Hort News 03 November 2020 by Rural News Group

HORTNEWS

Leadership challenge for young growers – Page 4

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Lack of labour NOVEMBER 2020, ISSUE 13

Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND kiwifruit growers are nervous about having enough people to work in the industry during the coming months, according to grower organisation NZKGI. Chief executive Nikki Johnson told Hort News the closure of NZ’s borders due to Covid-19 means that there will be lack of overseas workers – especially recognised seasonal employer (RSE) workers from the Pacific Islands. She says normally there are about 14,000 such workers available, but for the

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coming pruning and harvesting season, this number is expected to be cut to just 4,500. Johnson says, on average, the workforce in the kiwifruit industry comprises about 50% New Zealanders, 25% -30% back packers – with the rest RSE workers. “While we are only about 20% reliant on RSE workers, there is pressure on the industry finding replacements for those workers because they are very reliable and highly efficient,” she explains. “Replacing a RSE worker is quite difficult to do.” From now until December, it’s

summer work time in kiwifruit orchards – bud and fruit thinning and general orchard maintenance – tasks that RSE workers are skilled at. Johnson says, at present, there are about 6,000 RSE workers in NZ. However, many will be heading home as flights become available – leaving just 4,500 will stay in NZ for the coming season. Johnson notes that many RSE workers who were planning to come here didn’t make when the border was suddenly closed in March. Since then, the kiwifruit industry has had to ‘share’ workers with other horticultural sectors – in particular the pipfruit sector.

“The pipfruit sector will also be trying to access some of those 4,500 workers at the same time as us, so we anticipate that there will be an issue in terms of shortages. Especially in the early harvest period, until apples start to come back and we can bring these people into our regions,” she told Hort News. Backpackers have been another major source of workers for the kiwifruit sector and Johnson estimates that there are about 13,000 of them on working holiday visas in NZ. The visas of some of these people were due to expire so the government is now

allowing them to apply for visas known as supplementary seasonal employees (SSE). This means these backpackers can now only work in the horticulture and viticulture areas and cannot, for example, stay on and work as a barista. “However, we still don’t know what access we will have to these backpackers and that adds to the uncertainty,” Johnson adds. “We will be focusing on the backpackers that are in the country and making sure that they know about the opportunities available in kiwifruit during the fruit picking season.”

GOODY GOODY – GREAT SHOES! This young girl from Rata Street school in the Hutt Valley proudly shows off a new pair of running shoes she received as part of her participation in Zespri’s Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure. The programme is aimed at promoting exercise and healthy eating habits. Some 20,000 children in 760 primary and intermediate schools throughout NZ are participating in the adventure over the next month. – See full story page 3.

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NOVEMBER 2020

Fruitful exercise THERE WAS an air of excitement in teacher Trish Hereaka’s classroom at morning playtime as Zespri staff set out lunchboxes and arranged the shoes that were to be given to all the class. The children had some idea – as they had to give their shoes sizes to Trish, so that they got given shoes of the correct size. When the children finally arrived in class they found a lunch box on each of their desks and after a brief talk from Kim Harvey and Michael Fox the shoes were handed out. Excitement reigned as the boxes were opened and the shoes tried on. Hereaka has been involved in the Zespri challenge before with another class and decided

to do it again with this year with her new class. She says children being healthy and making healthy choices is really important to her. “I like the fact the challenge encourages children to run around and do other things, rather than being on devices all the time,” she told Hort News. “That’s really good for children. I hope that, even when it’s over, they will continue on with these good habits.” She says it was a very special day and the kids were ecstatic. “The shoes a really cool and there will be some envious other kids at the school when they see my class running around in their new shoes,” she says.

Rata School primary teacher Trish Hereaka (far right) says her class were very excited with the shoes and lunch provided by Zespri,

Hereaka says working in a decile two school means that money is an issue for many parents and the school provides lunch for some children. They get fruit and until the end of the year also get milk. Hereaka says participation is some

sporting activities can also be a barrier to families, with the cost of fees and equipment. However, she says some local clubs are helping with special free programmes for the school. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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TOP OF THE CLASS! ALEX HOEK is Massey University’s top horticultural student for 2020. Hoek was presented with his award at the recent annual Massey University agricultural graduation function by Emma Simpson from Zespri International, who coincidently won the same award a year ago. Twenty-year-old Hoek hails from nearby Feilding and was brought up on a cut flower nursery. He completed the horticulture major of the Bachelor of Agri-Science degree, which has now been replaced by the Bachelor of Hor-

ticultural Science degree. In mid-2019, he was selected to go on an industryfunded 15 day tour of The Netherlands, Belgium and South Korea, which helped increase his interest in production horticulture. Currently, Hoek is following an interest in seed production and vegetable breeding. Next month, he starts a 6-month internship with the seed company Barenbrug in Canterbury. Hoek was also placed second in the academic prize list for third-year students.

