HORTNEWS
Going nuts in Northland. – Page 13
ISSN 2624-3490 (print) ISSN 2624-3504 (online)
Horror rainfalls! JANUARY 2022, ISSUE 20
WWW.HORTNEWS.CO.NZ
Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
IT WILL take between six to eight months for commercial growers in the Horowhenua region to fully recover from the disastrous heavy rains that hit the region in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In the space of 10 days, more than 300mm of rain fell in the area – three times the usual December rainfall total. Locals says they have never seen anything like this before. The rain came at a critical time as vegetable and strawberry growers were trying to supply supermarkets for the Christmas trade. Many growers lost crops at this time. President of the Tararua Vegetable Growers Association, whose members include those in Horowhenua, says he’s never seen anything like the rain that fell in December. Terry Olsen told Hort News that it’s not uncommon to have a wet December. He says it’s still too hard to estimate the exact cost of the rains. Olsen is a potato grower and talking to other growers says it would seem that between 10 and 15% of the crop has been lost so far. “The thing is that sometimes you think you have a reasonable potato crop but when you come to harvest and process them, many aren’t fit for purpose,” he told Hort News. “So, there is always an impact that is far wider than you first visualise. You can’t look at potato crop on the surface and say it’s okay – unlike some vegetables. It’s not until they’re harvested that you get the complete picture.” Olsen says losing crops is one thing, but with the amount of rain they’ve had, the paddocks were so wet it was
Horowhenua strawberry grower Kevin Donovan drying out strawberries in late December, which had just been picked.
impossible to get machinery on to them to replant crops, fertilise and spray. He says the rain is hard on crops, soils and people. The problem is compounded by staff shortages facing con-
tractors, because insufficient skilled overseas workers are being allowed into the country. Olsen says contactors are stretched to the limit. He says he other problem in Horow-
henua has been the lack of sunshine. “Strawberry growers have been particularly impacted by this because their crops could not ripen,” Olsen explains. “Prior to Christmas, there were a lot of
dull overcast days and only recently have we seen hot sunny days.” Olsen is hoping it gets to a stage when growers in the region can get a smile back on their faces.
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HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
Big wet takes sting out of bees Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
retaining good prices. “But we still have a lot of other honeys the clovers, the bush honeys that have been slow to move so we are still seeing a lot of honey sitting in sheds around the country.” Kos says it’s been quite pleasing to hear from some beekeepers, especially in the South Island, that their bush and clover honey is now selling and moving – and at better prices than they were even a year ago. She says one of these challenges goes back to
THE HEAVY rains in the lower North Island and parts of Northland in December has kept bees in these areas in their hives – unwilling it seems to venture out in the poor weather. Apiculture NZ chief executive Karin Kos says some of the rains in these places have been horrendous and coupled with a cold and windy spring may affect honey production. However, she’s had a report from a beekeeper on the West Coast of the South Island who was having a good season with Rata and Manuka in full bloom making for The Australian M good honey producanuka Honey Asso ciation (AMHA) says it’s de tion. lighted that the UK Intellectual Property Kos says it is very Office (IPO) has re jec te d an application by hard, at this stage, to a group of New Ze aland producers to trade determine just what mark the words “m anuka honey”. the production and The Australians cla yield for the season im the decision wi ll have widespread will be. ramifications in ju ris di ctions beyond the The honey indusUnited Kingdom. “In reaching its de try is still facing cision, the IPO ac cepted there was signific challenges but in ant evidence that th e general public un terms of exports derstands mānuk a honey is not produced exclu the prospects are sively in New Zeala nd, but rather originates promising. Kos says from a number of pl ac es including Australia for the year 20/21, ,” AMHA chairman Pa ul Callander said. the value of honey “This decision is th exports was close e right decision an d a fair decision. Th to $500 million – e term mānuka ha s be en used in Australia roughly the same since the 1800s an d th e Australian indust as the previous ry has invested sig nificantly for decade year. s in mānuka hone y science, research and mar “Consumketing. It would be de eply unfair – and finan ers around the cially devastating – to deny that reality.” world are looking
NZ EXPORTERS STUNG!
for good healthy products and honey absolutely fits that bill and so that is great result for us,” she told Hort News. “The point I would make though is that while there is huge demand for NZ honey overseas with the demand strongest for good quality mānuka honey which is
weather and last season was rather poor resulting in a significant drop in production with the average honey yield per hive falling by about 18% to 25kg. “A result that didn’t surprise our beekeepers,” she adds.
Heavy rains in the lower North Island and parts of Northland in December kept bees in their hives.
FREIGHT COSTS HIT INDUSTRY KOS SAYS freight rates have shot up by 300% since Covid. She says this is making exporting that much harder, not to mention the ongoing global shipping delays. Kos says the industry has continued to grow over the last few years and there are about 800,000 hives around the country. “But we don’t have skilled beekeepers that we need, so we have been dependent on getting beekeepers from overseas,” she told Hort News. “So, trying to find that labour shortfall under Covid has been challenging – especially for some of the bigger companies.” Kos says the other issue that has arisen out of Covid is that some of the larger honey producing companies have been unable to get overseas to see key clients. She says
Also not helping clear honey stocks domestically is the lack of tourists, who often stop at honey outlets to buy produce. Covid has also put paid to farmers markets, where much local honey is sold.
The NZ honey industry is still facing challenges but in terms of exports the prospects are promising. nothing beats face-to-face contact and says many are hoping to get overseas in 2022. Overall, Koss says it’s a bit of
a two-sided story. “Huge exports and records, but also some challenges out there.”
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HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
NZ kiwifruit sector facing a major dilemma – grower body
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Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
WHO’LL REPLACE the backpackers? That’s the dilemma facing the kiwifruit industry this season, which is looking at a shortage of 6,500 workers. NZ Kiwifruit Growers (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond says this shortage is due mainly to the lack of backpackers who aren’t in the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Bond told Hort News that kiwifruit growers in the Eastern Bay of Plenty have generally recruited their labour force locally. But he says for many others it’s a whole new ball game because historically they have relied heavily on backpackers to pick their crop. “The reality is now that the backpacker labour force has effectively dried up and many growers are having to work out what to do to attract New Zealanders to work for them,” Bond explains. “We are having active conversations within our industry as to what the labour force of the future may look like and how we can move from reliance on a seasonal workforce to have a more permanent workforce. We need a workforce that gives certainty to both the employers and employ-
ees and hopefully opens up new opportunities and gives people the chance to travel to the regions to live and work there in the sector.” Bond says NZKGI is actively working to somehow create a new workforce for the industry. They have a strategy which is about continuing with their labour attraction programme and working with MPI on their Opportunity Grows programme to attract as many Kiwis as they can. He says they are working with industry and previous employees as to how to improve workers retention within the industry and are working with our other product groups to make sure all are aligned on strategy, and to share resources where they can. “Finally, we are working with government to make sure they understand the issues and initiate policies which might help us out.”
