C&C Oct 2011

Bay of Plenty and Waikato Farm, Orchard and Rural Lifestyle News PH (07) 578 0030

October 2011 Issue No. 134October 2011 Issue No. 134

Psyllid problem

Clean operatio

ns

Spring mai

ze

Te Puke orchardist Braden Hungerford has cut out 12ha of his Gold kiwfruit vines since fi nding

Psa-V last November. Photo by Sheryl Brown.

A depression is oozing out of kiwifruit

vines and spreading over the Bay of Plenty with confi rmation in recent

weeks that Psa-V has moved beyond the Te Puke priority zone to a kiwifruit orchard

in Katikati, Whakatane and as far north as Waihi.

Read more on pages 2-3.

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Coast & Country Page 2 COAST & COUNTRY

PRE-CAST CONCRETE & STEEL CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS

PRE-CAST CONCRETE & STEEL CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS

It is just shy of a year since Psa was fi rst detected on an orchard in Te Puke, sending

the kiwifruit industry into a tailspin.The spread of Psa had been contained to the Te Puke

region since then, but with the start of spring and with sap starting to fl ow, the number of Psa-V infected orchards has increased rapidly.

Rather than looking for spotting on leaves, the symp-toms are more obvious in spring, with a red sap oozing out of vines. With it, the reality is sinking in that this may be uncontainable and the full impact is still yet to be seen on the growers, the community, the regional and the national economy.

The disease has a stranglehold over the kiwifruit indus-try and people are saying it is the foot and mouth of the kiwifruit industry. There should be empathy throughout the rural community as well as the urban community who will all be affected by the ripple effect as money and jobs are stripped away.

With so much uncertainty about the future, industry leaders are limited in the advice they can give to growers.

The main advice is centred on trying to contain the disease and give as much information to growers as pos-sible so they can make some big decisions.

Big decisions to makeGrowers with Psa in their orchards have to decide

whether to put resources into regrafting another variety, try and carry on producing a crop, or do they cut back their vines, pull out the infected stumps and wait for more answers?

Do they rip out their canopies and start again, plant another crop completely such as avocados or tamaril-los? Do they join blocks with neighbours and build a cowshed on the once prime dairy land?

The banks are going to be pivotal to whatever decisions the growers make.

Not recession, its a Gold depression

At the moment, growers are reasonably comfortable fi nancially, with the income still coming in from this years crop.

However, once the cash fl ow ceases the pres-sure will come on.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorpo-rated chairman Mike Chapman says the mood is bleak.

As a groupwe are depressed, says Mike.Because we have such a vibrant industry

and I do believe well have a vibrant industry again, but at the moment its really tough.

Youre seeing your lifes work destroyed and what do you grow next? That is the question.

Mike says some of them are just going to grow grass.

Its pretty rugged.

Time for supportIt is a time for people in the community

to support the kiwifruit growers says fi nance consultant Don Fraser.

It is important for growers to get their heads around the fact and accept that it is not their fault.

Its actually not their fault that they failed; its an incursion thats taken them out.

People who are badly affected, theyve got to watch that they dont blame themselves.

Don says it is time for people in the com-munity to lend support to growers.

If you think they have a problem they have.If you think you need to ring them you do.Already driving around, all the gates are

locked shut and there are not a lot of people out in the district. Everybody is hunkered down.

For an owner its hard enough already on any day juggling your debt, your spray pro-gramme, staffi ng issues, family issues and the world economy which is pretty grumpy and then youve got this.

Don says there are some good people help-ing out and lending support and there are 24 road groups set up to form a support network around growers. Don says growers need to know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Once the hard decisions have been made then the dark cloud will lift.

Once you decide to move on and get rid of the load then you become a happy person again.

He says in the meantime growers need to be vigilant with their spending if they hope to negotiate with banks.

The key thing around this is to make sure they dont run up a lot of debts outside the bank.

If they identify that it is terminal, they should stop spending, so theyre not spending money they dont have.

Don says if growers have to sell, and many will, then banks may let them off the hook on special occasions.

They may be able to negotiate with banks to retain some capital maybe a modest amount of $100,000 or $200,000 and their personal belongings and their vehicles.

Banks do have provisions for debt write-off, but they didnt expect to see it in the kiwifruit industry.

But theyre faced with it.Don says it is key for growers to get help in

their negotiations with bankers because they will be emotionally involved and upset.

So they need somebody to help them out.That goes back to the discounting days of

the 80s when we went in and identifi ed the loss and the bank agreed with it and every-body got on with their lives.

Don says the effect of Psa on the whole com-munity and economy is going to be hugely signifi cant.

It (the kiwifruit industry) was a big eco-nomic driver wasnt it?

People have to have an income, a lot of people within the communities that go in and work in the packhouses over the picking season thats all going to stop.

So there is going to be a lot of cash taken out of the economy.

Then there is the macro affect; youll see falling school roles, youll see retailers in trouble in the towns, youll see doctors getting overloaded with people coming in with all their problems and that will be an issue.

There are a lot of social issues that are going to come up.

The man in charge of tackling Psa, Kiwifruit Vine Health Inc. chairman John Burke, is himself in the same boat Psa-V was confi rmed on his Gold orchard at Te Puke in September.

John says he is in the same position as

other growers of having to make some tough decisions. When asked if Psa meant the end of Gold Johns reply was it doesnt look good.

It seems a weak plant; grafting back Gold is not an option.

John says KVH and Zespri are reluctant to encourage growers to graft new varieties, even though some of the new varieties seem to be proving more resistant.

Industry advice uncertainThe industry is reluctant to go out with

wholesale recommendations to growers around try this new cultivator and it could fail.

So they would have spent a whole lot more money regrafting and growing it back and training it and it tips over on them. So thats more money down the gurgler.

So if they are not grafting and are having to cut out the infected Gold orchards what is left?

It might be better for some growers to actu-ally pull their vines out and wait, but of course with that, you have a bank loan, which you might have to pay interest on, so its a really tough fi nancial decision for them.

John says one of the things KVH is look-ing to do is give growers some considerations around their options.

So a grower with really heavy infection could make the decision quite easily to cut their vines off. And if they think the infection is right in the stem of the vine, which we have found when its gone right though the plant theyve had to pull them out by the roots.

If they think the infection is just in the canopy of the vine, well a lot of them will either go for cutting below the graft and looking to graft on something else onto that stump.

The human instinct is to say Ive got to keep going, but fi nancially it may be better to actually do a stop loss and wait and deal with how youre going to cash fl ow your way through it until you can fi nd a more resistant root stock and cultivator to put on your vine.

Were saying to the growers and were saying to the banks were talking about a timeline; weve set ourselves an objective to fi nd some serious solutions by 2013.

Were trying to get everyone planning two years out to say Ive got to get through this hole, but of course come 2013 youre not going to be back to full production again.

Not recession, its a Gold depressionNot recession, its a Gold depression

The key thing around this is to make sure they dont run up a lot of debts outside the

If they identify that it is terminal, they

Not recession, its a Gold depressionNot recession, its a Gold depression

The key thing around this is to make sure

If they identify that it is terminal, they

Not recession, its a Gold depression

Its actually not their fault... its an incursion thats taken them out.Theyve got to watch

that they dont blame themselves.

PH 07 578 0030 Page 3COAST & COUNTRY

From $19,800 +GSTFrom $19,800 +GST

Kiwifruit grower Braden Hungerford has cut almost half

his orchard out since fi rst fi nding Psa-V in November 2010.

His orchard is a ghostly remnant of its former state, with some canopies cut right back to stumps, others with vines draped in tape to mark where the red ooze is leaking out a spring symptom of the vine disease.

