger plantings. Older trees as a rule had a lighter flowering and very good flush which will the set the trees up next year for a heavy flowering. Overall most are happy with flowering and fruit set to date. Flowering this season has been quite different than previous years; it was noticeably later by probably two to three weeks and very short lived. Fruit set to date indicates a small earlier set while the bulk of the fruitlets appeared to have initiated at the same time and are match head size. Discussion at the field day revolved around irrigation, amongst other topics, but having sufficient water at this time is probably the most critical input in terms of retaining fruit. Fortunately most growers in the north have effective irrigation systems. It appears to have been a very dry spring and late winter, so attention to water management will play a big part in what crop will be available for next season. In general the spring has been cool with a prominence of South Westerly winds, which hasn’t been great for bee activity in areas exposed to the wind. Most hives are out of orchards now with flowering all but finished, allowing spray programmes to recommence. Most growers are well into picking programmes now and as a rule we have found an increase in wind rub, which has been one of the major defects affecting export pack-outs. Average size is again down, although strong demand in Japan for smaller fruit has allowed growers to maximise value and throughput. Pest pressure over spring has been manageable. A new range of chemicals has given growers more options to terms of control options and withholding periods. The new generation of mitecide sprays are showing very promising results, so with a little luck we will finally have an opportunity to have decent control of the six spotted mite issue, which in the past has been difficult to keep at acceptable levels.

Finally the Rugby World Cup has finished and my blood pressure is returning to normal and my wife thinks I am nearly acting normal again. What a final! Well the spring/ MID NORTH By Mike Eagles summer has arrived at last and the flowers are finally opening and the bees working. It has been a funny old spring; I still had a fire each night until not so long ago. Export picking is in full swing but unfortunately both the local market and the Australian market are not looking healthy at the moment. The local market has been ravaged again this year and requires a lot more discipline from growers, pack sheds and marketers or it will be permanently wrecked. It is a very difficult situation and we cannot afford to get it continually wrong as it keeps hitting us the growers in the pocket. The VII World Avocado Conference in Cairns was excellent. I am sure all the New Zealand growers who attended got considerable benefit from the conference. The organisation was outstanding and with such a huge range of speakers and topics, there was something for everyone. Field trips to visit avocado orchards were particularly interesting and showed the differences between New Zealand conditions and methods and Australian conditions and methods. We can learn from Australian practices as much as they can learn from ours. Meeting growers from all over the world and discussing varying growing methods and situations is invaluable for all growers. Cairns is a very nice place to visit and the convention centre is superb, the temperature after coming out of New Zealand was pretty good too. The Northern Advocate has speculated on the chances of another drought. I was at a meeting a week ago and the experts said it was highly unlikely we would have another drought this season and I would tend to believe them over a journalist. I would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the family of George Ford who died recently after a tragic

accident. George was a fellow avocado grower, a lovely man and a true gentleman. He will be sadly missed. Biosecurity responses – the value of relationships There are systems in place that are crucial for facilitating trade, which we perhaps often take for granted most of the time but AT LARGE they’re there working By Tony Ponder for us all hopefully in the good times and in those of adversity. Such systems and the required response resources don’t become relevant until a biosecurity alert occurs. The avocado industry has had its fair share of alerts in recent years with very good outcomes from a stakeholder perspective but we can’t be complacent in our thinking or planning around biosecurity – our very trade, your investment and our collective livelihoods depend on it. It’s very important to keep up relationships during the good times not just the bad, to develop that broad underlying understanding so when a difficulty arises we can work together with confidence, efficiency and trust to secure resolution. MAF has many parts; policy, trade certification, market assurance and diagnostics to name a few; and has a challenging task to stay relevant as it progresses through a significant restructuring and amalgamate with Food Safety and Fisheries. As people change we potentially lose the personal aspect of the relationship and consequently that confidence, clarity and crisp response that comes from this knowledge. Times are changing but let us not forget the value of doing the simple things right, including our border stakeholder relationships. Strategic planning – fundamental for the future prosperity of our industry. By the time you read this contribution the Board and the senior management team will have commenced the annual continued...