NZ Kiwifruit Growers (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond (inset) says the kiwifruit industry is facing at a shortage of 6,500 workers this season.
BUMPER CROP COMING? COLIN BOND says, so far the weather has generally been kind to the kiwifruit sector. He notes there has been hail in Motueka, wind in Opotiki and rain in Gisborne, but says – by and large – the weather won’t have much of an effect on production. He says given this, and fact that some new plantings will come on stream this season, there could be a bumper crop. “So overall the signs are good, with MPI in its latest situation and outlook report predicting that in
Bond says attracting New Zealanders to the industry may require employers to think differently about the conditions of employment.
2022 kiwifruit exports will earn NZ $2.9 billion and rise to $3 billion in 2023.” However, Bond sounds a warning about the unpredictability of Covid. “In the last 18 months the primary sector has had some challenges around labour and supply chains and weather,” he says. “So, that reminds us that while the headline returns are strong, there are challenges in achieving those today and there are some more challenges on the horizon.”
“For example, they may need to think about flexible hours, accommodation and transport.” He says many growers who employ RSE
worker have made significant capital investment in accommodation and says others may have to consider doing the same to attract workers from
other parts of NZ to their regions. Bond says pay rates for picking range from $20 to $40 an hour. He says in post-harvest facilities it’s the living wage and above. “While the cost of sprays and other inputs have increased, by far the biggest costs facing orchardists is labour,” he explains. “This includes the cost of contractors who are often employed to undertake certain work on orchards – such as pruning or pollination. “Other cost rises are around putting in new infrastructure for new plantings of kiwifruit or for buildings.” In the lead up to the
main kiwifruit harvest, which begins in late February with the picking of Red kiwifruit, much of the workforce has been locals – particularly university students. As well, the industry is getting in the usual number of RSE workers from the Pacific Islands, who are much valued by the industry. Bond says they are highly motivated, having been prepared to leave their homes to earn money to support their families. While the university students provide a valuable workforce in preparing the crop for picking, they start their studies at the time the kiwifruit harvest begins. Many return in their holidays in April and are able to help.
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HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
Horticulture plays its part in NZ primary sector boom David Anderson and Leo Argent
NEW ZEALAND’S primary sector will crack the $50 billion mark in export earnings this year with the horticulture sector playing its part, according to MPI projections. MPI’s Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report predicts that the country’s annual primary sector export revenue will hit a record $50.8 billion in the year to June 2022 – an increase of 6% over 2021 earnings. Horticulture’s export revenue is forecast to rise 4.8% to $6.9 billion for the year, with increased production for both kiwifruit and apples expected. However, lower prices due to large avocado crops in New Zealand and Australia and a reduced grape harvest in 2021 will decrease export revenue for these sectors. Projections for the 2021 apple and pear export season has export volumes and prices performing better than midseason forecasts. Exports are expected to reach around 360,000 tonnes (20 million cartons) and $831 million for the year to 31 December 2021. MPI says the reduction in export volumes for the 2021 crop (down by 10% on 2020) was caused by a significant hail event in the Nelson-Tasman region in December 2020, smaller average fruit size for some varieties and labour supply challenges. It adds that market demand from Asia has been strong with increased export volumes to Vietnam, Taiwan, India and Japan. India provided export market opportunities for apples from the Nelson region with cosmetic hail damage. Less fruit was exported to Europe in 2021 due mainly to lower production of Braeburn, Royal Gala and Jazz apples from hail damage. A combination of a smaller export crop overall, good market demand and a greater proportion of premium apple varieties such as Rockit and
Pacific Queen resulted in higher export prices (in New Zealand dollars) for most varieties. The SOPI report projects a much smaller annual increase in the planted area of apples and pears due for harvest in 2022, compared with previous years. It says growers are responding to ongoing labour shortages, shipping disruptions and rising costs by removing poorer performing orchard blocks and varieties and investing in labour-saving equipment where possible. There is potential for the 2022 apple and pear crop to reach up to 625,000 tonnes (up 7–12%) despite the removal of some mature orchards due to young trees maturing, higher planting densities on new orchards and assuming average climatic conditions. MPI says the industry continues working hard to find labour to assist with harvesting this projected increase in the pipfruit crop. This is due to current low unemployment rates and reduced numbers of seasonal workers. The SOPI report says kiwifruit exports increased by 6% to $2.7 billion in the year to 30 June 2021. MPI forecasts kiwifruit export revenue for the year to 30 June 2022, which includes part of the coming season starting in March 2022, to reach $2.9 billion. This 8% increase on the previous year is driven by greater volumes of gold kiwifruit. Export production is estimated at 184 million trays for the current 2021/22 season, up 13% on 2019-2020. This includes an expected 15% increase in gold kiwifruit volumes and an 11% rise in green kiwifruit production. Meanwhile, commercial quantities of Red19 kiwifruit marketed under the new RubyRed name are expected to come online in the 2022/23
“Pretty impressive” is how Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor describes MPI’s latest prediction that horticulture exports will hit the record $7 billion mark in 2023.
Projections for the 2021 apple and pear export season has export volumes and prices performing better than mid-season forecasts. Exports are expected to reach around 360,000 tonnes (20 million cartons) and $831 million for the year to 31 December 2021. MPI says the reduction in export volumes for the 2021 crop (down by 10% on 2020) was caused by a significant hail event in the Nelson-Tasman region in December 2020, smaller average fruit size for some varieties and labour supply challenges.
season, which MPI says will begin to contribute more significantly to export earnings as production increases. The area of this variety is set to rise with 350 hectares to be licensed in 2022 and up to 500 hectares signalled for the year after. The report expects continued growth for New Zealand kiwifruit exports, saying the product range is well placed in markets and has benefited during the Covid-19 pandemic from consumer preference for healthy foods and availability in supermarkets. This avocado season
was the fourth consecutive year of strong production volumes and growing conditions are favourable for the coming season. However, large volumes of fruit have resulted in weaker export demand which has pushed down prices and returns for growers. Additionally, increasing competition from South American growers, especially Chile, has cut into NZ’s Asian markets. NZ Avocado export revenue to Australia is down 73% to $8.6 million in the September 2021 quarter, compared with the same period last year.