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Seasonal Solutions Cooperative (SSCO) is New Zealand’s leading employer staff under the Recognised Seasonal Employment scheme. The cooperative has brought in staff, principally from Vanuatu, since the inception of the scheme in 2007. Our members are spread across Otago, Canterbury and Marlborough in viticulture and horticulture. SSCO’s primary role is to ensure that suitable labour is available when needed. SSCO’s values include provision of the best quality pastoral care. SSCO is looking to appoint an independant director, ideally based in the Marlborough region. Knowledge of the wine growing industry, while not essential, is desirable, with those candidates also able to demonstrate the quality and competencies suitable for an appointment of this nature. SSCO has a Board of seven directors and meetings are typically held every two months. SSCO has its head office in Alexandra with a branch office in Blenheim. Interested potential candidates should contact the Chair in the first instance for further information and informal discussion. Martin Anderson Chair Seasonal Solutions Cooperative Ltd 1 Deel Street, Alexandra Phone: 021 575 575 Email: martin@ssco.co.nz

HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2020

Off and running with Zespri! Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

Zespri’s Michael Fox helps a Rata Primary School student try on her new pair of running shoes.

Silver Fern netball captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio and long-time NZ hockey player Samantha Charlton. Harvey says a total of 760 classes around the country are involved in the programme and the aim is to encourage young

people to adopt healthy lifestyles at an early age, which they will hopefully retain throughout their lives. She says this is better than trying to change habits later in life. “The children are all in a class team and what we are trying to

do is immerse them in the habits to drink more water and eat fruit and veggies on a regular basis,” Harvey told Hort News. “By doing this in their everyday life, each student earns points and as a class they log into

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the data base and track their performance. The points they earn allow them travel around the world virtually by creating their own little animated avatars. They are guided on this journey by the ambassadors. It’s a really fun experience

important to Zespri,” Fox told Hort News. “We just want young New Zealanders to succeed and do well and build these really good habits. To have 20,000 children from 760 classrooms around the country involved in the programme is perfect for us.” Fox says they want to encourage as many people as possible to eat kiwifruit as it is an incredible fruit and goes with that healthy lifestyle. “We also want to see young people eating other fruit and vegetables and involving themselves in exercise,” he adds. “What we really like about the programme is that it’s helping children build really good habits early. Also, they are going to take these skills back home to their families and hopefully get their families as well to take the message.”

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TWENTY ONE students from a class at Hutt Valley’s Rata Street school, a decile two school, were among two classes in the country singled out to receive a new pair of ASIC shoes each from Zespri. As well the running shoes, the kids were also given special lunchboxes and kiwifruit courtesy of the kiwifruit marketer. The programme is the brainchild of Kim Harvey, a health and fitness expert. Harvey set up the charitable trust, which has been running for the past three years, with the support of a number of sponsors – including Zespri. Several key sports people are also involved in promoting the scheme as ambassadors – such as All Black star Ardie Savea, NZ cricket captain Kane Williamson,

and they can, in a virtual sense, visit some exciting places.” Harvey says it’s a great way to introduce and motivate children into adopting healthy lifestyles. There is no winner for five week programme, but Harvey says the winning is about changing lifestyles. Michael Fox of Zespri agrees and says the aims and values of the project matches Zespri’s focus on supporting communities in NZ and around the world. He says Zespri is always looking for great initiatives that support their values, such as creating healthier communities and a better environment. “It’s just something that fits with this and it teaches young people to eat well, live well and look after the environment – all these things are really

HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2020

Leadership challenge for young growers Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

FINALISTS IN the inaugural Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award 2020 have been told that one of the big challenges is increasing the number of young Māori in leadership roles in the horticultural sector. The three finalists, 24-year-old Brandon Cross, 26-year-old Maatutaera Akonga and 25-yearold Finnisha Tuhiwai were taking part in an intensive three day study tour designed to provide a range of insights, inspiration and experiences across the horticultural sector. The Young Māori Farmer Award was inaugurated in 2012 and is designed to recognise upand-coming young Māori in the farming and horticulture sectors. This year the competition is for horticulture. One of the judges of this year’s competition was Primary ITO’s Matiu Julian, who says the group were told that while Māori make up 28% of the workforce in the sector, only 4% are in leadership roles. All three finalists in this year’s competition are in leadership roles, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Julian says the study