Regional roundups strategic planning activity. My focus will be on identifying those priorities and essential elements that are required for the future of this industry, what actions can be implemented effectively to deliver positive change and how do we communicate and inspire our stakeholders to get things done. What we do – our Mission, What you value – our Values; and where we want this industry to be, our Vision. These are fundamental to governance and the process of strategic review, your industry leadership gets your views through consultation and feedback so please reflect on your aspirations so we can deliver an outcome through the AIC objectives and goals that match those of a broad relevant section of the industry.

Congress As your representative I was appreciative of the opportunity to attend the recent VII World Avocado Congress in Cairns. While very different from Chile where the South American culture shone through, it was a very good learning experience, both in terms of the programme where I focussed on the post harvest and marketing and supply chain sessions, and the opportunity to maintain relationships across the global avocado producing countries. This learning and experience adds to your knowledge and hopefully contributes to my leadership contribution through a more informed, relevant and strategic perspective of the global avocado business and our future relevance and opportunities within it.

Continued

The industry welcomes John Cotterell to the AGA executive and AIC Board. Having been one of the close runners in the last election, John Cotterell felt he had good support to have another go at the At Large seat. His wide interaction in the industry also gave him the confidence to be put forward for the position. “The growers know my face. I am very rarely inside the office at Southern Produce, I am always on the road visiting growers.” In his new role as At Large Rep. and AIC director, John would like to encourage a greater contribution by growers to their industry. “There are growers who just pick the fruit, send it off and forget about it. They are making a living but are not really contributing.” John feels growers need to be made more aware that what they do with their fruit affects the returns. “I would like to see growers put

their TAG 3 fruit into processing and oil. Selling it for a cheap price only undermines the price of the quality fruit that other growers have supplied. I would like to see no TAG 3 fruit in the market at all.” In his grower support role at Southern Produce, John deals with growers in the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and South Auckland areas, talking and listening to growers and helping them with any orchard management options/ problems on a daily basis. John and his wife Cindy have lived on their 8.5ha avocado orchard near Katikati since 1998. Trees range from 1 to 30+ years old. John and Cindy manage the orchard, spraying, picking and applying most inputs themselves. John believes the industry is in an exciting phase. “With all that is going on with kiwifruit, there has been an increased interest in avocados as a crop, it will be interesting to see how the industry develops from here.”

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By Sheryl Brown sheryl@thesun.co.nz

Japan - learning to love avocados The consumption of avocados in Japan is growing, but the Japanese are still learning the best ways to eat the luxury fruit. In September, New Zealand exporter group AVANZA hosted the president of Japan’s largest avocado importer and other senior industry officials in the Bay of Plenty in a bid to strengthen their trade relationship. During the visit they went to several packhouses and supermarkets in an effort to see firsthand New Zealand’s avocado industry and how it works, including how the fruit they import is picked and packed. Mr Keizo Takahashi, president of the

leading Japanese supermarket Maruetsu, was part of the delegation of high ranking officials from Union Company, Maruetsu and distributor, Japan Fresh Foods. Mr Takahashi says because avocados have a high nutritional content, people are eating a lot more of them. In the past, fruit has not been a big part of Japanese meals. Now, they are taking measures to teach people about avocados, including supermarket demonstrations and giving them recipes for using avocados. The group’s first impressions of New Zealand avocado orchards were that they were well taken care of. They also commented the way packhouses are managed is very sophisticated, making them more reliable. The three-day visit was hosted by Te Puna-based exporter Southern Produce Ltd

and grower supply group Team Avocado. “This year will be AVANZA’s biggestever shipment to Japan with a volume of around 360,000 trays at a value of around NZD$9 million,” says Southern Produce chief executive officer Tony Ponder. “Japan is one of New Zealand’s key export markets. We’ve been fortunate to have the president of Union Company visit before, however, to also have Mr Keizo Takahashi, president of such a prestigious supermarket as Maruetso, visit any New Zealand supplier is a real achievement. “We hope that all delegates will gain a greater appreciation for New Zealand’s world-class growing practices along with our very stringent food safety standards and how these relate to the premium that our product achieves in Japan against our Mexican and Chilean competitors.”