Medium term avocado volumes are expected to rise due to increased planting worldwide which is likely to put downward pressure on prices. On the upside, demand for avocado in Asian markets has picked up in the September 2021 quarter resulting in higher export volumes compared with the same time last year, especially for Taiwan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Overall, under current low export prices and weaker export demand, SPOI estimates that New Zealand avocado export
revenue to be about $115 million and 4.4 million trays for the year to 30 June 2022. This is around $43 million lower than the export revenue seen in the year to 30 June 2021. Onion exports from the 2021 crop exceeded expectations driven by high yields and bulb quality from favourable climatic conditions. However, shipping disruptions meant that some consignments missed targeted market windows. These disruptions, along with higher shipping costs, contributed to a lower average export price for the season. Meanwhile, MPI says growers anticipating ongoing disruptions and high costs for shipping and have reduced the overall planted area of onions for the 2021/22 season by around 4%. It adds that the anticipated recovery in export volumes is reliant on the hospitality sector being less impacted by Covid-19 and fewer shipping constraints. Summer fruit growers in the main growing
regions of Hawke’s Bay and Otago are hopeful of a better 2021/22 season. Orchards received good winter chill and fruit set has been reported as average to good. The report says that while overall yields will be down, fruit will be of higher quality and size and easier to harvest. It expected this combination of lower yield, good size and quality should help maintain good export prices. With summer holidays coinciding with the main harvest period growers and packers have several campaigns planned or under way to attract students to help harvest crops. Cherry export revenue is forecast to increase to $68 million in the year to 30 June 2021, up from $55 million on the previous year. This rise in export revenue is expected to be mostly driven by a 20% increase in volume to 3 million kilograms, while export prices are expected to increase 3% compared with last year. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
NZ hort sector continues to face logistical headwinds Peter Burke
“We think that there will major problems getting our perishable products to market on schedule to meet customer requirements. There is a lot of uncertainty around which is creating extra tension and stress in the sector.”
peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
NZ’S HORTICULTURE sector is facing headwinds on a number of fronts, according to Horticultural Export Authority (HEA) chief executive Simon Hegarty. HEA is the sector organisation which promotes the export of horticultural products and also liaises with sector stakeholder groups on matters relating to market access, trade barriers and their removal. Hegarty says while market prospects for products look reasonably promising for the coming seasons, the logistics supply chain issues are as bad – if not worse – than last year with no exporters immune from disruptions. “We think that there will major problems getting our perishable products to market on schedule to meet customer requirements,” he told Hort News. “There is a lot of uncertainty around which is creating extra tension and stress in the sector.” Hegarty says some sectors, such as kiwifruit, are better placed because they have scale and can manage or partly manage some of the issues through existing charter arrangements. However, he says it will still be affected or at least partly affected in some
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Simon Hegarty believes that while market prospects for products look reasonably promising for the coming seasons, the logistics supply chain issues are as bad – if not worse – than last year.
shape or form “Certainly, the smaller to mediumsized operators will have a tough time securing space at affordable rates,” he adds. “The larger ones will also have complications and difficulties as well.” Hegarty says the shipping lines are mostly focused on the Asia to
North American, and Asia to Europe trades – which are the most lucrative at the moment. He says there has been a lot of rescheduling of shipping to those zones. “This means the more isolated destinations or pick up points – such as NZ – drop down the priority ladder. We are going
to be finding fewer vessels calling and greater difficulty getting equipment such as reefer containers, which are needed for most of our food exports.” Hegarty says another issue is that with fewer and larger vessels coming to NZ, it is likely that some of the smaller ports
will find themselves left off the schedules. This is not new, but it is likely to extend deep into 2022. “There will also be difficulties getting product on vessels because of the competition for space,” he told Hort News. “With reduced number of vessels calling to NZ and more infrequently,
competition for securing space on these vessels, not to mention the historically high shipping rates, add to the uncertainty,” he explains. “Shipping rates are at least four times higher than they were pre-Covid, so the cost and delays they may encounter to get to their destination ports are
going to make exporting very risky.” Hegarty says there is not much an individual exporter can do to change the present situation because it is a global logistics issue. He says everyone is the victim of broader circumstances and the best they can do is manage their individual risks as best they can. He believes that the logistical cost increases and risks will place greater pressure on net returns. “It is certainly going to be a tough period ahead for exports.”
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HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
Finding back-up for backpackers key for the apple sector A SASSY LITTLE NUMBER!
Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
THE APPLE industry needs to work hard to get more New Zealanders to work on orchards to replace the backpackers that, until Covid, provided a significant proportion of the sector’s workforce. Chair of Apples and Pears NZ, Richard Punter, says everyone in the sector is going to suffer from the shortage of backpackers this coming season. He says while the final numbers on this year’s apple crop are not yet out, the word around is that it’s going to be a bumper one. Punter says many growers are doing some innovative things to attract people to pick their apple crops by providing such things as accommodation. “We at Apples and Pears can only encourage and facilitate on that one,” he told Hort News. “We are not directly involved and despite all that is being done there will still not be enough people to pick the crop but we can only do our best.” Punter says the good news is that there will upwards of 1,400 RSE workers available this season and that will be a big help. He says these
Apple and Pears NZ chair Richard Punter says the sector needs to work hard to get more New Zealanders to work on orchards to replace backpackers - CREDIT PAUL SUTHERLAND PHOTOGRAPHY.
workers who are from the Pacific Islands will start arriving January, in time for the harvest. “That puts us back to pre-Covid levels. We are still talking to the Government and Immigration NZ, who are being very helpful – so from that point of view things are okay,” he adds. Punter says the RSE workers are highly-skilled individuals who have good hand to eye coordination and can pick fruit quickly and to the high specifications required. “If you are picking apples you have to be
fit and agile and want to earn. If you are all of those things you are going to earn good money,” he explains. Punter believes NZ has become a very urbanised society and many of these skills simply don’t exist today. Looking to the current season he says the same problems that occurred last year are likely to rear their heads again. He points to the fact that there are essentially three groups of growers – large, medium and small and the smaller orchardists that worry him the most.
“The big guys will soldier on and the second group will do it a bit tougher but they will be there,” Punter told Hort News. “But it’s the third group – the family orchards where the catastrophic damage gets done. I don’t mean this in a critical way. But they don’t have the financial resilience to see themselves through these situations. “I remember years ago when I lost my whole peaches crop to frost. I was just stunned that in 45 minutes the entire
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crop was gone. I was lucky because I didn’t do that for a full time living,” he says. Punter reckons the larger orchardists are able to build accommodation for pickers, but that comes at an astonishing capital cost and is outside the range of the smaller growers. He says despite the influx of RSE workers this season there is still going to be a shortage of people to pick the apple crop and more work still has to go into attracting New Zealanders to work on the land.