Finalists in the Young Maori Grower, Ahuwhenua Trophy Competition for Horticulture: Maatutaera Akonga, Finnisha Tuhiwai and Brandon Cross. - PHOTO BY ALPHAPIX.NZ

tour organised by New Zealand Apples and Pears was used as a platform for observing the finalists and selecting a winner, to be announced in November. He says it was designed to give the finalists an insight into

the innovation taking place within horticulture, be inspired by Māori leaders and learn from key people who are involved across the horticulture value chain. “We visited the Ngāti Pahauwera Development

Trust Orchard in Napier. Delivered a leadership programme with special guest Kristy Roa, the 2019 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Sheep and Beef winner, and visited the Plant and Food Research facility in Hawke’s Bay,”

he told Hort News. “We were hosted by the Turners and Growers innovation team and Berries Farm NZ and participated in a presentation from Horticulture New Zealand.” Julian says the three

finalists also had dinner with Ngahiwi Tomoana, chair of Ngati Kahungunu, his wife Mere and Karl Wixon, a designer, educator, project manager, strategist and ‘kaupapaholic’. “All the finalists were

treated to stories of inspiration and wisdom they will never forget,” he says. Julian claims the three day study tour offered the finalists a sense of connection and celebration of Māori success – as the next generation of young Māori looking to evolve and live up to the Ahuwhenua Trophy legacy in horticulture. He says the challenge before them is to think about the types of experiences that want to have, how they want to grow and how they can give back to their whānau and communities. He says there were many examples of Māori excellence for the finalists to be inspired by. Julian says that being Māori is to be gifted with talent and vision with an innate sense for the health and wellbeing of others. This is manaakitanga. As a special recognition of being the inaugural finalists in the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower competition, Peter MacGregor, who has a long and distinguished career in the Māori agrisector, presented each of the finalists with a miniature trophy. The winner of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower competition will be announced in Rotorua on November 20 at the Ahuwhenua Trophy awards dinner.

HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2020

NZ kiwifruit sector on alert for mysterious Italian disease Mark Daniel markd@ruralnews.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND’S kiwifruit industry is on alert following reports of a mystery disease that is sweeping through Italian orchards. First spotted as far back as 2012, “Moria” or “Die-off” is first seen when leaves start wilting and then fall off the plant over the next 12 to 14 days. This leaves the fruit exposed to sunlight. Scientists from Italy’s Council for Agricultural Research and Economics have compared the disease to coronavirus. However, it warns that once symptoms appear: “it’s already too late.” This is because in the initial stages of the infection, the roots darken and rot – before any above ground signs appear. Once this happens, plants will usually die over a 12 to 24-month period. Since these first symptoms were spotted nearly a decade ago, it is estimated that around 20% of Italy’s national crop has been affected. In some areas, such as Verona, where the disease was first seen, the problem has hit an astonishing 84% of crops. Dubbed Kiwi Vine

Kiwi Vine Decline Syndrome (KVDS) is having a devastating impact on crops in Italy.

Decline Syndrome (KVDS) by the scientific community, currently there is no known cause. However, theories suggest causal agents such as fungi, bacteria, soil composition or oxygen levels. The industry reports that there have been many pathogens identified in sick vines. However, not one has been identified in all the samples analysed.

There are also claims that the cause might be global warming, with recent European summers topping 30 degrees C – up to 5 degrees C more than the 25 to 27 degree range that kiwifruit prefer. In many cases, growers have destroyed and removed affected rootstock, only to find that new plantings have succumbed to the disease within one or two years. Compounding

the problem, the disease appears to affect both old and new vines – as well as plants on virgin or longterm cultivated ground and individual plants within orchards. The Italian industry is the world’s second largest kiwifruit producer after China, delivering around 555,000 tonnes in 2018. In September, the Italian Government established a taskforce to look more closely at the problem.

Symptoms have also been observed in France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Japan and China, although the spread seems to be at a much lower rate than in Italy. Meanwhile, in other parts of Italy – especially areas seeing higher temperatures – apple trees are also dying. Meanwhile, a fungus has decimated Italy’s pear harvest and a bacterium is killing olive trees.

Zespri head of global science innovation Dr Juliet Ansell says it is monitoring the situation overseas closely. Members of its team are involved in an industry-wide taskforce recently formed by Zespri and its SunGold kiwifruit partners. The taskforce will address the challenges thrown up by the disease, while also developing tools to support growers.