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Australian preclearance change A review by Australian quarantine authorities has resulted in a change to the preclearance programme for New Zealand-origin fruit and vegetables. The preclearance programme for exports to Australia was set up in 1991, and 10 product groups are involved, including avocados and apples (as of August). It enables Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) activities to be done at the packhouse or coolstore in New Zealand, rather than on arrival in Australia. Products put forward for AQIS inspection must be eligible for New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Export certification and meet Australian import phytosanitary requirements beforehand. It is the product groups’ commercial decision to participate in the Australian preclearance programme, now officially called “Offshore Verification Inspection”. It entails extra costs, such as the cost of travel, accommodation and time for Australian inspectors when they visit New Zealand. But it means precleared product has expedited entry with only a documentation check to occur on arrival, and a perishable product like blueberries or strawberries can be on Australian shop

shelves within a couple of days of harvest if air-freighted. From MAF’s point of view, it means that a pest or disease find can be quickly identified by local experts familiar with native insects and diseases as well as exotic ones that typically occur here. Reviews are a normal part of the activity under the preclearance Protocol. There have been several partial reviews, which are in part an opportunity for AQIS staff to familiarise themselves with the programme and the New Zealand industry. One outcome of the previous major review of the programme in 1995 was agreement that a formal interception traceback would be carried out for every pest or disease found. The current AQIS review of aspects of the preclearance programme started in 2010. In mid September, MAF’s Plants Imports and Exports team was informed that DAFF had decided to change the conditions for preclearance so consignments of all kinds of produce that fail an AQIS preclearance inspection due to a live quarantine pest detection in New Zealand could no longer be presented for re-inspection unless the impacted consignment is fumigated. “AQIS is able to make this change within the terms of the existing preclearance agreement,” says Vicky Kitekei’aho, who has been in charge of the operational policy for this programme for the past year. Vicky’s role entails overseeing the annual work plan, which

begins in May each year with inspections of kiwifruit consignments. She works with Lynette Winters of AsureQuality who oversees the operational logistics. “The change aligns the preclearance inspection programme with the programme that operates for New Zealand produce that is inspected on arrival at a port in Australia,” says Vicky. “The first main sector to work with the changed AQIS requirement was the avocado sector because it was organising exports to Australia at the time.” She has liaised with the Plant Market Access Council (PMAC) and the participating product groups. “MAF is encouraging industry sectors to work with us on this issue.” Vicky notes AQIS is focusing on isolating packhouses within a consignment when a live quarantine insect pest is found. “It is the packhouse that AQIS will address questions to if there is a pest interception.” This set-up naturally supports the fruitgrowing sectors taking a system approach, she says. “For example, if a grower is aware of a pest problem in their orchard, they communicate with their packhouse so it is forewarned and can take additional measures to manage the risk. “Also, information about the package of requirements for a particular market – regarding residues and pests they’re particularly concerned about – can be fed back to growers so they can manage their crop accordingly.” 41

Choosing the The choice of which spray chemical is best depends on: • What pests are present, and how many? • Which products are effective against this pest (or pests)? • When the spray is needed, and so the risk of residues at harvest? • The selectivity of the product - its wider impact or collateral damage?