A NEW apple variety, starting to be grown in Nelson and Hawke’s Bay, is initially destined for the export market. Next Generation Apples, a collaboration between growers Golden Bay Fruit and Hawke’s Bay-based Taylors, owns the global licensing rights for the new apple called Sassy. Described as crunchy and firm, with “sweetness and attitude”, brilliant red skin and “zing”, Sassy was developed from Scifresh, Fuji and Sciros apples by New Zealand crown research organisation Plant and Food Research. It was commercialised by Prevar New Zealand. Small volumes of the apple are being grown in Nelson and Hawke’s Bay and will initially be exported for sale in China and Vietnam. However, some of the apples are also being held domestically as samples for interested growers. Next Generation Apples chief executive Evan Heywood says while Sassy wouldn’t be available for New Zealand consumers this year, it is likely to be in the future as more growers took the variety on and volumes increased. Sassy was an early harvest variety, being ready for picking around mid-February in the Nelson region, about seven to 10 days before Royal Gala apples. Heywood says this presented a commercial advantage. “If you get into the markets early with new season apples there’s a premium there. It’s a good way to kick your season off.” Heywood believes Sassy’s firmness gave it a “snappy crunch” with a long shelf life. He says the new apple variety also had high levels of anthocyanin – a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
A mixed bag for the hort sector Leo Argent
HORTICULTURE NZ’S annual report for 20202021 shows it was a mixed bag for the country’s growers. It says there was growth in the sector and a general sense of rising to last year’s challenges. However, this was countered by difficulty in finding skilled labourers, the effects of climate change and uncertainty regarding the future resulting in muted enthusiasm for the coming year. “The past 12 months will likely go down as the most bizarre and interrupted year in most of our lifetimes,” Hort NZ president Barry O’Neil explained. He says that despite the unprecedented challenges the horticulture sector quickly adapted. O’Neil claims it adopted a more collaborative approach with other growers to growing crops, recruiting talented Kiwis and engaging with government on plan changes – as well as promoting recognition of horticultural land and its importance in feeding the nation. “Some challenges have been from things out of our control like Covid-19, extreme weather events and shipping disruptions,” he added. “But others should have been under our control if the Government supported our need to access Pacific seasonal labour to ensure our crops are picked and packed.” The lack of skilled temp and permanent workers from abroad and the difficulty of getting local Kiwis into taking up these jobs was – along with the international dif-
ficulties in shipping the harvested produce – the main source of trouble for the sector. Meanwhile, extreme weather events were more regionalized sources of trouble. Although the report points to how in the early days of the pandemic, meetings between Hort NZ and the Government was able to keep the horticulture industry sector open. It nevertheless admits that it was unsuccessful in keeping many smaller, independent fruit and veg retailers open during the first lockdown. In subsequent lockdowns these independent retailers where allowed to stay open, however, the initial lockdown still caused a significant drop in business and revenue for said retailers. O’Neil says that engagement with government through advocacy and industry representatives is key to preserving the gains being made for growers, and preventing losses. “With such a complex change agenda, not all proposals are aligned, so we end up having to advocate [so] that the left and right hands talk to each other,” he says. “As Queen Elizabeth II once famously said, it was our ‘annus horribilis’, so let’s hope going forward we return to annus mirabilis!” The report also highlights that despite the challenges, horticulture largely rose to the economic task with an overall New Zealand market value of $6.73 billion. Earning $4.55 billion in exports, up from $4.2 billion in 2019. Some 83% of surveyed growers also expressed
Se l f
Sh a
rpen
ing
satisfaction in Hort NZ’s representation of issues facing growers. “As an organisation, we are totally committed to working on your behalf to deliver the best possible outcomes
for members and for growing in New Zealand,” O’Neil added. “We would like to express our thanks to all growers and the wider horticultural sector for their ongoing commitment and passion.”
Hort NZ president Barry O’Neil described the past 12 months as one of the most bizarre and interrupted years ever.
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HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
Christmas cheery on top! Peter Burke peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
WHAT STARTED off as a hobby in the Hawkes Bay is a now a successful business where the main market for the produce is Auckland. Jerf van Beek owns and operates a six hectares of cherry orchard at Twyford, a small township west of
Hastings and close to the nearby Ruahine Ranges. The climate is different to the main cherry growing area of Central Otago; the cherries from van Beek’s Riverside Cherry Orchard mature early and are ready for the lucrative NZ Christmas market. The climate is warm and the soil is fertile and in a good year the orchard can produce about 50 tonnes of cherries.
“Auckland is our key market and we target that market and over the years we have built up some good customer loyalty and a reputation for quality,” he told Hort News. “The Christmas market is
key and the supermarkets want our product in the two weeks before Christmas. We do sell some cherries to Wellington, but Auckland is our main market. Currently we don’t export our fruit, but a few years ago we did export some just to prove we could
Riverside cherries mature early and are ready for the lucrative NZ Christmas market and – in a good year – the orchard can produce about 50 tonnes of cherries.
PICKING AND PACKING – A MOST FRUITFUL TIME! THE PICKING season at Riverside Cherries is just over a month – from November the 16 to December 23. Van Beek says while many other fruit growing operations are suffering from the shortage of labour, he is not. For most of the year, he and his wife and one other FTE manage the operation. However, come November, upwards of 40 additional staff come on to the orchard to help pick and pack the crop. “We are very fortunate because we have some very good university students who come back here every year and
they work for us,” he told Hort News. “They bring a lot of experience and they train the new students – so that when they leave we have good continuity. “These young people are very bright and make the place hum. My packhouse manager is just 20 years of age and I have another student who’s doing an environmental science degree and she is looking after the quality control.” Van Beek says he also employs some secondary school students who are over 17 years of age. He says they are also good, responsible young people. He knows most of their parents
and says that helps a lot. On the employment front, van Beek also is an executive of a local cooperative of about 400 RSE workers, which supplies staff to local small and medium fruit growers in the Hawkes Bay. This is not just for cherries, but also apples and other summer fruits. As part of this role, he has been allocated eight RSE workers to work on his orchard. But van Beek says if for any reason he doesn’t need these people, they go back into the pool to help other growers. “But if I get desperate for labour I can call these people back at a moment’s notice.”