As we walk down the orchard, Braden spots new vines showing symptoms of Psa, which were not detected during monitoring just days before a sign of how quickly this disease is spreading.

One of the fi rst orchards to be con-fi rmed with the Psa-V bacteria disease, Braden has since cut 12 hectares of his canopy out.

Weve systematically cut the vines out since then.

It was 26 hectares, its 14 now. All the Gold is gone, weve only got Green left.

Numerous trials are being carried out on remaining parts of his infected orchard in a bid to fi nd a cure.

We dont have anything to put into vines to fi x it (at the moment), says Braden.

All of our sprays are protectant, they dont do anything once its in your vines.

Once its like this, you need to use a chainsaw.

Braden is working as operations manger for Kiwifruit Vine Health, taking key messages from the industry to growers including advice on when to cut out kiwifruit vines.

The worst day for growers, the hard-est time for them, is cutting it out, says Braden.

But if you cut it out early you can potentially save parts of your orchard.

The kiwifruit industry is seeing new symptoms of Psa as they monitor the infected orchards for the fi rst time lead-ing into spring.

Since the sap fl ow started, the pres-sure starts to push out through the

vines. Its the plant defence mecha-nism.

Braden says growers need to be moni-toring their orchards closely for signs of Psa and cutting it out as they fi nd it.

Especially in Green, we have got to cut it out if you want to keep producing fruit.

It seems to be a lot slower in the Green.

Bradon has grafted about 2.3 hectares of his orchard with one of Zespris new varieties.

Other than that, expenditure on the orchard has been kept at a minimum.

He says at the moment growers are still okay as they are still getting the income of this years crop.

At the moment growers are still get-ting paid. Most people are still doing pretty well.

But its when they have to cut out their vines and can no longer produce fruit is when the impact will really be seen.

Banks are in a tricky position. They will not want to see growers walking off orchards and leaving them properties they cant resell.

Thats why the banks are behind us at the moment, says Braden.

Because they dont want to manage orchards theyd rather have a grower on it.

So theyll be with us till 2013.But if the industry doesnt have some

solutions by then, the banks wont be able to continue to support growers with no cash fl ow coming in.

Braden says the three key messages he is telling growers at the moment are: hygiene border controls, using protect-ant sprays and monitoring orchards closely.

You have got to treat your orchard as if your neighbours orchard is infected even if you are not in the priority zone.

Assume every worker that comes on is coming from an infected orchard.

The state of the kiwifruit industry

Early Psa detection key

By Sheryl Brown

Have an opinion on this story? Email [email protected]

For more information on Psa and a list of grower support numbers visit

www.kvh.org.nz/grower_supportor www.nzkgi.co.nz

kiwifruit industry

The facts:1.2 billion export business12,000ha of kiwifruit2000 growers10,000 full time workers8600 seasonal workers10% of the Bay of Plenty GDPZespris 30 million trays potentially to be halved

next year1500ha potentially picked for the last time50% of the Gold orchards in Te Puke affected

Psa numbersAs of Monday, October 3 when C&C went to

print:395 orchards confi rmed with Psa312 orchards confi rmed with Psa-VAll orchards are in the Te Puke region bar one in

Waihi, one in Katikati, one in Whakatane and six in Tauranga region.

48% of NZ Kiwifruit hectares are now in a priority zone

13.7 NZ kiwifruit hectares on an orchard with Psa-V

Coast & Country Page 4 COAST & COUNTRY

JD

Wetlands an undervalued resource

By Sue Edmonds

Worldwide it has taken centuries for man to work out how useful

wetlands are, particularly in relation to fl ood control, water

storage, fi ltering of pollutants and sediments, which these days are

referred to as ecosystem services.

Saving and replacing wetlands, both in an attempt to preserve the biodiver-sity contained within them and also to undo the pollutant and sedimentation problems created by intensive land use practices, is now being undertaken by agencies and governments in many countries.

Part of the 15th International Con-ference of the IWA Diffuse Pollution Specialist Group, held this time in Rotorua, was a one-day symposium focused on wetland ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes.

Draining of bogs, marshes and peat lands has drastically reduced wetland areas everywhere. Shona Myers, an ecologist now working for Wildland Consultants, advised that in New Zea-land weve been particularly effi cient at it and for a country which was once generously supplied with wetlands, we now have only one per cent of the land mass 249,776ha still with wetland areas.

Most of these are smaller than 10ha and

only six per cent lowland land still con-tains swamp areas. What is left contains 20 per cent of our endangered species.

While we signed up to the Ramsar Convention in 1976 and wetland pres-ervation is seen as a matter of National Importance and Priority supported by legislation under the RMA (1991) a Biodiversity Strategy (2000) and a Freshwater Management National Policy Statement (2010), plus the Clean Streams Accord, actual progress has been much more patchy.

Many councils have different require-ments over permission and consent and at the end of the day, most of the land involved is in private ownership. So fi rst there is a need to persuade the landowner to take some suitable land out of produc-tion and then funding has to be found to fence and plant, not only the wetlands themselves, but also indigenous buffer zones.

Created wetlands are being tried, both here and overseas, however, research is still being carried out on the best places to put them. To date, work done by NIWA has found that those placed higher up in catchment areas are effi cient at catching and retaining phosphate runoffs, larger ones at the base of catchments are more effective at doing the same for nitrogen leaching, particularly as they are more likely to contain groundwater fl ows.

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PH 07 578 0030 Page 5COAST & COUNTRY

Sea urchins appear to be an ideal candidate for aquaculture.

Theyre so easy to breed that theyre used as demonstration models in aquacul-ture training courses; theyre omnivorous and therefore comparatively easy to feed and, most importantly, theres an established, lucrative and undersupplied market.

Sea urchin roe is a traditional food in parts of Europe and Asia particularly Japan and through the spreading popu-larity of sushi, its coming to the notice of gourmets in an increasing number of other countries, including the US and UK check the internet for sea urchin butter to get an idea of the versatility.

The Japanese particularly esteem sea urchin roe known as uni so much so, that they consume about 75 per cent of world production. Top quality uni retails at up to NZ$550/kg and quality live urchins sell for about NZ$10-15 each. The market and distribution system in Japan is, however, complex and multi-layered so the price to the producer would be less.

DemandThe Japanese have a large sea urchin

fi shery thats lucrative enough to attract the attention of the Russian mafi a, but they still have to import 80-85 per cent of their needs. This level of demand brings familiar problems much of the worlds sea urchin stocks are over-fi shed and in decline. In South East Asia, the problem was so severe that the most valuable sea urchins almost vanished from some areas before remedial action was taken, but thats another story.

New Zealand kina is also in decline, but its not commercial exploitation thats the problem here: Kina are much sought after kai moana and its recreational fi shing in accessible habitats, such as Mauao and Maketu, that has kept numbers down. In New Zealand, there is a small commercial

fi shery that services the domestic market, but their sporadic forays into the inter-national market have had mixed results primarily because of the fl avour of the roe. Put bluntly no one else likes it. The Japanese are said to eat with their eyes a trend that is increasing in the West. Therefore appearance; colour which should be a rich orange; texture; uniform-ity in size 40-50mm is best; and a high glycogen level are very important. For various reasons, New Zealand kina does not measure up to these criteria.

This is where aquaculture plays a part. Sea urchins are being farmed success-fully in many places in the world that have similar conditions to New Zealand places such as the Norwegian fi ords

are full of them. In Scotland they are being farmed alongside salmon; keeping algal growth down, chewing through left over fi sh food and providing a much needed economic boost to Highland and Island economies. There is, therefore, no reason why New Zealand should not have kina farms or at least fattening facili-ties where they are fed specifi c diets to improve their fl avour and texture.