Already aware of the financial impact of the bacterial disease Psa in 2010, which is estimated to have cost the NZ industry $885m, Ansell says NZ’s kiwifruit sector must remain vigilant around biosecurity. Currently, Kiwifruit Vine Health is working to strengthen biosecurity pathway plans throughout the NZ kiwifruit industry. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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NOVEMBER 2020

Historic day for Maori hort Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

A CROWD of more than 150 people turned out at a recent field day at Ngai Tukairangi Trust’s kiwifruit orchard at Matapihi on the outskirts of Tauranga. The Trust is one of three finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition for the top Māori horticulturalist of the year. It is the first time in the award’s 87-year history that horticulture has been included in the competition. In the past, the competition has been for dairy and sheep and beef, held in alternate years. However, this year the competition was widened to include horticulture. The field day attracted a wide range of people from the kiwifruit industry – as well as the wider agri business sector. The day commenced with a Powhiri at the picturesque Hungahungatoroa Marae, which overlooks Tauranga

Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee chair Kingi Smiler and Minister of Maori Development Nanaia Mahuta pictured at the recent field day.

Harbour. This was followed by a series of presentations from trustees and staff about its history, governance, strategy and business planning.

Those attending the field day were also taken on a tour of the property. One of the special guests at the field day was the Minister of Māori Devel-

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opment, Nanaia Mahuta. She said the competition helps raise the bar for Māori in terms of horticulture and enables landowners to demonstrate the importance of legacy, partnerships and relationships, and holding on to their whenua (land). Mahuta says that post-

Covid 19, Māori producers are going to make a significant contribution to the future of New Zealand. Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee chair Kingi Smiler says it was a special and historic day for Māori to have their efforts in the horticultural sector recog-

nised. He says Māori are major contributors to the wealth generated by the sector. It is estimated that Māori own more than 10% of the kiwifruit plantings in NZ and this is increasing. Smiler praised Ngai Tukairangi for its organisation of the

field day and says they have set a benchmark for others who enter this competition in the future. He says field days are a great way of showcasing the achievements of growers and farmers and people can see at firsthand how an operation works. The other two finalists in the competition are Hineora Orchard, Te Kaha 15B Ahu Whenua Trust. This is a Māori freehold land block located in the Eastern Bay of Plenty township of Te Kaha, 65km east of Opotiki on which the Trust run a kiwifruit joint venture operation. The other finalist is Otama Marere (Paengaroa North A5) Block in Paengaroa near the Bay of Plenty town of Te Puke. It grows a mixture of Green, SunGold and organic kiwifruit – as well as avocados. Smiler says all three finalists are exemplars of excellence and says they do the competition proud. The winner of the Ahuwhenua Trophy for Horticulture will be announced at a function in Rotorua on Friday November 20.

PEOPLE OF THE LAND CHAIR OF Ngai Tukairangi Trust, Ratahi Cross, was delighted with the field day. He says the Ahuwhenua awards are a legacy handed down from Lord Bledisloe and Sir Apirana Ngata, which brings huge mana to the event. Cross says being related to Sir Apirana made it very special for him to be part of the competition and to showcase its “magic history”. “Covid has created a really difficult time for us and having the ability to share with people and celebrate your success is always something good to happen when bad things are happening around you,” Cross told Hort News. “When you enter this competition, you enter knowing full

well that it has some huge mana with it so you have to have the field days. “It’s about showing our responsibility to this magic history and in some ways rewarding those who sponsor this event.” Ngai Tukairangi Trust is very large kiwifruit operation with a total of 110 hectares of kiwifruit – much of it covered. The orchard at Matapihi consists of 57 hectares of kiwifruit. Each year the trust produces around 1.7 million trays of mainly Sun Gold kiwifruit. The land at Matapihi was originally run as a dairy farm but was converted to kiwifruit in the late 1980s. Cross’s family have always lived on this land. He says his

people have managed to ward off interlopers who have unsuccessfully endeavoured to “take this from us or find a way to entice us out of this land”. “In the whole of Tauranga this is only green area left and it’s like a little bit of a beacon jutting out into the harbour,” he told Hort News. “My papa says this will always be our land. My children loved growing up in a rural environment in an urban centre and that is pretty unique. You have lovely lagoons to swim in, good fishing areas and you see beautiful kiwifruit all around you.” Cross says the Trust has great staff and they are treated like family. He says they believe in treating staff well.