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These four factors are key to choosing the best pesticide for your situation. This, the first of two articles, covers the first two of these for points. Many growers emphasise the cost when choosing which spray to apply, rather than the balance of cost and benefit. The cost of the chemical is a fraction of the total cost of an applied spray, so that when a spray is needed it is better to choose the most effective product, and then ensure that it is applied to achieve good coverage and is well timed. This will gain maximum control and so realise the most efficient return. However, as the cost of products can vary with special offers, some shopping around is warranted, and is easier if you know which products are essentially the same with the same active ingredient. The main constraints on choice come from market and GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) considerations. Markets have been extremely sensitive to the issue of pesticide residues for years, but only now are adding that sprays must also be used with due care and consideration. This begins with ensuring that each spray must be applied when needed and only then, and by using products registered for the job being undertaken. What product works against which pest? Monitoring shows what pest or pests are present on a particular orchard at any one time. As no spray product kills all pests efficiently and effectively, the first step is to work out which products actually work against the pest or pests found. The first tables show the range of pests or diseases that each product will control, and lists the trade names and rate of use for all options. This is based on the label claims for each registered product, which is good starting point but does have some limitations. Colour coding links those products with label claims against the same pest, with shading indicating a likely effect that is not confirmed by a label claim. Using a pesticide “off-label” is generally allowed in New Zealand, provided there is no issue with residues, but the user is then responsible for ensuring that the New Zealand MRL (Maximum residue level) is not exceeded. As well an off-label use must not be advertised or promoted. Conversely products which by their very nature do not give rise to any residue issue can be registered without any assessment of whether they actually work, so that for such safe products the label claim may well be unsubstantiated. The lists include all registered pesticides with label claims for use on avocados allowed on export crops, except for herbicides, with all relevant trade name options for each active ingredient.

By Dr David Steven IPM Research Ltd

best spray product to use Gaining maximum benefit More information helps to decide which chemical is best for your situation. How a pesticide works is one such aspect. The mode of action of some pesticides can target a particular life stage. For instance those pesticides affecting moulting work against immature insects rather than adults; this includes Prodigy (methoxyfenozide) and products containing tebufenozide (Comic, Approve, Mimic and Prolan). Other products may require a heavier label rate when the pest is more abundant, or may be more effective against younger than older immatures, e.g. Bt is best against smaller leafroller caterpillars. This is why you need to know not just what pest is present but

# LR = leafrollers, GHT = greenhouse thrips, 6SM= six-spotted mite, AS = armoured scales. A “may affect” comment is based on claims for the same or closely related pests on other crops. * Insecta-Kill Label claims “aphids, bronze beetle, scale, mites, leafroller, mealybug”, but claims are not verified. 1 = These labels include a mealy bug claim; as well acephate includes a claim against grassgrub beetles. 2 = BettaCrop has a ‘fruit crops’ claim for GHT; Greenseals has a ‘fruit crops’ claim for passion-vine hopper. 3 = Used at a higher rate than in current avocado claim, giving higher residues and longer pre-harvest intervals.

whether there are few or many, and to understand their life-cycle. With pests that are more seasonal in occurrence, such as greenhouse thrips (GHT) or 6-spotted mite (6SM), knowing whether populations are likely to increase or not helps make the best decision. If numbers of GHT are decreasing, a second spray may not even be needed. The interval between the two thrips sprays is given as a range to allow it to be adjusted – it should be shorter (10-14 days) under warm conditions when pest numbers increase rapidly and longer (to about 21 days) with the cooler weather as autumn progresses. The tables below cover the pests and other uses covered by label claims of pesticides which are registered for use on avocados in New Zealand and which are currently available, PLUS those pests not actually covered by a direct label claim for avocados but for which it is reasonable to expect control. Although technically these are off-label uses, the same pests or very closely related species are included in label claims for these products on other crops. This is a strong reason to expect a substantial level of control.

Registered Pesticides with Label Claims for Avocados : Diseases, etc. Phosphorous acid products contain 400 or 600 g /L of active. Use the rate given on the label which for a regular routine injection is: Mix stock solution of 375 ml product + 1625 ml water – for 600 g/L products OR 250 ml product + 1750 ml water – for 400 g/L products Inject 20 ml of stock solution per m of tree diameter. Label claims only for non-bearing avocado trees. Pest control Grass-grub beetles: deltamethrin (Decis Forte, Ballistic, Deltaphar) or cypermethrin (Ripcord). Disease control 45 Phytophthora: Aliette, Fostonic (both contain fosetyl-aluminium)