CultivationDr Andrew Morgan from the Bay of

Plenty Polytech has been working with sea urchins for years and says that differ-ent species of New Zealand urchins have different potentials for cultivation. In his opinion, the common one Evichinus chloroticus has limited potential, but a second, less common, species that lives

in deeper water has great promise.

The market New Zealand produc-ers should aim for

is chilled nama uni; thats the grade used in

sushi. It is high grade and high priced, but needs to be

presented very well to be accepted. The rapidly increasing international popular-ity of sushi and the introduction of sushi dispensing machines is set to raise the demand for this product well beyond present supply capacity. It doesnt take a genius to realise that New Zealands waters extra nutrients and all put us

There is no reason why New Zealand should not have kina farms or at least fattening facilities to improve

flavour and texture.

The tropical species Tripneustus gratilla is

cultivated for reseeding in southern Japan, but its high value has led to population

crashes in some parts of South East Asia.

Kina farming key to meet market demandin a very good position, provided were willing to put in a little bit of effort.

If the quality is not always up to sushi standard, then theres always not-for-human consumption products that can be almost as lucrative as uni, but are not subject to any of the health or presentation restrictions that apply to the food market.

The main one is kina roe as aquarium food; its highly nutritious, highly valued and in high demand. At the lowest end of the scale, reject sea urchins and by-products can be sold as frozen burly burly bags were successfully, but unoffi cially, tested by NIWA a few years ago and sea urchin burly is internationally regarded as one of the best fi sh attractants.

Then, with kina, there is always the alluring prospect of using them in pharmaceuticals and beauty products both of which would be more valuable than the highest quality uni. The cultivation of kina is a challenge that, if met, will prove to be a lucrative business for New Zea-land, but cultivation and processing into whatever form the market demands will not just generate income, it will provide much needed employment in our small coastal communities.

By Graeme Dobson

Coast & Country Page 6 KIWIFRUIT

EastPack has announced it is reducing its packing

charges by 20 cents per tray for 2012 and intends paying its growers 20 cents per tray

rebate in June 2012.The move follows Zespris

reduced per tray returns forecast green kiwifruit growers are facing a

forecast 60 cents per tray reduction in payout for their 2011 crop.

EastPack chairman Ray Sharp says EastPack want to help growers who will suffer fi nancial stress as a result of the reduced fruit returns and the potential impact of Psa.

The 20 cents per tray reduc-tion in packing costs and 20 cents cash rebate is the best deal in the industry and has been made pos-

sible from effi ciency gains from our world class Growing Excellence LEAN manufacturing processes and technology and our commit-ment to quality.

EastPack, the second biggest kiwifruit post harvest operator and the largest supplier of gold kiwifruit, consistently delivers industry-leading orchard gate returns for its growers. EastPack

has had market share growth more than double that of the industry during the last 10 years.

As a grower-owned company, we are following our tradition of help-ing our growers during diffi cult times and passing back some of the gains made by the improved perform-ance, says Ray.

Growers are at the heart of everything we do.

To fi nd out more about EastPack, give us a call. Wed love to talk, show you around our packhouses, compare your current OGR and discuss increas-ing your orchards productivity.

Reduced packing costs to help growers

2020

EastPack is reducing packing charges by 20 cents a tray.

PH 07 578 0030 Page 7KIWIFRUIT

Now winter pruning is out of the way, pollination is the next big spend in the

kiwifruit calendar. Getting pollination right is crucial

to the all-important orchard gate return.

Bees should go into the orchards when at least 20 per cent of the female flowers are open and should be removed at no more than 90 per cent of the pollinated flowers.

With the use of artificial pollen still up in the air for this coming season due to the inability to have an effective pollen sanitisa-tion treatment against Psa, the challenge of achieving satisfactory pollination will be difficult.

The introduction of pollen to the orchard is a potential infec-tion pathway for Psa. So taking the alternative approach, it is time to think about the number of hives you require for successful pollination.

The industry advice is for eight hives per hectare, but growers may wish to increase it or decrease it depending on the circumstances.

Introducing varroaHistorically, before the use of artificial pollen the

number of hives was much higher and the introduc-tion of varroa has eliminated the feral bee population that added significantly to the pollination outcome.

Aongatete Coolstores Ltd recommend growers place 10 hives per hectare in some orchards to ensure there is the right number of foraging bees in the orchard.

Making sure the hives are placed in an area of the orchard that gets the sun early in the morning is very important in helping the beehive warm up, encour-aging the bees to come out of the hive and start foraging.

Growers should ensure that they put the beehives in an area where the beekeeper can easily place the hives and feed them without the issue of negotiating tight shelter rows or around tight headlands.

Growers should think about keeping the bees in the orchard. Kiwifruit flowers dont attract the bees the same way clover in your neighbours dairy paddock or flowering willows in the shelter. Once flowers are about five per cent open, growers should mow the sward the fewer other flowers to deter the bees from the job at hand the better.

Bee-friendly productsGrowers should think about using bee-friendly

products such as bee pheromone to keep the bees in the orchard. This season, Aongatete Coolstores is using Bee-Scent which is a pheromone-based liquid formulation that attracts foraging bees to the treated blossoms.

Bee-Scent encourages foraging behaviour because the synthetically produced pheromones imitate those produced by bees. As a result, foraging behaviour increases and the bees stay focused on working in the blossoms harder, which improves crop pollina-tion and results in additional fruit set and better fruit quality.

If any sprays need to be applied during the flower-ing period, apply later in the evening when the bees are not foraging.

There will be challenges with scheduling Psa protectant sprays and bees so growers should set out their Psa plan well in advance to avoid issues and discuss intentions with your beekeeper.

Dont forget to warn the beekeeper as they will not take kindly to a dosing of chemical when they are checking the hives.

Keeping bees around for pollination

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Coast & Country Page 8 POLLINATION

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Contact Fred 0274 993 94507 549 1456

Phil 0274 953 41007 549 4795

or visit www.pollinate.co.nz

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Servicing kiwifruit orchards North Island Wide

Green and Gold Artificial Pollination

Want to achieve maximum yield from your orchard?

All Terrain Pollination Ltd use a wet pollen application system developed for use in the New Zealand Kiwifruit industry to assist growers in achieving maximum results.

KVH has the mission of minimising the negative impact of Psa-V on the New Zealand

kiwifruit industry and enabling affected growers to re-establish their orchards.

In line with this mission, it is currently considering the potential risk of spread of Psa-V through the artificial pollina-tion programme.

A soon to be published article has concluded: There is currently no

evidence that artificial pollination leads to increased infection or that pollen has been responsible for the introduction of Psa in a previously Psa-free area. (Van-neste et al., 2011)2.

At the same time, KVH recognises the publicised link between spread of Psa-V and contaminated plant materials and remains focused on minimising the potential risk posed by the movement of pollen from vine to vine and orchard to orchard achieved by both natural (bee-transfer) and artificial pollination.

This document provides:

Guidelines by which all involved in artificial pollination of kiwifruit orchards can reduce the risk of Psa-V transfer through use of artificial pollination

A standard against which pollen facilities can be audited to assure that collection and handling of pollen is adequately managed to reduce the risk of Psa-V transfer through use of artificial pollination.

Growers should: Carefully consider all potential

risks in deciding whether or not to use artificial pollination in their orchard: there is no guaranteed treatment or process that elimi-nates risk of Psa-V contamination through any form of pollination

Only use pollen that has been

sourced according to the guidelines Enter details of batches of

pollen applied to their orchard into their Zespri Electronic Spray Diary.