The picking season at Riverside Cherries is just over a month – from mid-November to late December, where upwards of 40 additional staff come on to the orchard to help pick and pack the crop.
HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022 and as part of having a plan B,” he adds. Before he became a cherry orchardist, van Beek had a career managing apple orchards and growing export apples on his own behalf. Since 2000, he and wife Carla have built up an amazing business with an emphasis on and a commitment to quality and sustainability. Van Beek says they also crop a small quantity of a special cherry called a Rainier, which is very hard to grow. Rainiers are considered a premium type of cherry and are sweet with a thin skin and thick creamyyellow flesh. The fruit is very sensitive to temperature, wind, and rain. The flesh is generally sweeter than other red cherry varieties. “It looks stunning in the box and kids can eat it without staining their clothes, which pleases their mothers,” he told Hort News. For van Beek, running the cherry orchard is still, as he puts it, a hobby. He
says the learning process never stops because of all the different challenges that one has to deal with. He says the good thing is that they have a full crop and part of the reason for that is they have invested in rain cover for two thirds of the six hectare orchard. “Rain covers are very expensive and sometimes you doubt whether it is worth it because there is a lot of labour and other costs associated with it,” he explains. “This year it has paid off, but we are aware that in some years it will be of no benefit and in fact may cost us.” He says rain covers actually put the brakes on the crop because it shades the trees and they are not as efficient as they should and delays productivity. “We have spent a lot of time and development with a producer to make sure the rain covers we do have let in a lot of light and energy through, which is very important.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
Jeff van Beek says part of the reason for having a full cherry crop each season is the investment they’ve made in rain cover for two thirds of the six hectare orchard.
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HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
Seasonal Employee/Employer Development (SEED) employment and training provides mentoring to industry recruits, helping them to build careers in horticulture or other industries.
Work training programme aims to germinate more industry growth WHEN CRASBORNS Freshmax took on around 30 youth all in one go in March 2020, people were looking sideways at their human resources manager Ross Howard. “I got some strange looks. Some people thought we’d bitten off more of the apple than we could possibly chew. “It was pretty bold but it was totally worth it, looking back,” Howard says. Three of the young people’s achievements were recognised recently. Fittingly, they were graduates of the Crasborns Freshmax SEED Rangatahi industry training initiative launched in 2020 by Work and Income. Seasonal Employee/ Employer Development (SEED) employment and training provides mentoring to industry recruits, helping them to build careers in horticulture or
BUILDING WORKFORCE CAPACITY THE CRASBORNS Freshmax Rangatahi SEED programme has seen 37 job-seekers graduate since it began in January 2020. It is helping build workforce capacity in the growing horticulture sector. Twenty of the graduates have gone on to permanent jobs with the company. SEED employers supporting the new talent including T&G Global, Crasborns FreshMax, Bostocks NZ, and Mr Apple. “There’s this idea that people working in horticulture, especially in the pip fruit industry, are just doing seasonal work and picking apples,”
other industries. Two SEED graduates, Parris Ratima and Kathryn Botherway, are now employed with Gourmet Blueberries in Hastings. Gourmet Blueberries was established in the Bay in 2000 and has undergone rapid growth. “A 12ha greenhouse is currently being built to further increase their
production. Greenhouse manager Phil Ferrier says that with the rapid growth, they are needing new blood. Speaking during the graduation function, he shared the following comments about Ratima and Botherway: “Although they’ve only just started out on their journey with us, I can see
says Work and Income labour market manager for East Coast Robyn Leake. “But it’s far more than that – it’s about offering great career opportunities, especially for young people. SEED is creating careers in a growth sector.” SEED tailors each programme to the individual and their needs. Participants gain nationally recognised skills training and qualifications while they’re employed. While much of the training is on the job and about the industry, participants also receive oneon-one, individualised pastoral care and mentor support.
they’re both going to be successful, and proven themselves in so many ways – they should be very proud of themselves. “Blueberry propagation and production is highly technical. “They are working with a new variety, a number one variety from the US,” Ferrier explains. “Kathryn has shown
her ability in pricking out the new seedlings that are tissue cultivated . It’s delicate work. It looks like we’ll need up to 10,000 of these seedlings to meet future demand.” While Botherway dreams of working in the cruise ship industry, the pandemic put that on hold. Joining the Gourmet crew in the medium term
has proven a win/win. “Although it wasn’t my first choice, it’s been a good opportunity to learn a lot and appreciate getting work here,” she says. Ratima has been mentored by Rapi Kupa, an assistant grower with Gourmet. They are part of a young team that exude confidence and Kupa has built a great rapport with them. “When the boss isn’t around, they are head down and into it which always speaks volumes to me of their commitment,” Ferrier explains. Ratima’s next step will be to get on the machinery. “He’s got a real focus which is what we need for operators on expensive kit,” Ferrier adds. “We’ve got new sprayers valued at around $20,000 so it’s critical that we get the right people and Parris
has that potential.” Pastoral care is a key ingredient for the success of SEED workers. Tim Snape and Tim Bloor attended the function on behalf of Land Based Training, who provide pre-employment training ahead of job placement and ongoing pastoral care to employees once placed with the employer. They also check in regularly with the employer to check on progress and address any difficulties early on. Bloor says offering that go-between often resolves issues around transport and work/home-life balance quickly, with Work and Income work brokers in the wings when needed. “Driver licences are a common barrier for many rangatahi and getting their full licenses are next steps for both Parris and Kathryn.”
HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
Hort sector jumps on regen train TWO OF New Zealand’s largest horticultural businesses – T&G Global and Zespri – are teaming up with science organisation Plant & Food Research on a new project investigating regenerative horticulture. It will look into researching, developing, defining and promoting sustainable regenerative horticulture practices within the kiwifruit, apple and berry industries. Plant & Food believes the project has the potential to be one of the most extensive horticultural research programmes in NZ. It is partially funded through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund. The first part of the project will involve an exploration of regenerative practices and market analysis. The goal of this will be to move to a longer-term programme of
research – including scientific and market validation – along with the implementation of science and grower-backed practices in regenerative horticulture. T&G Global’s Gareth Edgecombe says the project is hugely exciting for the industry. “For generations, we’ve grown premium, healthy fresh produce for consumers around the world, evolving our practices as our knowledge grows and consumer needs change,” he explains “With consumers and businesses alike seeking to consume and produce food that improves, enhances and supports the environment in which we grow in, we, together with Zespri and Plant & Food Research, want to validate and advance regenerative horticultural practices in NZ.” Edgecombe says while a lot of global research
has gone into regenerative agricultural practices, the same can’t be said for horticulture. He add that the sector is heavily nuanced and relies on continual research and innovation into growing
practices, pest and disease management, and on orchard management practices. Zespri’s Rachel Depree says the kiwifruit marketer has a strong commitment to sustainable
practice. She believes this project represents an opportunity to explore what the regenerative horticulture concept could mean for the NZ kiwifruit industry. “Our market research
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.