By AIC scientist Alvaro Vidiella alvaro.vidiella@nzavocado.co.nz

Working together The AIC technical team has been in touch with Plant & Food researchers to explore the possibility of joining efforts to perform a joint pollination trial next flowering season. In early October the AIC, with the assistance of Colin Partridge and Lindsay Heard, helped Plant & Food find suitable orchards for its present season pollination trials. Current Plant & Food research on pollination in avocado is based in the determination of Hass avocado flower opening patterns in relation to temperature and of the effect of polleniser distance on bee activity on Hass flowers. In the future the strategy in research related to pollination will be aimed to determine the role it may play in irregular bearing. At the same time Plant & Food was looking to establish a Sunny trial. AIC staff, Lindsay Heard, Grochem and Don Rodee were also interested, so a collaborative project has been established with

Figure 2. Sunny application at the trial in Matahui orchard, Katikati.

a Sunny trial at Matahui Orchard. The questions we are trying to start to find an answer for are: what is the effect of Sunny on fruit size and shape in NZ conditions? And what is its effect on the balance between vegetative and reproductive growth in NZ conditions? In parallel to the establishment of this trial, fruit was collected from trees that had received different Sunny treatments since 2008 to do assessments on grading and storage characteristics.

Searching for the right orchards. From left to right: AIC staff Paul Brookbanks and Cindy Cotterell, consultant Lindsay Heard, Plant & Food researcher Andrew Barnett, Israeli Volcani Research Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arnon Dag and P&F researchers Mark Goodwin and David Pattemore.

By AIC scientist Alvaro Vidiella alvaro.vidiella@nzavocado.co.nz

Germplasm update The new varieties trials planted last autumn in Whangarei and Far North are progressing well and hopefully we will see good growth on those trees this spring. The new variety trial in the Bay of Plenty will be planted at the beginning of December. The new varieties trial established in 1999 in Mangawhai is entering its third growing season with some problems due to six spotted mite, but we hope the trees will recover during the summer, so we continue getting valuable information from them. Very little fruit is available from Carmen and Maluma yet from the trees planted in NZ. The Maluma and Carmen trees planted in the Te Puke Geneblock are

going into their fifth and fourth growing season, respectively. Unfortunately, they were affected by frost during the winter and lost a large quantity of fruit that we expected to use in storage trials. Even though, with the fruit left on these trees and the one provided by trees planted in Gisborne, we are doing some preliminary work on dry matter evolution of these two varieties compared to Hass and have also been able to put some fruit in storage to do some very preliminary assessments of its storage capacity in our conditions, although the results may be influenced by the frost damage. The semi-commercial trials of Maluma and Carmen are currently being established. Up to 1900 Maluma plants and 900 Carmen plants are being planted on Zutano, Dusa and Bounty in orchards in most of our growing regions. These trials will provide precious information on these varieties in the next years.

Figure 1. Hass on Dusa going into its third growing season in the Mangawhai new varieties trial, 28/10/2011.

Figure 2. Maluma at the Te Puke Geneblock going into its fifth growing season. 22/09/2011.

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Industry News Library Tray Reports Library tray reports for the 201112 season are now available for growers and packers whose fruit has completed green and ripe fruit assessments. To see the reports, go to the industry website (www.nzavocado.co.nz), click on Packing-Exporting in the top menu and then click on Library Trays found in the drop down menu and then follow the links. If you do not know your Username and Password please phone AgFirst, 07 549 1044 for assistance. If as a packer you do not know your report code, please phone Juan Rosales, 07 571 6147. The library tray reports will be updated on the website on a weekly basis throughout the season. AIC staff contact during Christmas period In the three days between Christmas and New Year statutory holidays (28 - 30 December) there will be limited staff in the office; however, should you have urgent queries, the following staff will be on call: • Jen Scoular (CEO) 021 994 120 • Edwina Aitchison (Executive Assistant) 021 978 453 - call for Spray Diary help Have your say on the industry’s Export Marketing Strategy (EMS) for 2012 The industry EMS is up for review January 2012. Submissions from growers, packers and exporters are due Wednesday 25 January 2012 at 5pm. For more information on this process, please talk to your NZAGA Rep. or the AIC or view the information at http://www.nzavocado. co.nz/ and follow the link on the industry homepage. A copy of the current EMS can be found on the industry website under Publications. Changes to the industry website The consumer side of the website is having a refit to come in line with the Add an Avocado domestic promotional campaign. Once this is

