Better kiwifruit through wet pollination

MARSHALL HEATERS®

Wet pollination is being touted as an e cient and e ective method for pollinating crops for kiwifruit growers across the upper North Island. is has also been con rmed by a Hayward trial showing wet arti cial pollination positively impacts yields, taste, size and shape of kiwifruit.

Bay of Plenty-based All Terrain Pollination’s Grant Luscombe says the method produces consistent and excellent results.

“ e Hayward trial was run alongside dry pollination application and demonstrated that wet pollination results in bigger and better shaped fruit and a larger number of rst-class trays with a positive impact on grower returns.

“In addition to fruit and crop attributes, wet pollination –contrast to dry pollination or bees - can be applied in most conditions and will work in instances where bees may not.”

All Terrain Pollination applies wet pollen directly onto the owers using a patented process which was designed and tested in New Zealand, mitigating

Farmers’ resilience

Despite a challenging 2021/2022 season, the annual New Zealand Dairy Statistics report released by DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation shows an innovative dairy sector responding well during a changeable time.

DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle acknowledges that farmers’ achievements in the face of a range of challenges in recent years is positive.

“ rough tough times farmers continue to prove their resilience and stay focused on milking better and more e cient cows, by making the most of technology and information.

“Dairy farmers are proud to be world leading and work hard to retain their unique pasture-based farm system, as they keep milk production owing and therefore creating real value for New Zealanders.” numerous environmental variables that can come into play during the crucial pollination period. Pollen supply is extremely tight this year, so it’s extremely important to maximise the value in its application. On orchard costs have increased signi cantly hence it is crucial to e ectively pollinate to in turn create opportunity for maximum pro ts. Wet pollination as a system can become a signi cant insurance policy in creating quality results year in and year out despite many environmental challenges.