Contractors applying pollen should:

Be familiar with the guidelines so that they can explain to growers how they are being protected from any potential risk of spread of Psa through use of artificial pollination and what risks remain

Follow the guidelines issued by KVH for orchard hygiene (http://www.kvh.org.nz/vdb/docu-ment/321) and contracting practice (http://www.kvh.org.nz/vdb/docu-ment/78).

Keep accurate records of dates on which each orchard is pol-

linated, the supplier of the pollen and the number, sizes and batch numbers of all packs of pollen applied and provide a copy of this record to each orchard owner/manager.

Equipment for applying pollen should be cleaned and sterilised with a KVH approved sanitising agent (see http://www.kvh.org.nz/vdb/document/63) between orchards.

Pollen standard and guidelines

Pollination is one of the most important

activities in the orchard calendar

and most kiwifruit orchards rely on the introduction of bees to ensure effective pollination takes

place.

The movement of pollination hives between orchards must be managed to minimise the risk of Psa spread associated with vehicle and equipment movement and potentially the move-ment of bees themselves.

Psa spreads through the air, on living or dead plant material, machinery and other equipment.

Regardless of whether orchards show symptoms of Psa, the movement of equipment within and between orchards must be considered a key controllable risk.

The potential for bees to act as a vector of Psa is unknown but is being investigated.

These protocols have been designed to mitigate the potential for con-tamination of orchards via the use of pollination hives.

Definitions PZ: Psa Priority Zone as defined by

KVH Hive dump site: Locality where bee

hives are placed temporarily

Movement of hives Hives used within a PZ should not

be used again in any orchard outside a PZ. Any hives leaving a PZ should be removed to an area that is at least 5km from a kiwifruit orchard.

Where possible temporary hive dump sites should not be located within a PZ.

Hives, pallets and vehicles need to be cleaned before leaving an orchard to

remove all physical debris. Refer to the KVH Orchard Hygiene information sheet available from www.kvh.org.nz for a complete list of protocols.

Multiple use of hives Hives placed within a PZ maybe used

again within a PZ only, with adherence to orchard hygiene protocols.

Hives placed in orchards outside a PZ maybe used again on other orchards, with adherence to orchard hygiene protocols.

Stand-down periods may be applied to hives moving between orchards but the efficacy of stand-down periods is not yet known but will be advised once research results are known.

Hive placement and removal Hives should be placed to avoid

any contact with vines and shelter and should allow easy access for sugar syrup feeding.

Feeding Feeding should be carried out using a

dedicated orchard vehicle if possible. Contractors employed to feed hives

must follow orchard hygiene protocols. Reducing the recommended fre-

quency of hive feeding is likely to reduce pollen collection and compromise pol-lination.

Auditing against the industry hive standard

It is recommended that hive auditing against the industry standard continue provided that orchard hygiene protocols are adhered to.

Orchard spraying Orchard swards must be kept mown to ensure

that flowers are not present when streptomycin and other sprays are applied.

Hayward orchardists should be aware that bees may be present in Hort16A orchards that are flowering. This is very important for ensuring that spray resi-dues are not found in honey.

Windbreaks surrounding orchards should not be sprayed while they are in flower.

Orchardists and spray contractors must adhere to best practice spray guidelines at all times. Refer to the Zespri Key StreptoTM User Guide and the Spray information section of the KVH website for more information on spraying (available from www.kvh.org.nz).

KVH streptomycin auditing will be undertaken in the PZs and HRAs. Refer to the KeyStrepto User Guide for more information.

Minimising the risk of spread

Read the guidelines in full at

www.kvh.org.nz

These protocols apply to the movement, feeding and removal of pollination hives in all regions. Updates will be available from www.kvh.org.nz

PH 07 578 0030 Page 9HORTICULTURE

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Polygro is easy to use - High EVA for longer life

.

Cosio Industries Ltd

P.O.Box 15014, New Lynn Auckland

email : [email protected]

Internet : http://www.cosio.co.nz

Use Polygro covers to increase profits

Polygro lasts longer than other films - Antifog additive to prevent condensation dripping on plants.

Wide rolls from 4m - 10m width - standard lengths of 50 metres or cut to length to suit your house.

ULTRA-PRO

Enhance growth and reduce heat stress in the nursery.

New knitted shade cloth in very light, light, medium and heavy shade.

Standard 2m x 50m or 4m x 50m green, black or white.

Cosio Industries Ltd, P.O.Box 15014, New Lynn Auckland

HEAVY DUTY KNITTED SHADE

27-33 Lansford Crescent, Avondale, Auckland.

Email : [email protected]

Website : http://www.cosio.co.nz

Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

ULTRASHADE

For the best value shading solutions, contact :

We also fabricate panels to any size or shape to suit your specific requirements.

The Professionals

Shade cloth

10 year UV Warranty

DURA-FILM

Superior strength and toughness - higher light transmission.

Guaranteed longer life - DURA-FILM Super 4 is Bee compatible.

Available in a wide range of sizes to suit all applications.


SUPER 4 GREENHOUSE PLASTIC




Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

For the best value GREENHOUSE FILM solutions, contact :

We also fabricate covers to any size or shape to suit your specific requirements.

The Professional

Greenhouse film

MICRONET

Micronet is a white15-20% shade fabric designed to create a controlled

micro climate for crops and plants. Micronet is air and water permeable

allowing natural watering and air movement which prevents drying out and

overheating of plants. Micronet prevents damage by birds, hail and rain.

Ideal in establishing new lawns. Available in 2m and 4m widths.


MICRONET CROP PROTECTION




Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

The Professional

Crop Cover netting

Call us also for best value on shadecloth, weedmat, windbreak,pond liners, greenhouse covers

FROSTGUARD


FROSTGUARD FROST PROTECTION




Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

For the best value GROWERS solutions, contact :

The Professionals

Choice

INDUSTRIES

WATER STORAGE





Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

For the best value GROWERS solutions, contact :

The Professionals Choice

INDUSTRIES

FIRESTONE EPDM is the recognised water storage

liner used by growers worldwide to provide long life

water storage ponds. Plan now for next summer, build

a pond to give your business real security and confidence.

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WATER STORAGE





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For the best value farm water storage solutions, contact :


INDUSTRIES

FIRESTONE EPDM is the recognised storage

liner used by farmers worldwide to provide long life

water or effluent storage ponds. Plan now for next summer,

build a pond to give your farm real security and confidence.

HORTICULTURAL FABRICS

Email :

Mobile : 021 907 208


[email protected]

Reid & Twiname Ltd

P.O.Box 22698, Christchurch

Ph 0508 333 111 Fax 0508 770 315

Ultra-Pro branded fabrics - The Professionals Choice

Call us to discuss your requirements.

South Island Agents for Cosio Industries Ltd.

Alishade Aluminium Thermal Shadecloth

Aqualiner PVC Pond Liner

Firestone EPDM Rubber Pond Liner

Geocil Non Woven Weedmat

Landtex Woven Geotextile

Meshes Plastic and Wire

Micronet Crop Protection Fabric

Polygro EVA Greenhouse Covers

Ultra-Pro Bird Netting

Ultra-Pro Canopy Netting

Ultra-Pro Hail Netting

Ultra-Pro Knitted Shadecloth

Ultra-Pro Windbreak Fabrics

Ultra-Pro Woven Weedmat

WATER STORAGE and FROST PROTECTION DAMS


INDUSTRIES

Is your farm water supply an ongoing problem?

Build a new pond or line an existing earth dam with the best and

longest lasting membrane available in NZ.

Future proof your farms water supply for many years to come.