complete, the consumer homepage will become the homepage for nzavocado.co.nz To access the industry side of the website, click the tab labeled “Industry” on the top right hand side of the consumer homepage. Growers - are you connected? Don’t miss out on important updates and industry information; make sure you register your email address with the AIC to receive AvoConnect - the NZ Avocado industry e-newsletter. Call 0800 286 2236 or email joannenunn@ nzavocado.co.nz to register. Important note: To avoid AvoConnect being blocked or ending up in your junk email folder, make sure you add info@nzavocado.co.nz to your email’s “Safe Sender List”. Growers’ letters in Avoscene If you want 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 March issue of Avoscene is February 17, 2012. Please be aware that we will not be able to print every letter due to space constraints. All letters must be 300 words or less. Letters exceeding this limit may be edited or may be refused. 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. Unsigned letters or those submitted without a phone number will not be considered. Regular contributors should submit letters on varied subjects. Letters by the same author that reiterate opinions previously expressed will not be published. Avocado Industry Council reserves the right not to publish any 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.

Katikati Avocado Festival 14 January 2012 11.30am - 6pm Uretara Domain, Katikati This promises to be a fun family day out with lots of activities for kids, great music and fabulous food and wine for adults. Come to the NZ avocado tent for avocado cooking demonstrations with local celebrity chef Peter Blakeway, try your hand at guacamole making, learn about choosing and ripening avocados, have a taste of a delicious avocado smoothie and just for kids - make your wackiest Mr Avocado Head at our kids’ activity table. There will also be an avocado recipe competition. Tickets are only $12 or $15 if purchased at the gate. Free admission for Children under 18 years if accompanied by their parents. To take advantage of the early-bird price, purchase your tickets from any one of the following outlets: • Westpac Katikati • Westpac 11th Ave., Tauranga • Westpac Greerton, 199 Chadwick Rd • Katikati Information Centre • Finer Wines, 8 Main Rd, Katikati • Phone orders: Finer Wines 07 5493463 The festival is an initiative of the Pakeke Lions Club Katikati as a fund raiser for local community groups. 2012 will once again see the club donating funds towards the Cancer Society Lodge in Hamilton. Pakeke Lions will be out and about selling raffle tickets for this project. Tickets are only $2 each and there have excellent prizes donated by local Katikati business people. • 1st prize is 3 night’s accommodation for two at the beautiful Paku Lodge in Tairua, valued at $480. • 2nd prize is for Dinner and one night’s accommodation for two people at exclusive Fantail Lode in Katikati. Valued at $330 • 3rd prize is a $100 gift voucher from Mitre 10 • 4th prize is a Gift Basket full of delicious and interesting Avocado products The raffle will close and be drawn at 4.30pm on 14th January. All enquiries to Organiser: David Crispin, phone 07 549 1900. In the spirit of the event, patrons are asked not to bring in food and drink. There are many gazebos and chairs and tables available for public use at the event, however you may like to bring your own picnic chairs and tables to guarantee your comfort. We look forward to seeing you and your friends and family there, enjoying this fun day. For more details visit www.avofest.co.nz

What to do if you experience agrichemical spray-drift

By Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service health protection officer Grant King

If agrichemicals are not applied carefully, spray may drift away from the target area. This is known as spray-drift. Why is spray-drift a problem? It’s a problem because: • It could affect human health • It could contaminate water supplies (e.g. roof water supply) • It could contaminate fruits and vegetables Application of an agrichemical using a spray technique will inevitably involve some off-target drift but the extent of spray-drift is determined by meteorological factors topographical factors, and those factors, which are operator controlled.