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passionate growers to enable the year-round supply of the tastiest berries for consumers.” Keaney says initial feedback is very exciting with yields, fruit quality, shelf-life, growing and harvesting efficiencies and fruit flavour all performing well. “As well as looking at superior flavour, texture, shelf-life and colour, we’re also focused on developing varieties that reduce growing costs and increase productivity. “We have a range of varieties that are suitable for various growing methods, such as tunnel house, outdoor tabletops and traditional field production” He says because labour is a significant and ever-increasing cost, developing and choosing varieties that are easy to harvest is also a focus for the company. PSI is an agricultural research company that focuses on plant breeding and propagation of berry crops for the global marketplace. Since 1985, it has been leading the way in innovation in small fruits plant breeding with exclusive genetics being grown in more than 50 countries around the world. Scott Nelson, global development for PSI, says his company is excited about the opportunity to

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Excellent produce needs excellence in irrigation Irrigation is essential in growing high yielding quality produce. Too much watering can cause disease and nutrient washout and wasted pumping costs. Too little watering, particularly with shallow rooting plants, causes stress which is difficult to catch up. Watermetrics agronomist Richard Campion explains... SPECIFIC CROPS require different watering. Kiwifruit damaged by dry periods can have leaf wilt, which results in smaller fruit and reduced yields next season. Conversely, wet feet will mean reduced roots, which lower yields and quality. However, irrigation can increase fruit size prior to harvest, but it needs to be done with care as overdoing it can reduce dry matter. Vineyards respond to specific watering. You can target bulk yield if

that’s what you are after or you can aim for consistent, quality fruit size. We are finding that correct moisture in late winter, well before budburst, enhances performance – something most don’t think about because the plant is dormant. Leafy greens with shallow roots need constant water or the quality goes. Fruiting crops need irrigation at flowering and fruit development. Tomatoes, capsicum, eggplants have very high ETO and require constant irriga-

tion. Irrigation management is a juggle of crop type and stage, crop quality targets, soil type, water supply, weather and irrigation equipment. I have met farmers with years of experience that go out and grab a handful of soil and by squeezing it, tell if it needs to water. Fair enough, but you can do better. To do better you need accurate, timely data. You can set targets to suit crop stages with things

Irrigation is essential in growing high yielding quality produce.

you can control. You cannot control weather. But you can record it and obtain quite accurate forecasts. Knowing the amount of rain is important to the next watering decision. District forecasts are often not the

same as what goes on in your paddock, so an onfarm weather station is an asset. Many irrigation systems either don’t record or say X number of litres went out. But you really need to know exactly

HORTNEWS Introducing Hort News, a national publication serving the needs of our booming horticulture sector. Distributed with the leading national farming publication Rural News, Hort News will be delivered to all key horticulture regions nationwide. It is the complete solution for readers and advertisers, covering every aspect of the wider horticulture industry – news, agribusiness, management, markets, machinery and technology.

what has gone on in an irrigation. Metering and control panels show this and record it. Knowing the moisture in your soil to a good depth is so important in irrigation decisions. The more we observe the

NOVEMBER 2020

more confident we are that you can save water and still get more growth. You can’t do that without knowing what’s going on in the soil at all levels. Gaining knowledge and understanding of what the best moisture levels are in your soil, means you can ensure that you are in the best position to get the best growth and take account of seasonal changes. A serious soil probe provides this information. This should be movable, measure soil temperature as well as moisture, and record in short intervals. Measure at 100mm intervals down to at least 500mm. Seeing what is happening at each level is important. TO PAGE 9

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New apple ‘dazzles’ Chinese consumers – Page 4

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Sudesh Kissun

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has URE industry THE HORTICULT wn Covid-19 lockdo come out of the with better people more resilient and skills. ement manag of Vegetable NZ That’s the view ra Dargaville kuma chairman and Bruin. grower Andre de way growers and He describes the workplace new to ed workers adapt lockdown as “fanrules during the heradapted a “toget tastic”. Growers with apart” approach ness while being disto practice social workers asked rs farms. The worke tancing while on rose the occasion. harvestfarm, a kumar On de Bruin’s to screens erected ed, modifi ers were , sorters and the separate the driver on number of people bin person. The to reduced from eight a harvester was six. ter is normally “Being on the harves the thing…but during quite the social and were barriers lockdown there ” he ’t see each other, workers couldn

Andre kumara grower an and Dargaville workers adapted s and Vegetable NZ chairm es the way grower de Bruin describ wn as “fantastic”. during the lockdo