With a proven life expectancy of over 50 years* FIRESTONE

EPDM is the ideal choice for harsh NZ conditions to help store and

conserve your water supply well into the future.

FIRESTONE EPDM has the longest standard material warranty

available in NZ. This is a 20 year FIRESTONE manufacturers

warranty - a global company and a name you can trust.

This lining is laid on site to any size or shaped dam.

Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : [email protected].

or call Vaughan on 021 280 7266 for more information.

ULTRA-PRO WHITE WINDBREAKS ECO & KIWI




27-33 Lansford Crescent, Avondale, Auckland

Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274


Contact our representative : Mike King on 0275-440-815 for your nearest stockist.

HORTICULTURAL FABRICS





Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274


Contact our representative : Mike King on 0275-440-815 for your nearest stockist or phone :

ULTRA-PRO Shade cloth fabric

ULTRA-PRO Windbreak fabric

ULTRA-PRO Hail netting

ULTRA-PRO Pea and bean mesh

ULTRA-PRO Woven weed mat

ULTRA-PRO Frost protection fabric

ALI-SHADE Aluminium thermal screen fabric

POLYGRO 200 EVA Greenhouse covers

DURAFILM Greenhouse covers

BIOBIRD Bird netting crop protection

MICRONET Crop protection fabric

GEOCIL Weed control fabric - non woven

FIRESTONE EPDM Rubber pond liner

AQUALINER PVC pond liner

BENEFITS Enhances cane growth Increases production

Larger fruit size Makes orchard warmer

increases dry matter prior to picking

Comes complete with eyelets or can be hemmed with drawcord for pulling

wire through. Custom made to your requirements.

COSIO

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ULTRA-PRO FABRICS



Cosio Industries Ltd, P.O.Box 15014, New Lynn, 0640, Auckland


Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

COSIO

COSIO

INDUSTRIES

PLANT AND CROP PROTECTION

FROST PROTECTION - FIRESTONE LINERS





Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

FIRESTONE EPDM pond liners.

For horticultural irrigation, water

storage, and pond liners.

20 year Firestone Warranty on

approved installations.

Contact us for nationwide

installers

COSIO

COSIO

INDUSTRIES


IRRIGATION AND WATER STORAGE

MICRONET is a white 15-20% shade fabric

designed to create a controlled microclimate for

crop and plants. Air and water permeable allows

natural watering and air movement.

Available in 2 metre and 4 metre widths.

FROSTGUARD non woven spunbonded low

cost polypropylene fabric available in 16gm2 and

30gm2. Also air and water permeable allowing

natural air and water movement.

2 metres wide. Other widths avail on request.

MICRONET

FROSTGUARD

EFFLUENT STORAGE PONDS

INDUSTRIES

Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : [email protected]. or call Vaughan

on 021 280 7266 for more information on Firestone EPDM and your nearest installation contractor.

Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors

Firestone EPDM Lined Pond advantages

Enable effluent to be stored and applied strategically during

drier periods or in Spring and Autumn when grass growth slows

Ease of daily management from troublesome effluent irrigators

Realize the value of your effluent and utilise its real potential

20 year Firestone Factory warranty - best in the business

Insist on your Firestone issued Warranty Certificate

EPDM linerEPDM liner

EPDM liner

Visit the FIRESTONE website for more information

http://www.firestone.com/pondgard.asp

* case study available from Cosio Industries on request

WATER STORAGE

FROST PROTECTION DAMS

Is your farm water supply an ongoing problem?

Build a new pond or line an existing earth dam with the best and

longest lasting membrane available in NZ.

Future proof your farms water supply for many years to come.

With a proven life expectancy of over 50 years* FIRESTONE

EPDM is the ideal choice for harsh NZ conditions to help store

and conserve your water supply well into the future.

FIRESTONE EPDM has the longest standard material warranty

available in NZ. This is a 20 year FIRESTONE manufacturers

warranty - a global company and a name you can trust.

Frost and irrigation dam for kiwi orchard 48m x 29m

The same dam filled and ready for use

Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272

email : [email protected]. or call Vaughan on 021 280 7266 for

more information on Firestone EPDM and your nearest

installation contractor.

This lining is laid on site

to any size or shaped

dam.

EPDM liner

EPDM liner

EPDM liner

EPDM liner

ULTRA-PRO

ULTRA-PRO

ULTRA-MAT





Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

For the best value in growers solutions, contact :


INDUSTRIES

Ultra-Mat provides 75% light reflection and is specifically made by a well known

and respected European manufacturer. Complete with full UV protection for NZ

conditions. Ultra-Mat prevents weeds and stimulates growth of plants that require

high light reflection for optimum yield.

White Reflective Ground Cover

another quality product from

Sizes available

1.1m 120gms/m2 ULTRAMAT White Woven,

3.3m , 4.15m 100gms/m2 ULTRAMAT White Woven

ULTRA-PRO WHITE WINDBREAKS

ECO & KIWI

ULTRA-MAT


Ultra-Mat provides 75% light reflection and is specifically made by a well known

and respected European manufacturer. Complete with full UV protection for NZ

conditions. Ultra-Mat prevents weeds and stimulates growth of plants that require

high light reflection for optimum yield.

White Reflective Ground Cover

Sizes available

1.1m 120gms/m2 ULTRAMAT White Woven,

3.3m , 4.15m 100gms/m2 ULTRAMAT White Woven

FROSTGUARDcrop protection fleece





Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

INDUSTRIES




Frostguard is a non woven white frost protection fabric used to protect crops

from frost damage, while providing a microclimate giving better growing

conditions and minimising evaporative water loss. Ideal for row crops such as

melons etc.

Frostguard is available in 16gm and 30 g / m2 weight.

2m x 100m and 2m x 1000m rolls etc

Enhances cane growth

Increases production

Larger fruit size

Makes orchard warmer

Increases dry matter prior to picking

Comes complete with

eyelets - can be hemmed

with a drawcord for

pulling wire through.

Custom made covers and

sizes can be made to suit

your own requirements.

ULTRA-PRO FABRICS - FIRESTONE LINERS





Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

ULTRA-PRO Shade cloth fabric

ULTRA-PRO Windbreak fabric

ULTRA-PRO Hail netting

ULTRA-PRO Pea and bean mesh

ULTRA-PRO Woven weed mat

ULTRA-PRO Frost protection fabric

ULTRA-PRO Canopy Netting

POLYGRO 200 EVA greenhouse covers

GEOCIL non woven weed control fabric

FIRESTONE EPDM pond

liners.

For horticultural irrigation,

water storage, effluent

storage liners.

20 year Firestone Warranty

on approved installations.

Contact us for nationwide

installers

COSIO

COSIO

INDUSTRIES


IRRIGATION AND WATER STORAGE

See us at the

NZ Agricultural Fieldays

Mystery Creek

Pavilion site PB30

ULTRA-PRO

ULTRA-PRO

windbreaks, shade cloths

and ground covers.

PROVEN QUALITY

PERFORMANCE

VALUE

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Windbreaks

ULTRA-PRO FABRICS





Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

COSIO

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INDUSTRIES


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Cosios

branded windbreaks.

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using our range

ULTRA-PRO FABRICS





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COSIO

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INDUSTRIES


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Cosios

branded windbreaks.

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If you are used to seeing

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using our range





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Cosios

branded windbreaks.

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Whats wrong with this picture ?

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EFFLUENT STORAGE PONDS

INDUSTRIES

Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : [email protected]. or call Vaughan

on 021 280 7266 for more information on Firestone EPDM and your nearest installation contractor.

Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors

Firestone EPDM Lined Pond advantages

Enable effluent to be stored and applied strategically during

drier periods or in Spring and Autumn when grass growth slows

Ease of daily management from troublesome effluent irrigators

Realize the value of your effluent and utilise its real potential

20 year Firestone Factory warranty - best in the business

Insist on your Firestone issued Warranty Certificate

EPDM linerEPDM liner





Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

For the best value shading solutions, contact :

ULTRA-PRO professional shade fabrics

We also fabricate panels to any size or shape to suit your specific requirements.

The Professionals

Choice

ULTRA-PRO

ULTRA-PRO

Professional

Crop Protection

ULTRA-PRO

Professional

WeedMat

POLYGRO

Professional

Greenhouse film

0800 109 093

COSIO

COSIO

INDUSTRIES

EFFLUENT

PONDS

For more information

Growers Twine

Cosio Industries Ltd, P.O.Box 15014, New Lynn,Auckland


Email [email protected]

Website www.cosio.co.nz

Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274


INDUSTRIES

440 Denier, 5 ply, 3 strand polypropylene twine

UV stabilised with 5 year life expectancy in normal growing conditions

2 kg spools (approx 1800m)

Re-useable twine for growing replacement canes on.

Often used in high wire training systems

Contact us for your nearest stockist

While the integration of dicalic phosphate into fertiliser programmes lessens the reliance on bagged nitrogen, pasture

nitrogen deficits still occurs. To maximise production, it is well-recognised that

strategic nitrogen application is needed particularly in early spring. During this time of year, many soils and therefore pastures experience sulphur deficien-cies.

In the past, sulphate of ammonia has been used to overcome these two deficiencies and there is no deny-ing this product does a very good job. However, it is generally expensive, results are short lived and its appli-cation is hard on a farms spreading equipment.

With these challenges in mind, Fertco set out to develop a brand new nitrogen and sulphur product that would deliver a powerful bang for your buck.

Fertco Ammo contains two types of nitrogen, ammo-nia and urea and two types of sulphur sulphate and elemental making Fertco Ammo the silver bullet for explosive early pasture growth.

By including Brimstone90 in the blend, Fertco

Ammo has gone to the next step. This reduces the spread rate and reduces the cost per hectare. In addi-tion, it gives a significantly longer release rate of the sulphur, meaning in just one or two applications, sulphur requirements for the entire spring are taken care of.

Getting explosive growth from pasture

This years avocado harvest is well underway with

the country expected to have one of the biggest

seasons on record. Despite a slightly late start to the

season in the Bay of Plenty due to cold weather, Avocado Exporters Council chairman John Carroll says the harvest is on schedule, with more than 5.5 million trays expected to be picked and packed this season.

Clearing fruitMore orchards are starting to

clear fruit. The cold snap did delay the fruit in reaching the maturi-ties, but it is on schedule now.

So far, 60 per cent of the fruit has been exported to Australia and the first ship-ments of avocados

have just arrived in Japan, Korea, Malaysia and the USA.

John says in the first month of harvesting, each week has been bigger than the last.

We are keeping ahead of it and managing. I think we are now at a pace that we can sustain until Christmas when the northern hemisphere finishes.

It is only early in the season and John says the only market looking slightly sticky is the Australian wholesale market, as there is still some local product available.

There is a bit more Austral-ian fruit hanging around in the Australian domestic market than we first thought, however, it is only early in the season.

Primor Produce, one of

New Zealands largest avocado exporters, is in the early stages of the harvest and is already hit-ting significant volumes in both its Whangarei and Bay of Plenty packhouses.

Primor export manager Ted Thomas says this is a huge season and although it is still in the early stages, he expects Primor to export approximately one million trays, the total export crop is expected to be between 3.7 and 3.8 million trays.

Top gearFrom now until mid to late Feb-

ruary we will be in top gear.Ted says the Australian market is

a tough one at the moment with prices in the wholesale market

sitting between $14 and $18 a tray.

There was a lot more Australian fruit than we first anticipated. We

thought they would be through their main

production season before we arrived, but that hasnt hap-

pened.

At the moment, there is more Austral-ian fruit in the Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne markets than expected.

In the next two to three weeks Ted expects the Australian market to pick up as the Australian domestic supply slows.

Domestic fruitWe are hoping the market will clear

itself up a bit. As some of the big pack-ers in the Australian market finish up we should see more of the domestic fruit clearing from the market.

At the moment, New Zealand doesnt

have much fruit in the wholesale Aus-tralian market, it is going into the big supermarkets, like Coles and Wool-worths.

In Japan New Zealands second largest export market Ted says the first avocados have arrived and so far prices have been steady.

Prices are satisfactory at this stage. We are competitive with the Mexican product in terms of pricing, but we have a better quality of fruit at this time of the year.

By Phillipa Yalden

Bumper avocado season underway

Coast & Country Page 10 HORTICULTURE

Apata workers do the fi nal selection of Class 1 and Class 2 fruit.

Kiwifruit and avocado post-harvest operator Apata

is blanketing its avocado packing process this season with the same strict hygiene practices it has been forced

to apply to kiwifruit.Since the outbreak of the Psa

infection in kiwifruit orchards in the Bay of Plenty, coolstores and packhouses have had to enforce stricter protocols and regulations to help minimise the risk of spreading the infection between orchards.

With a record crop of avoca-dos starting to be harvested and exported in the Bay of Plenty, some of which are coming off properties that have kiwifruit orchards too, it is logical to apply the same strict protocols.

The threat of Psa is very real to the likes of Apata and its large volume of employees, who rely on growers abundant crops of fruit each season.

Apata fruit marketing manager Jim Tarawa says new protocols may be a bit more of a hassle and more time consuming, but they are extremely important.

Preventing spreadWeve got to make sure we are

not spreading anything around during the harvest.

All of the plant material has to now be bagged and incinerated we have to wash down any trucks or gear that go onto orchards.

It is a bit of a hassle, but you bring it in and it becomes a part of everyday life.

Apata is estimating to pack more

than one million trays of avocados for export this season a record amount for the company.

Jim says they have been waiting

for a crop this size and are well prepared for it.

It helps that they are used to dealing with large volumes of fruit packing eight million trays of kiwifruit this year.

Apata packs one third of the national avocado crop, their headquarters are at Katikati in the Bay of Plenty and they also have another packhouse in Whangarei.

They can pack between 10,000 and 12,000 trays a day and have all fruit packed within 48 hours of it being picked.

On any given day they can be pack-ing for Australia, America, Japan and Singapore.

1st class AustraliaAustralia is the biggest export market

with 60-70 per cent of the trays expected to land across the Tasman. The other 30 per cent is shared between the US and the developing markets in Japan, Singapore and Southeast Asia.

Each market has its own set of criteria and requirements.

Coles the Australian supermarket has strict criteria around quality, only taking the best Class 1 fruit.

They take three sizes of avocados.The United States are taking Class 2

fruit for the fi rst time this season, which is used for food service.

A bigger proportion is being sent to Japan and Southeast Asia this year, says Jim.

Its a good market (opportunity) it just needs some time and effort put into it.

Its close too its just on our door-step, unlike Europe.

The Japan market has a preference for smaller fruit they take size 30s and they do take size 24 too.

They prefer the smaller fruit, if were sending it to Australia, we wouldnt be getting as good a price. So its a good mix.

The new protocols around Psa are not too much of a stretch for the clean and regimented operation at Apata.

The cleaning processes and the technology involved at Apata makes impressive viewing.

It helps that Apata harvest all the avocados they export, so can have good control right from the orchard.

The trucks and gear are all washed between each orchard and upon arrival at the packhouse.

The avocados are then unloaded and put through a water blaster to remove any residue, pests or other material.