The risk associated with spray-drift is a combination of the extent, concentration, and nature of the spray-drift, the toxicity or other hazardous properties, and the people exposed. If people are exposed to spray-drift they are encouraged to note down the following details: • How you first became aware of spraydrift • The time, date, weather (especially the wind strength and direction) • The colour and smell of the spray, if obvious • Who is spraying and the equipment used • Who else is spraying in the area • The type of aircraft (if used), its identification number and colour, the direction it came from • An estimate of its height above ground • Any symptoms occurring after spraydrift, and time lapse between spray-drift

and symptoms If members of the public haven’t experienced health problems, they are encouraged to note down the incident details and pass it on to the Regional Council, and the concerned Territorial Authority. If members of the public have any symptoms after exposure, they are encouraged to contact their GP who will notify the Public Health Service if further investigation is required. Please remember that the Public Health Service has a no enforcement role. Our role is to maintain surveillance of adverse health effects associated with spray-drift incidents and advise about possible adverse health effects of spraying and steps that should be taken to minimize those effects. Health Protection Officers advise and assist other agencies in their enforcement role in mitigating spray-drift problems.

AvoGreen annual review

By AIC Quality Coordinator Juan Rosales jrosales@nzavocado.co.nz

Students visit from The University of Sydney

Meetings with the consultation groups for the annual AvoGreen review have been completed.

A summary of the feedback from the consultation groups will go to the working group to guide discussion. The working group will formulate suggested changes to the AvoGreen protocols and raise other issues for the board’s consideration. These meetings were organised Most issues raised by the consultation on a regional basis and according to groups could be classified as minor expression of interests received from refinements to the existing protocol. growers and other stakeholders. In Key areas were addition the need for to this we Consultation group Region received six AvoGreen Owner-operators Far North/Northland greater clarity around rules submissions AvoGreen Owner-operators BOP for eligibility from growers AvoGreen Operators All regions and concerns and other AvoGreen other stakeholders All regions around abuse stakeholders. of the system, All of the meetings with the consultation the need for education and ongoing groups were positive and the attendees training, especially around issues of appreciated the opportunity to provide chemical choice, the pros and cons of feedback. We met with the following a pre-harvest quarantine monitoring/ consultation groups in October: spray, orchard mapping requirements The feedback and suggestions from and audit considerations. these groups as well as the grower The need to incorporate monitoring submissions are now to be discussed results into the electronic spray diaries with the AvoGreen working group. was also raised.

The students enjoyed a tour of Ashby Whitehead’s orchard.

Brian Jones, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources of The University of Sydney and some of his students visited our avocado industry on 8 November as part of their New Zealand tour. They visited Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool facilities and Ashby Whitehead’s orchard. Through the packhouse facilities they were guided by Trevelyan’s avocado manager, Daniel Birnie. AIC director, Ashby Whitehead, Freshco’s operations manager Tony Peacock and AIC scientist Alvaro Vidiella participated in the discussion that followed the visit. At Ashby Whitehead’s orchard, the students witnessed the harvest procedure and became acquainted with the characteristics of the orchard.

Pruning trial update By AIC scientist Alvaro Vidiella alvaro.vidiella@nzavocado.co.nz Picture 2

The work carried out in the pruning trial these last months has been quite intense. Since July, harvest assessment and the spring pruning have finished in 10 of the 12 orchards. In July the technical team started to collate information about participating orchard maturity levels and probable harvest dates. This began the arduous task of coordinating growers, packhouses, pruning contractors and AIC staff for the harvest season. 1.1 Fruit harvest Fruit harvesting from the trial orchards began towards the end of August and has continued through September and October. The harvesting got off to a slow start with a number of orchards having to wait for fruit maturity to reach the required 24% dry matter. The weather has also played a part in the delay. At the date of writing there are still two orchards to complete their fruit picking. The majority of participating orchardists have strip-picked their trial trees which has aided the application of the spring prune treatments. The harvest assessment consisted in weighing the fruit of each individual tree involved in the trial using a set of weighing bars (picture 1) and in determining the fruit quality profile of 100 fruit randomly sampled from each of these trees (picture 2). A summary of the fruit profile of the assessed trees can be seen in tables 1 and