told Hort News. y their responsibilit n’t “They realised normally would doing this for their Growers who each and that we were nging ideas with and food safety. talk were excha seasafety, our safety change was that tic.” fantas was other. One huge “The team ng and the rs, hired for planti for him this is worke says sonal e Bruin De bles, had becom ble sector – how harvesting vegeta story of the vegeta e. “When there rs. to understand requir essential worke grown vegetables growers worked and attitude of workchange or close for that to be ue their businesses De Bruin says the is any potential businesses open, ed. ments to contin chang d ating tically mente es willing navig are imple drama believ e sfully ers to their job disrupted, peopl for good. It’s about ANDRE DE BRUIN how they succes of it before the lockhalf a mile e your business driving to one from over, but “On the last day g to stand in a queue your way to ensur Covid-19 is far changes. He recalls ng meeting and greetin supered the way we ional next week on the first morni down they were long to get it from the remains funct has already chang his kumara farms were told that’s wn. each other and they markets.” and next year.” do business. of the Level 4 lockdo I e buy that. lines NZ’s one thing est day of my life, time they can do says the way peopl last He says this under De Bruin says He “It was the strang everythe challenge and d is that producer of top changed. on the road and “They rose up to credential as a Covid-19 has prove their food has work, was the only car to ht a have to I . safe, broug they wants adapting d at home the dedication “Growers are food. New Zealanders one had cars parke says. fantastic. it’s changing y New Zealanding like that,” he day-after-day, was er fresh and qualit new normal and never seen anyth all in this togeth g through an as other “They knew were on a weekly basis “It was like drivin growphone between was really good.” and there was heavy talking” on the wn. and that abandoned town got ry went into lockdo ing the disease.” count sibility…that I have the spread as respon for of ers tors of feeling sitfood but operat there was “a lot for all these people De Bruin recalls only to supply people were not vecto do this right s. er that we ting in their house not ing in a mann responsibility, “We had a big

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HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2020

Hort systems must meet expections of the future Plant & Food Research has just begun a major research programme focusing on designing horticultural growing systems to meet the expectations of society in the future. Peter Burke reports. PAUL JOHNSTONE is coleading this programme of research, which is internally-funded through a significant new ‘Growing Futures’ initiative at Plant & Food Research. He says the ultimate vision of this research is to deliver future food systems that provide healthy and exciting food options. “All backed by stories of unique provenance that attract premiums for producers – while restoring and regenerating our unique biocultural ecosystems here in NZ.” Johnstone told Hort News that the research will look out 10-20 years and consider what food systems will need to look like to meet the needs of future consumers, both overseas and here in New Zealand. In the future, he sees an ongoing movement from producing food “within environmental limits”, beyond food systems that “do no harm”, through to transformative systems that “restore and regenerate”. “Can we imagine food systems that purify water, are carbon positive, agrichemical free, provide greater resilience through biodiversity, generate zero waste, support better health and wellbeing, enhance amenity and underpin shared prosper-

ity?” Johnston asks. “And can these be achieved in ways that grow value for our producers, communities and consumers alike? What are the trade-offs that we must consider?” He says the research has four central themes including: regenerative production ecosystems, future supply chains, provenance and digital twins. Digital twins are well established in the tech industry but are a relatively new approach in the agricultural sciences. These will allow the team to better understand and represent virtually through models the complexity of biological systems and consider how food systems perform as different changes are made. “The beauty about virtual systems is that it allows us to poke and prod and ask a series of ‘what if’ questions,” he told Hort News. “For example, would mixing different perennial and annual species alongside indigenous species improve resilience to pest and disease or ecosystem functions? How might production systems be impacted by climate change? How can producers adapt? Or can we predict how supply chains

might respond to less refrigeration?” Johnstone says the industry is already making significant changes in response to

shifting regulatory policy and market expectations. Particularly topical areas have included agrichemical use, nutrient and water efficiency, green-

house gas emissions, food waste and plastics. However, he anticipates much more will be expected of producers in the future.

Paul Johnstone says the ultimate vision of this research is to deliver future food systems that provide healthy and exciting food options.

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HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2020

Trust and transparency key to hort’s future success David Anderson

AUSTRALIA AND New Zealand’s fresh produce industry needs supply chains that have high levels of trust and transparency for it to experience greater success. This is one of the key

inefficiencies within the fresh produce industry of both countries, and to identify opportunities for improvement and strategies to address consumer trends. “From the producer to the consumer there is a desire for more infor-

findings of the State of the Industry Report 2020, recently released by the Produce Marketing Association Australia - New Zealand Limited (PMA-ANZ). The organisation commissioned Ernst & Young to explore supply chain

mation”, PMA-ANZ chief executive Darren Keating says. “Data sharing, and the challenges that come with it are consistent opportunities for improvement to address consumer trends.” The report also high-

lights key emerging trends, which have arisen rapidly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the arrival of a significant and unexpected new mega driver. “Covid-19 has driven change at a rapid pace, affecting the way we

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Sheep milk demand soars.