things to different people and it’s important to put any global principles into a New Zealand context. “In general, our growers are well connected to what their land needs to produce high yields and high quality,” he adds. “For NZ, regenerative horticulture is also about better engagement with workers, linking with communities, and the principles of Te Taiao and the mātauranga that underpins it.” Clothier says if the NZ hort sector wants to remain competitive in the global marketplace, it’s important it uses scientific analysis to quantify the impact of our horticultural practices on the land and soil health in the long term. “We must align our practices and our reporting with what the consumer expects from our premium produce.”
also indicates consumers are increasingly interested in the idea of regeneration,” Depree explains. “It’s important we understand how these practices link to this emerging concept of regenerative horticulture and what value there is in this for our consumers and our growers.” The first year of the project is currently underway and focused on conducting scientific research on what is known about regenerative practices. In parallel, market analysis will be undertaken to understand consumer perceptions and drivers. This will include working with iwi and growers to collaborate and build a widely agreed definition of regenerative horticulture for the industry. Plant & Food Research’s Dr Brent Clothier says regenerative agriculture means different
T&G Global and Zespri – are teaming up with Plant & Food Research on a new project investigating regenerative horticulture.
HORTNEWS NOVEMB ER 2021 , ISSUE
Bumper cherry cro p predicted – Page 7
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NEXGTETISTINSGUE PUBRLIEASDYH!ED MAR 2, 2022 MANGAW EKA ASP ARAGUS Sam Rain manager ey overse es an 80 asparagus hectare in the cen tral North When Hor Island. t News visi ted the pro in late Sep perty tember, Rainey and were in the his staff final stag es of pre for the har paring vest. The packhouse being set was up and at the sam first spe e time the ars of asp aragus wer to appear e starting . While the total size property of the is 80 hec tares, the just 65 hec y will pick tares this season – equates which to up to 250 tonnes. See story pages 4 and 5.
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HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
Digging the dirt on avocados Finding what common soil characteristics define a high-yielding avocado orchard could help increase production by creating a benchmark for growers. Delwyn Dickey reports. THE AVOCADO industry is one of New Zealand’s horticultural success stories. In 1939, fruit from nine avocado trees, raised from seed, were sold in Auckland. More than 80 years later there are now 4,000ha of avocado trees bringing $234 million into the country each year. Around half of the orchards are in the Bay of Plenty area, with large pockets around Whangarei and in the Far North, including 500ha of new plantings in the last five years in the Far North and 400ha at Tapora, west of Wellsford in north Auckland. Growers have become very good at managing their orchards to produce good quality fruit and bigger yields. “Increasingly, growers are becoming interested in their soil biology as a potential avenue for productivity,” says Phillip West, research director with NZ Avocado’s research programme. “But they don’t yet have a benchmark for what an avocado soil should look like.” Setting that benchmark was the intention of the High- Performance Soils for Avocado project – funded by Our Land and Water’s Rural Professionals Fund. A typical orchard might produce around 10 t/ha of fruit each year. But some regularly produce more than 15 t/ha. While others nearly double that, regardless of which area they’re in and general soil make-up. There are high organic matter soils in the Bay of Plenty, more clay in the Mid-North and sandy soil in the Far North. Tony Bradley, NZIPIMregistered consultant and
head of orchard management company Aongatete Avocados, consults with 65 orchards in the Katikati/Tauranga area and some participated in the trial. He believes the industry needs to be heading toward more sustainable practices to enhance their image in the market. “We all have slightly different recipes. So, creating the benchmark of what a good high-yielding orchard soil looks like is an important start,” he explains. “From there, they can look at nutrient
loss and nutrient performance within those high-yield orchards and how it affects fruit quality.” For former grower and now NZ Avocado project and sustainability manager Sarah Sorensen, who oversaw the project, issues like compaction and nutrient manipulation were of most interest during her orcharding days. “The current interest in soil biology is showing how quickly the industry is evolving,” she says. Seeking balance Heather and Gavin
Chapman have a lowyielding 4.2 ha orchard with good quality fruit at Bethlehem near Tauranga. They have trees planted on raised
humped rows to help drainage. They only mow the orchard four times a year to reduce compaction and allow grasses and weeds to flower for the bees, as well to retain soil moisture in the orchard overall in summer. Aside from these things, they generally follow industry guidelines for orchard management and input regimes. The Chapmans were keen to find out what makes the higher-yielding orchards tick. “We need to under-
stand the relationship between the quality of our soils and our productivity and impacts of the inputs that we make,” Heather says. “We might be benefiting our crop, but if you’re actually causing the soil to deteriorate that’s not a sustainable situation either.” Some 29 orchards were investigated for the project (16 were highyield producing over 15 t/ ha average over four years and 13 were lowyield at under 15 t/ha). There was good data already for 17 of the Bay of Plenty orchards, gleaned from being part of an earlier ‘Avovantage’ project. Two additional highyielding orchards in the area were trialling new cultivars. Five high-yield orchards from both the Mid-North and the Far North were also included. This saw Miguel Tapia, a research engineer with NZ Avocado, set out on a research odyssey of visual soil assessments and collection of soil, leaf and fruit samples from 10 trees on each of the orchards for analysis. Leaf and fruit samples showed no correlation to yield. Nor did the visual soil assessment relate to yield.
Miguel Tapia, a research engineer with NZ Avocado.
The methods used by Soil Foodweb, Linnaeus and Hill Laboratories to measure the soil biology were different and provided different results. The Hills Hot Water Extractible Carbon method gave a measure of total microbial biomass. Soil Foodweb measured various microbial populations using microscope and counting. Linnaeus used molecular markers to quantify the amounts of different microbial populations. None of the parameters tested cor-
related well to avocado yield. Including all data in a machine learning algorithm showed that no single biological or nutrient variable could be used as a statistically significant identifier of crop performance. While orchard management practices were not part of the project, the results suggest some correlations may be a result of management on high-yield orchards, rather than from soil characteristics.