Its a $500,000 piece of equipment and removes about 90 per cent of the residue off the fruit says Jim.

It makes a huge difference. Not many countries have them.

The water blaster distributes cold water at a pressure of about 1000 psi which is then sanitised and recycled.

It is an invaluable machine as export markets are extremely strict on pest restriction.

Particularly Australia they send over inspectors on three-week stints as part of the pest cleaning programme. If they fi nd a pest thats it.

They select a pallet randomly as a sample and are looking for any foreign material.

The fruit is then run through the pre-sorter which includes an Invision blemish sorter, which takes a photo-graph of each avocado and sorts it into Class 1 or 2 according to the blemishes it sees.

Its an effi cient, well oiled machine.Information on the orchards crop

has already been processed into the machines.

Suitable marketWhen we go out to access crops

on orchards, we rate their crop so we know what class it is likely to be, what size and so we know what market it is suitable for.

So when the fruit comes in, all the information is there; we know what orchard it came from, what spray pro-gramme they use; what market they are bound for.

The technology has come a long way, says Jim.

A lot of it has been driven off the back of kiwifruit, its been a real advan-tage for avocados, having that ability.

Complying with new protocols and regulations is just part of working to meet the market.

We are an expanding business, you are an expanding grower if thats what the world wants, then youve got to comply otherwise you wont get access its that simple.

Clean operation at packhouse

By Sheryl Brown

On Farm Demos Available!

NEW STORE! 1 Gallagher Drive, Hamilton Ph 07 957 9150 15 Glasgow Street, Tauranga Ph 07 578 2263

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WE OFFER COllECTION AND DElIvERy ON ANy BRAND SERvICE

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Its now been eight years since AgTek, the national distributors of Goldoni

Tractors, fi rst launched the Italian specialist horticultural tractor with Dave MacKereth

and his team at Capital Tractors on Barkes Corner

in Tauranga.

Dave says its been exciting times. With the majority of kiwifruit orchards using pergolas, the

demand had changed from con-verted agricultural tractors which were diffi cult to get low enough and still maintain ground clear-ance to a need for a powerful tractor with a very low seat height, reasonable under body clearance, decent lift and towing capacity and big enough wheel equipment for stability, traction and comfort.

The Goldoni Quasar, kiwifruits king of comfort, has just been so well received here, says Dave.

Its just such an awesome machine, with its super low seat

height and purpose-built design for kiwifruit.

This tractor is also available with a specialist cab designed for the likes of avocados, where a narrow cab is needed to avoid fruit damage and no one else has such a cab to offer.

Weve been in tractors along time and were in a very strong horticulture region with kiwifruit and avocado, so having a range of purpose-built horticultural tractors was a necessity.

Goldoni has such a range of model options to cover all needs.

Specialist horticultural tractor dealers

Processed apples bring in jobsOnce a by-product, process-grade apples are becom-

ing liquid gold for hard hit New Zealand growers creating new jobs and investment in the industry.

Enzafoods is commissioning its new $4 million processing line at its Hastings site to produce premium added-value fruit products adding another 14 jobs to its team.

By pureeing and dicing apples, Enzafoods has created huge demand for premium value-added fruit products under the Freshfi elds brand that is delivering profi table returns to growers.

NZ dollar impacting on returnsThe relatively high value of the New Zealand dollar

against key trading currencies is having a signifi cant negative impact on the export-focused kiwifruit, pipfruit and wine industries says MAF senior policy analyst Annette Carey.

Exporters are unable to raise prices high enough to compensate because of competing supplies overseas and options for consumers to substitute products.

Despite most markets performing well this year, the high New Zealand dollar will erode export returns

resulting in poor fi nancial outcomes again for many growers in 2011.

As a result pipfruit growers are deferring expendi-ture where they can and assessing alternative business models, says Annette.

She says the outlook for the medium term is encour-aging, with potential for market expansion in Asia, particularly China and India and the possibility of sell-ing apples in Australia for the fi rst time in decades.

Chinese apple protocol establishedChinese and New Zealand quarantine authorities

have fi nalised an agreement that clarifi es the condi-tions of access for New Zealand apples into China and provides greater certainty for traders.

The agreement, protocol of phytosanitary require-ments for the export of apples from New Zealand to China, was signed in Wellington in September.

New Zealand has supplied high-quality apples for the Chinese spring-summer, off-season period for many years. In 2008, China sought assurances about quarantine pests, including fi re blight and in 2009 the two countries quarantine authorities began negotiating the protocol.

After eight years with the product, the proof is in the results Goldoni was very quickly accepted by the growers. Agtek director Gayne Carroll says that while Goldoni has grown its reputation throughout the country in the other horticultural regions, it has been the strong Goldoni focus and the extra mile that Dave and his team go to for every

one of their customers in back up and support that has seen Capital Trac-tor again take out top spot as Goldoni Dealer of the Year for 2010.

To celebrate this award, call into Capi-tal Tractors and catch a celebration deal on one of their new Goldoni tractors before its too late.

JD

Supplied by AgTek

6199 www.agtek.co.nz

Horticultural Tractors

The Gold Standard

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Whatever your needs Goldonis range of specialist horticultural tractors has you covered. Goldonis range of specialist horticultural tractors has you covered. Dont be short changed, call into your local Goldoni dealer today, Dont be short changed, call into your local Goldoni dealer today, and see how easy it can be to own your own gold mine.and see how easy it can be to own your own gold mine.

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CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HORTICULTURAL EXPERT

TaurangaCapital TractorsBarkes CornerPh: 07 543 0021

WhakataneJacks MachineryS.H. 30Ph: 07 308 7299

GisborneAP Machinery65 Main Rd, MakarakaPh: 06 868 7701

For dealers in other areas visit www.agtek.co.nzor contact AgTek Ltd on 07544 2911 or Rick on 021 0202 0202

HORTS SHORTS

Coast & Country Page 12 HORTICULTURE

Monty Spencer is involved with two industries, which are currently affl icted by

disease; he is managing the constant threat of psyllid to potatoes while spraying his

Katikati kiwifruit orchard prolifi cally in the hope of protecting it against Psa.

Monty is the research and innova-tion manger for AS Wilcox & Sons Ltd, based in Pukekohe oversee-ing the growing of the companys potatoes, carrots and onions.

He and his wife are also the private owners of two small Gold kiwifruit orchards in Katikati and Ardmore.

Psyllid is considered the greatest threat to the New Zealand potato industry, while Psa is pulling a depressing cloud over the kiwifruit industry.

It is a depressing situation there is no doubt about that.

The problem is that the control measures that are currently avail-able are probably, at best, about 10 per cent effective in trying to halt the spread of Psa. So its not good news.

On the other hand, in the battle against psyllid, Monty says he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

With psyllid, we have control methods and they work fairly well. From that point of view its not so bad.

At least were basically being able to have some control over it compared with the Psa in the kiwifruit.

That control, however, comes from a carefully designed spray programme, which has driven the cost of a healthy yield skywards.

Monty says they fi rst got psyllid in

their potatoes three years ago and fought back with a tight insecticide programme.

At the same time Potatoes NZ, the potato growers national organisation, mobilised a very intensive multifaceted research and development programme, which has produced some very successful outcomes during that time, which we have been able to incorporate into our approach in fi ghting the psyllid, says Monty.

When we fi rst got it, and we

were doing 20-odd sprays, we could be spending $1200/ha for a season.

Before it came in we would have been pushing to spend $100 or $200/ha on insecticides.

The 20-plus sprays were not sus-tainable, however, says Monty.

Last season we came back from the very intensive weekly spray programme, to one that had appli-cations with wider intervals.