Precision tech helps farmer get it right. PAGE 31

State of the art accommodation opens at BoP kiwifruit orchard. PAGE 7

PAGE 21

NEW CHAIR COMPACT ALLR0UNDER Coull takes reigns Krone baler PAGE 32

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS OCTOBER 20, 2020: ISSUE 712

www.ruralnews.co.nz OCTOBER 13, 2020

Payout lifts

ISSUE 457 // www.dairynews.co.nz

GOOD NEWS PETER BURKE

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

THE FORECAST milk payout for this season has gone up by 40c and Fonterra farmers can thank Chinese consumers. The co-operative last week announced a new range of $6.30 to $7.30/kgMS with a new midpoint of $6.80/kgMS. The revised forecast comes just a month after Fonterra announced its annual results. BNZ senior economist Doug Steel told Rural News that he’s not surprised by Fonterra’s announcement, as “underlying tones” in the dairy markets have been improving in recent weeks. In the latest Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, the price of flagship whole milk powder price topped US$3,000/metric tonne. The New Zea-

land dollar has also stabilised. Steel says a stable NZ dollar and strong demand for WMP normally provides upward pressure on the payout. However, he says the wide range of Fonterra’s forecast payout means “anything could still happen”. “There’s a wide range of possible outcomes, we are seeing so much

Crisis looms Growers are warning of looming “significant price rises” for fruits and vegetables thanks to the Government’s refusal to allow overseas workers into the country for harvesting and packhouse duties. Pukekohe’s Hira Bhana and Co Ltd say their business grows a lot of spring crops and needs overseas labour to supplement permanent workers like Taniela Vaioleti, (pictured) who was helping harvest lettuce on one of their farms last week. Growers fear that unharvested crops will lead to shortages and price hikes. Full story page 6.

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uncertainty lingering around...anything could still happen, but for now we are seeing better prices.” Steel says New Zealand’s close attachment to China, especially in terms of selling them dairy products, is paying dividends. “They were first in, first out of Covid and the strong demand for

WMP there gives us hope going forward.” Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the stronger 2020-21 milk price forecast is largely being driven by improved demand in China. He says at a $6.80 milk price, more than $10 billion would flow into regional New Zealand.

peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND’S sheep and beef farms are already close to being carbon neutral and Beef+Lamb NZ believes this strengthens calls for the formal recognition of on-farm sequestration. A study led by Dr Bradley Case at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) estimates the woody vegetation on New Zealand sheep and beef farms is offsetting between 63 and 118% of their on-farm agricultural emissions. B+LNZ chief insight officer Jeremy Baker says the study was initiated as a result of a report last year, which showed that there were about 1.4 million hectares of woody vegetation on sheep and beef farms. He says they wanted to understand how much of that was still sequestering carbon and at what level. “The problem with the ETS scheme is that it is based on planting pines and is very much for the short term and gives a quick hit for carbon sequestration,” he says. “Whereas natives take a lot longer to sequester because they are slower growing but they are there for a longer period and they are also biologically and ecologically more secure.” Report author Bradley Case says there is a strong case for farmers to get credit for the sequestration happening on their farms. – See more page 5

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work, live, eat, move and use technology”, Keating says. “Trends that we had seen as slow burners that were to be prominent in shaping our future are here now.” These include the rapid adoption of communication technology and online shopping, as well as a reset in the way the industry views food safety and health and safety. The report provides support for the Australian

and New Zealand fresh produce industry to identify, understand and adapt to the transformational trends of Covid-19. “It is the starting point for industry, supply chains and businesses to look at the new trends that are shaping our world,” Keating adds. “Factors affecting how we run our businesses, and an understanding of the mindset of the post-pandemic consumer.”

FUTURE OF FRESH PRODUCE IN A POST-COVID WORLD

Farmers welcome sale of loss-making China Farms. PAGE 3

PAGE 16

The fresh produce industry needs supply chains that have high levels of trust and transparency if it’s to experience greater success. Credit: Paul Sutherland Photography.

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SHAPING THE future of fresh produce in a postpandemic world, the survey has identified key drivers of the future, which it says will transition to the new normal in a post Covid-19 world. These include: Occupational health and safety: Employees must be protected from potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus, necessitating significant reviews and redesign of equipment, facilities, and amenities along the entire fresh produce supply chain. Purchasing behaviours: With changing consumer behaviours and expectations, retailers will continue to accelerate the transformation of their trading systems to accommodate efficient and transparent online ordering and delivery of goods and services. Food safety: With widespread concerns about public health, food safety has now become a major focus for consumers and buying public – they want assurances about the origin and integrity of fresh produce, plus evidence that food production, handling, and preparation practices meet acceptable hygiene standards. Technological developments: The pandemic will see a shift from an analogue to a digital world, with a requirement for accurate and immediate access to information access across the food supply chain, in retail, education, healthcare, and manufacturing. To function in a post-pandemic world, the fresh produce supply chain must be more flexible and agile, and not rely upon past practices. It needs to identify new ways of working, embrace technology, protect its workers and consumers and seek partnerships and collaborations that enhance the opportunities.

HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2020

Payroll system specifically developed for orchards Imran Raza

HISTORICALLY PAYROLL software was written for commercial businesses where everything was relatively stock standard. Orchard owners’ needs were not considered. The impact of seasonal and variable work patterns were not catered for. The Holidays Act 2004 was not understood properly, and payroll providers simply turned a blind eye to it as it was all too hard. It is no wonder that there is currently an estimated $2.3bn in outstanding Holiday Pay arising from inaccurate calculations. Orchard owners, until recently, have had no choice regarding a fit-forpurpose timesheet and

payroll software. Many have had to adapt the available software as best they could to meet their needs. However, this has cost orchard owners lots of wasted time in administration of wages, and in some cases, significant sums of money – arising from having to make lump sum payments for historical underpayments and penalties. Payroll software needs to be fit-for-purpose. The whole payroll process should be transparent, with everything automated as much as possible and it is all done in the one system. A horticulture business should be able to use its payroll system as follows:

Using a fit-for-purpose payroll and timesheet system will not only save lots of time, but also help maximise orchard gate returns.

Primarily for paying the correct amounts to their employees Accounting to the IRD Able to have records available for internal and external audits Have the necessary reports and financial analysis to comply with

both legal and internal managerial requirements Maximise their orchard gate profitability by having all the necessary payment options available Securing labour for the orchard at the right times has always been chal-

lenging. With Covid-19 currently hampering the ability to source overseas employees, growers are now having to compete even more for that much smaller pool of labour. One of the levers that growers can pull to secure this labour is to have a

mechanism in their payroll system. This will enable them to seamlessly change pay rates and methods of payments to maximise harvest returns. An orchard payroll system should have the following features: • Cloud-based system, so you can access it from anywhere • Built-in timesheets that will work offline and allow you to capture time in bulk. • Ability to change the hourly rate on the fly daily • Ability to pay on a piece rate, with the unit rate already assigned to your timesheet codes – so calculations are automated with your timesheet entries • Flexibility to change

the piece rates on the fly • Paying on piece rates triggers issues with paid breaks and minimum hourly rates. • Built-in bonus payments feature is also a must, as it enables you to set predetermined criteria to trigger a bonus amount based on the number of hours worked and the units tended to • Using a fit-forpurpose payroll and timesheet system is guaranteed to not only save lots of time, but will also help with maximising orchard gate returns. • Imran Raza is the founder of Agrismart – a Hamilton-based company specialising in developing computer software for horticultural and agricultural enterprises.

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HORTNEWS

NOVEMBER 2020

Helps keep squash weed-free Mark Daniel markd@ruralnews.co.nz

HAWKES BAY squash exporter NH Packing Ltd is a family owned business, which grows 650ha of squash in its own operation.

It is also supplied by local growers to help meet the demands of the export market, as well as growing a further 50ha of pumpkins for the local market. As part of the growing season, both crops require

regular weeding, so in late 2017 the business became the first in New Zealand to invest in an Einbock Row-Guard Cultivator. Hamish Thomas who has risen through the ranks at NH Packing – after joining the busi-

There is limited chemical control for weeds in squash or pumpkins crops, therefore mechanical weeding is a must.

ness around 10 years ago – is the current cropping manager overseeing all growing operations. “I saw the Row-Guard on the Einbock website,” he says. “I liked what I saw and I talked to our local dealer, Tulloch Farm

Farmer Brad Burling and his daughter

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Machines – the importer and distributor.” Thomas explains that there is limited chemical control for weeds in squash or pumpkins crops, therefore mechanical weeding is a must. So much so, that the Row Guard is kept very busy during a season, which runs from mid-October until the first week of January. “The Row-Guard has allowed us to become more accurate and get closer to the plants during weeding, so limits the amount of hand weeding we need to carry out, meaning it saves us both time and money.” At NH Packing, the Row-Guard is used to cultivate three rows of squash on 1.5m row spacings. With the squash plants smaller than the palm of a hand, the need for accuracy and precision are very important. “The machine is pretty

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accurate, so we can scoot along quickly. “It needs a bit of speed to move the dirt away, so it disrupts the weeds and leaves the plant free to grow without disruption,” Thomas says. A camera mounted on the machine is positioned to view either one, two or three rows. As the camera detects the plant row, it can side shift the cultivator up to 250mm either way to avoid taking out any crop. As well as cultivating their own crops with the Einbock, the company also offers the tool to its supplying growers, allowing them to make the most of current technology. It is pulled behind a John Deere 6130R tractor and is easily handled. Typically operating at 8-10km/h – although in ideal conditions it can motor along at a speed of up to 15km/h.