Table 2. Average time spent by the pickers by trees from different treatments and average yield of the trees. Data from 10 orchards and 5 trees per treatment in each orchard. Treatment Pruning Severity Moderate Light Light Moderate Control

Time spent harvesting (minutes) Timing Ground pickers Hydralada pickers Spring 14.7 26.7 Spring 12.5 22.4 Autumn 12.6 24.3 Autumn 11.4 17.6 13.8 26.4 120.3

Total averages

13.0

23.5

2. Over the years the data obtained in the consecutive assessments will give us an idea of whether the treatments have had some influence on the fruit production of these trees. We are very grateful to the growers participating in the pruning trial. Having to harvest the fruit of each individual tree into different bins and moving those bins through the orchard to where the weighing bars were located meant an extra effort for them during such a stressing moment as harvest is. They were very generous and patient with the development of the trial which is meant to benefit all of our industry. 1.2 Spring pruning The spring prune treatments have been completed on all properties except one orchard. The majority of spring prune treatments were applied within two weeks of the fruit harvest. We must also mention that the pruning contractors involved in the pruning trial were also generous finding time to work on the trial orchards during this busy harvesting season.

Yield per tree (kg) 123.1 119.8 130.9 108.9

120.6

1.3 General meeting On 17 November, the participants of the pruning trial met at the AIC office in Tauranga to review the development of the trial so far. This was an opportunity for all the participants to express their opinions and concerns on the trial so far and has helped to the better development of the trial next season. 1.4 Pruning trial field days A series of field days are being planned at the orchards where the pruning trial is being performed in which the development of the trial will be explained. They are scheduled for next autumn. Picture 1

Long Stem

colour

pollen

0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.6% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3%

0.4% 0.4% 0.2% 0.4% 0.7% 0.3% 0.4%

1.2% 1.6% 2.0% 1.4% 1.5% 1.2% 1.2%

0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.7% 0.5% 0.8% 0.6%

0.4% 0.2% 0.3% % 0.4% 0.6% 0.4% 0.4%

0.3% 0.2% 0.4% 0.2% 0.4% 0.3%

0.1% 0.2% % 0.7% % 0.1% 0.2% % 0.2% 0.1%

0.9%

0.1% 0.2% 0.2%

0.3% % % 0.3% 0.3% 0.9% 0.1%

Clipper cuts

Misshapen

1.0% 1.1% 0.7% 1.5% 1.0% 2.0% 1.0%

Surface deposit

Peel Handling

0.2% 0.2% 0.9% 0.1% 0.2% 0.4% 0.2%

Anthracnose

Scale

0.6% 0.4% 0.8% 0.6% 0.5% 0.6% 0.6%

Bruising

Ridging Area

0.5% 0.3% 0.5% 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5%

Stem Missing

Cuts and punctures

Protuberance

1.4% 1.8% 0.8% 1.5% 1.2% 1.5% 1.4% 26% 23210

Ridging Length

3.7% 3.6% 2.5% 4.3% 3.6% 4.4% 3.7%

Ridging Height

0.4% 2.5% 9.6% 0.4% 2.5% 1.7% 0.5% 2.2% 10.0% 0.3% 2.4% 9.5% 0.3% 2.7% 8.5% 0.4% 2.6% 1.6% 0.4% 2.5% 9.6% Average of unsound fruti (export): Total number of fruit assessed:

Blemish

Windrub

242 238 249 243 242 234 242

Leafroller

Moderate Spring Light Spring Light Autumn Moderate Autumn Control Average

Thrips

Row Labels

Fruit Weight

Table 1: Results from the assessment done on 100 fruit sample from each of the trees of the trial in this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harvest.

0.8% 0.4% 0.9% 0.4% 0.2% 0.6% 0.8%

0.8% 0.4% 0.1% 0.4% 0.2% 0.8% 0.8%

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The team at Freshco would like to wish our growers, packers and service providers and their families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and enjoyable festive season.