Although the data did not show any significant results, it can be used to refine future studies. Data from the 17 orchards that participated in this project will be incorporated into the Avovantage project to understand how soil variables, as well as leaf and fruit nutrient concentrations, influence fruit rot. • This article is courtesy of the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
Going nuts in Northland THAT OLD saying about peanuts and monkeys may be turned on its head in Northland, where a government-backed project has proven that the crop can be grown successfully in region. An initial feasibility study claimed that the industry could be worth millions to the region, with New Zealand companies importing tonnes of peanuts every year. Now, additional government funding aims to take the project towards the possible commercialisation of growing peanuts in the north. MPI is contributing nearly $700,000 to a new peanut growing trial via its Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures). Meanwhile, an additional $300,000 in cash and in-kind support is coming from Northland Inc, Picot Productions, Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and local Northland landowners. “The findings of a six month feasibility study supported through SFF Futures late last year were
encouraging,” says Steve Penno, MPI’s director of investment programmes. “This new project will build upon the initial findings to determine whether it’s financially viable to plant, harvest, and process peanuts at scale.” Northland Inc is taking the lead in the new project, which will run for 2 years. “The peanuts will be grown at seven sites in Northland, across both the Kaipara and Far North districts, during the twoyear life of the project,” says Vaughan Cooper, general manager Investment & Infrastructure at Northland Inc. “We hope for another successful outcome that will provide conclusive evidence that peanuts can be grown and harvested on a larger scale. This will give investors and Northland landowners, growers and farmers the confidence they need to diversify into peanut growing.” Cooper says while it’s clear that returns are possible from peanuts, they also need to factor in the
KIWIFRUIT’S NEW GOLD GOLD KIWIFRUIT continues to dominate fruit exports in an otherwise challenging market, according to recent Stats NZ figures. In the year ended November 2021, gold kiwifruit made up 47% ($1.9 billion) of total fruit export value, while green kiwifruit made up 23% ($923 million). Stats NZ says both increases were quantity driven, with prices falling compared with a year ago. Gold kiwifruit has a traditionally higher unit price than the green variety. Since the kiwifruit season in 2016, which is typically from March to November, gold has overtaken green in terms of value. In the 2020 season, gold kiwifruit also overtook green in terms of volume. “While green kiwifruit continues to be in high demand, growers in New Zealand are increasingly planting gold, and now red kiwifruit, to capture greater export value in markets like China and Japan,” international trade manager Alasdair Allen says. Total fruit exports remained relatively flat, up 1.3 % in the year ended November 2021 – compared with November 2020. Kiwifruit made up 71% ($2.8 billion) of the total value of fruit exports, while apples made up 21% $843 million). Apple exports fell 7.2% in value, with quantities down 11% this season, which traditionally ends in November. “It’s been a challenging season for apple growers, with some adverse weather events and continued labour shortages earlier in the year contributing to lower than usual output,” Allen said.
commercial equipment required for harvesting and drying. “We’ll be doing extensive economic modelling to determine whether the costs are worthwhile when producing peanuts at scale.” Penno says establishing a peanut industry in Northland would help diversify its regional
economy, create employment both on-and-off farm, and support investment opportunities. “It will also provide another crop rotation option for local landowners,” he says. “Plus, we could eventually bring a 100% New Zealand grown and manufactured peanut butter to market. That’s an exciting prospect.”
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MPI believes establishing a peanut industry in Northland would help diversify its regional economy and create employment.
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HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
How the pandemic has shaped future fruit production Pablo Gómez
GLOBAL FRUIT production has not only persevered in the face of a worldwide health crisis, it has also continued to adapt in response to the
evolving landscape. A fast-paced industry already familiar with navigating unpredictable conditions and forecasting market demand, the agricultural sector never slowed
down, even in the worst times of the pandemic. However, that’s not to say the journey was without any roadblocks: Covid-19 brought a wave of challenges with everything from
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The supply chain has faced a global shortage of containers projected to last into 2022, resulting in severe inflation in materials and transport costs.
labour to logistics.. Like countless other business sectors, fruitfocused agriculture struggled with staffing at the outset of the pandemic. But while many companies turned to remote work options, the nature of agricultural operations needs employees to remain primarily in the fields. The produce industry requires a significant amount of hand labour, particularly for table grapes and cherries. Managing thousands of employees who work simultaneous in-person shifts became an immediate area of focus. The main issue was the prevention of outbreaks in both the packhouse facilities and in the fields. Growers had to react quickly, forming small and segregated groups of workers adhering to organised schedules. In addition, the implementation of regular PCR tests enhanced other
standard safety protocols that helped protect workers. While the actions were a costly investment, growers kept operations safe and healthy while maintaining productivity. Nearly two years into the pandemic, though, staffing challenges persist. The economic downturn has increased costs across the entire fruit supply chain, from growing and harvesting to delivering the product to market. As the pandemic continued into and throughout 2021, it became apparent that one of its most pronounced effects on the global fruit industry was on logistical operations. The early days of lockdown restrictions and a slowdown in the production of goods created a ripple effect, sending refrigerated containers into a backlog of storage at cargo ports and inland depots. By mid-2021, wait times to procure a container stretched anywhere
from weeks to months depending on departure port and arrival destination. McKinsey & Company reported it now costs up to six times more to ship a container from China to Europe than it did at the start of 2019. Despite these challenges, the pandemic has shown how well prepared the agriculture industry is to adapt its systems in response to both adversity and increased demand. The trend of healthy living and a desire for nutritious food that emerged over the last two years is a worldwide movement with evident staying power. Fruit scientists, horticulturalists, and growers alike are looking to long-term solutions for meeting this need. For worldwide fruit-breeding company IFG, the answer could lie in a recent focus on breeding as much year-round fruit as pos-
sible as part of an overall quality and support strategy. In a sector where food and safety standards are already incredibly high, another key area that can influence growth and opportunity is leveraging technology to increase the simplicity and efficiency of production. The agritech tools that a reported 56% of U.S. farms have now adopted can help strengthen global fruit production with automation that eases the burden of labour shortages, conserves resources and mitigates crop losses. Looking into 2022 and beyond, industry leaders will keep one eye on innovation while maintaining a stable production to ensure the world remains healthy and fed. • Pablo Gómez joined IFG in 2018 and currently serves as the company’s International Quality Assurance Manager for Table Grapes.
HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
Yamaha invests in hort hi-tech Mark Daniel markd@ruralnews.co.nz
YAMAHA IS a made up of two separate companies – Yamaha Corporation, famed for musical and electronic products, and the Yamaha Motor Company, which started producing motorcycles in 1954. The larger corporation first became involved in robotics in 1981, generally with machines to automate production lines. After a hesitant start, this developed into large numbers during the mid ‘80s. Looking to use its expertise and experience in the agricultural sector, Yamaha Corporation
Yamaha Corporation has recently invested in Advanced Farm Technologies (AFT), a Californian company that is active in robotics.
has recently invested in Advanced Farm Technologies (AFT), a Californian company that is active in robotics. It has developed machines for harvesting soft fruit in the field, including an automated strawberry harvester that straddles the raised beds
where the crop is grown. Interestingly, AFT’s recent round of fundraising also saw Japanese company Kubota investing in the business. This investment – alongside other dedicated venture capitalist concerns – raised around
€25 million to further develop its soft fruit harvesting systems. Meanwhile, the Yamaha Motor Company is undertaking a joint development programme with a software company called ‘The Yield’. This company
primarily deals with data collection, then the management and presentation of information in a format designed to aid the running of vineyards. This new R&D project partners the companies with global premium
wine company, Treasury Wine Estates, to help optimise yield prediction in wine grapes and to improve autonomous crop spraying by using robots. Meanwhile, bringing automation to ATVs, including managing their
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deployment, would be a logical next step for YMC. YMC also developed a remote-controlled helicopter in the 1980s, at the request of the Japanese government, to make the spraying of rice crops safer and more efficient. Today, it boasts that one third of the rice for the Japanese domestic market is treated by its aerial platform. Closer to home, YMC has invested $10 million in Robotics Plus, a New Zealand company that produces post-harvest robotics for fruit packing, orchard robotics for harvesting and pollination, and autonomous agricultural vehicles.
ELECTRIC POWER FOR THE ORCHARD WHILE THE auto industry seems to be galloping into electrification, the agricultural sector seems to be a little more reserved in adopting plug in and play. However, the recent EIMA Show in Bologna saw Italian manufacturer Nobili give visitors to its site a taste of where things might be heading – displaying what is believed to be the world’s first 100% electrically-operated crop sprayer aimed at orchards and vineyards. It takes 700v DC electrical power from the CNHI-developed E-Source generator, which was shown mounted to a New Holland T4-110V tractor. Comprising a fairly standard chassis, the sprayer features a 1000 litre spray tank and a 5 litre clean water tank. It has an ISOBUS control taking care of two electric motors – one powering the spray pump, while the second is dedicated to a patented fan
Nobili has produced what is believed to be the world’s first 100% electrically-operated crop sprayer aimed at orchards and vineyards.
arrangement. The latter offers fan speed and flow adjustment controlled from the driver’s seat. The company also displayed its E-Mulcher, again electrically-powered, for dealing with vegetation in
orchards or vineyards. This machine has a novel feature, with its driveline maintaining a constant rotor speed, irrespective of changing crop of terrain. Removing the mechanical drive-
lines of both machines allows tighter headland turns, even in the narrowest vineyards, with the major advantage of reduced fuel consumption. Ongoing tests suggest that users can expect savings of 34% and 31% for
the E-Sprayer and E-Mulcher, respectively. For those looking to go down the electrical route, but with significantly lower capital costs, sprayer specialist Silvan has introduced a new electric wheelbarrow sprayer for vegetable gardens, nurseries and greenhouses. In the case of the latter, the system operates with virtually no noise and removes the problem of exhaust gases in the hot house. Offering 100 litres capacity, with a 5 litre freshwater tank, the unit produces a fine droplet/atomiser spray pattern. Meanwhile, its integral componentry includes a battery box, charging socket and an aquatec pump that delivers up to 5 litres per minute open flow. Other features include a powder coated frame, 13 inch diameter, pneumatic tyres, an adjustable sprayer gun, Eco hose reel and a 240-voltcharger unit. – Mark Daniel
MF 3700 TRACTOR RANGE 75 – 105 HP Designed for ultimate efficiency and low cost of ownership, the MF 3700 Series helps you to get the job done in orchards, vineyards and other specialty crops. With dependable electronic hydraulic control and up to 95L per minute hydraulic flow, these tractors combine great visibility with fuel-efficient engines. The MF 3700 Series is a compact performer like no other.
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Available in a wide range of widths, as CAB or ROPS and with a huge range of custom options to meet your needs. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER TODAY
A world of experience. Working with you.
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HORTNEWS
JANUARY 2022
Most attempts to alleviate soil compaction problem centre around the tractor – usually fitting larger section tyres or reducing pressure.
Getting the lowdown on soil compaction Mark Daniel markd@ruralnews.co.nz
WHILE FARMERS and growers are familiar with ground compaction and soil damage, most attempts to alleviate the problem centres around the tractor – usually fitting larger section tyres or reducing pressure. Over in the UK, Feltwell Growers, part of the G’s Group – the country’s largest family-owned fresh produce supplier— has undertaken demo trials to reduce the amount of soil damage
at its 5,000ha base in eastern England. Operating over large areas of wet Norfolk fenland, the business trialled UK-built Larrington trailers, shod with Michelin TrailXbib VF560-60 R22.5 tyres, but more importantly, fitted with an AgriBrink central tyre inflation system (CTIS). “We are effectively farming below sea level, so the ground can get wet very quickly. It makes it difficult for trailers to travel or manoeuvre – especially with typical loaded weights of up to 19 tonnes,” explains Scott Watson,
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who manages the company’s radish division. “When we started to look at the problem of alleviating soil damage, we assumed that the only way forward was to look at trailers fitted with track systems. Richard Larrington explained that fitting such units would see a big increase in trailer tare weights, not to mention a large increase in cost. With this in mind, he encouraged us to look at CTIS and the latest low-pressure tyre options.” To test the suitability of such a
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set up for the area, two 180hp tractors were coupled up to identical Larrington, tandem axle trailers. These were loaded with ten tonnes of stone, aiming to cross a wet area of a paddock. The first was fitted with standard tyres inflated to 4.0bar, while the second was fitted with the Michelin VF option, but only inflated to 1.0 bar. “While the standard tyre trailer became bogged very quickly and had to be rescued by an extra two tractors, the Michelin-equipped unit sailed through the wet patch with
minimal damage,” Watson says. The test resulted in two exact same spec trailers arriving shortly after, with a further two currently on order. “The CTIS allows us to operate at pressures up to 7.0 bar on firm dry ground or on the road, while we can drop down to 1.0 bar in soggy areas, easily achieved in around 90 seconds,” Watson adds. “We really have been blown away by the results, so much so, that other divisions with the group are now undertaking their own trials.”