To enable us to have confi -dence in this approach each of our paddocks was scouted weekly for psyllid incidence in the foliage and applications were made on a more as required basis.

Now we could be spending probably $500 to $700/ha.

Monty says the costs have only fl owed on a bit to

consumers, but because it is so competitive the returns havent gone up commiserate with the costs.

AS Wilcox & Sons grow potatoes in three main areas; Pukekohe, Matamata and Ohakune, while also growing some north of Kaitaia and also in Rakaia.

It grows potatoes for fresh mar-kets and for processing crisping and French fries.

What happens with the psyllid is you get lower yield, the drymatter gets lower (they get more watery), this is a particular problem in the processing industry as they require high dry matter (fl oury) pota-toes and the third thing that can happen is you get ZC a zebra chip.

The crisp upon frying looks like its got a zebra pattern.

This damage is a considerable problem in causing down-grading in the processing industry in particular.

Psyllid carries a bacteria-like organism Liberibacter (this is actually the organism causing the ZC) the psyllid injects the liberibacter into the plant, it gets transported throughout the plant and down into the tubers.

The leaves turn red/yellow and roll up and the plant dies.

But this is for all the solanaceae family (the nightshades), says Monty.

Tomatoes, capsicum, tree tomatoes, all of these get attacked by psyllids. So theyre all having to deal with the psyllid.

The tree tomato guys are getting trees knocked out.

In the glass house, control can be achieved more easily, because youve got more of a controlled environment than you get outside.

The home

gardener has an increasing hard

job growing potatoes, unless he sprays a lot. Because its

dynamite.

Fighting psyllid

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Monty says the potato industry is monitoring psyllids using sticky traps, but they are not often highly correlated of whats actually in the crop itself, so its a real rough indication to ascertain numbers more accurately.

So we do counts of psyllid in the crops, from that we can ascertain our spray interval. So if, for instance, its a period where they are building up rap-idly, then we can put on a spray ahead of when we would normally.

There can be three to four generations of psyllid during the summer and how quickly those build up is very dependent on weather conditions. Rainfall has a big effect if you get a big dumping of rain it knocks the psyllid numbers back quite a lot, says Monty.

But in general, there is some evidence that comparatively few psyllids can do a lot of damage to yield and dry matter.

In general, the spray programme is about one spray every two-three weeks, says Monty.

Last year we would probably have

averaged 10 or 12 sprays and achieved good control; we use a range of sprays because if you use one spray all the time resistance can develop.

The insecticides now found to be the most effective are a lot safer to humans and the environment and dont knock out the predators to psyllid, but come at a considerably higher cost because they have only recently been developed.

Previously, when we applied 20-odd sprays a season, we achieved very good psyllid control, but it was not sustain-able.

Thats when we decided we needed to be a bit smarter. We also had a lot more knowledge because of all the research that the Potatoes NZ had been under-taking plus our own.

We now had chemicals registered for psyllid control when psyllids fi rst arrived in New Zealand there were no materials registered for psyllid control we now also have some idea about the merits of each material and therefore target its application strategically.

When I look back over the last three

years and the progress that has been made, principally by the industry R&D programme and its associated extension programme, but also by growers being able to integrate the results from this programme into their own situation on farm progress has been rapid.

Monty says there are potentially plenty more solutions in the pipeline, with ongoing research into breeding resistant/tolerant varieties, researching even softer materials than currently available, the introduction of more specifi c predators and many other initiatives. It has also tended to make the potato industry more cohesive.

I hope we can get the same sort of outcomes out of the programme that Zespri, KVH and the kiwifruit growers have got in train at the moment to try and control Psa.

Although the psyllid problem looked monumental for the potato industry when psyllids where fi rst detected in New Zealand, it tends to pale when compared with the Psa challenge in the kiwifruit industry.

Bacteria and fungi need a carbon source when

breaking down fertilisers. So if you add fertiliser without

one, you deplete the soil and if the soil is not suffi ciently rich the fungi and bacteria will simply not be able to do their job properly.

New Zealand Humates has a product that contains up to 67 per cent carbon. Humates is full of benefi cial fungi and bacteria. Its other two key ingredients are Fulvic and Humic.

Fulvic provides the chela-tion it surrounds an atom of fertiliser and it takes it with it into the cell walls of

the plant. Fulvic also stimulates fungi and bacteria as does Humic. Humic doesnt chelate fertiliser, but holds it until plants want to access it. It can also release existing fertiliser or minerals in the ground over time, saving many dollars.

All soil has a CEC rating cation exchange capacity indi-cating its ability to hold fertiliser. There is a direct correlation with the amount of carbon in the soil.

Peat has a high CEC, sand a low one. Average soils have a CEC around 20-25 per cent. HuMates has a CEC of more than 165, therefore will increase the CEC rating of any soil.

Other products that NZH have include Nitrogen Express. Nitro-gen Express is an easy and effective way to increase the nitrogen levels in pasture or crops at a time when this is required the most. Nitrogen Express can be applied through centre pivots or fertigation as well as the usual application methods.

It wont leach through the soil contaminating

waterways etc and is envi-ronmentally

friendly. Apply at 20-30 litres per hectare.

Increasing carbon in soils

By Sheryl Brown

More solutions in the pipeline

Have an opinion on this story, email [email protected]

Coast & Country Page 14 ORGANICS

A recent meeting of organic farmers and supporters was held at the farm of Janette

and Carla Perrett near Ngahinapouri.

Numbers attending these meet-ings seem to rise at each gathering and this time there were 34 present to hear Alan Thatcher of Massey University talk about coping with mastitis in organic dairy herds.

When you cant just reach for antibiotics, you need to do what you can to prevent mastitis from racing through your herd.

Alans main message was based on prevention is better than trying to cure. He explained that the skin of cow teats had no oil glands and thus was prone to drying out, leaving it susceptible to damage and a handy home for bacteria. The latter could

then quickly travel up the milk duct and set up house in a nice warm, moist environment.

Both Streptococcus uberis and Staphyloccus aureus, which cause mastitis, are normally resident in many cows guts and are passed out in faeces. One place which collects more than its fair share of faeces is the last 100 metres of the race lead-ing to the cowshed. With every cow walking through it twice a day, a lot gets transferred into the shed.

So keeping that 100 metres as clean as possible is needed. Getting and keeping a good surface on a race, which has the right camber a slope of 1 in 12 each side so rain will wash it clean and keeping heavy machinery off that length so it doesnt get damaged is a prior-ity. In pasture, the bugs dont live longer than two weeks, so with a longer rotation pastures are clean

by the next round. Staph aureus is mostly found on cow skin and can be transmitted from cow to cow when they touch. Susceptibility to mastitis is strongly related to stress, which can be produced by inad-equate feed, behavioural activities like bullying note not bulling and climatic stressors such as long rainy periods. Heifers in particularly can be subjected to herd bullying when introduced to an adult herd. Research at Massey has found that keeping them in a separate mob and initially using once-a-day milking had improved reproductive perform-ance and growth.

For coping with Strep uberis, teat spray is considered very important. Even when cups had been rinsed between cows, the bacteria had been proven to be able to be carried across to the next nine cows. Not all of these would develop mastitis, but

A good crowd discussing preventing mastitis in organic herds.

Containing mastitis organically

By Sue Edmonds

the threat was there because any flaw or nick in the liners would retain bacteria. Alan recommended changing liners after every 2500 milkings or twice a year.

Irregular pulsation could cause backjet-ting of milk, allowing bugs to squirt back and infect teats. Dunking into disinfect-ant in a bucket had limited use because the disinfectant loses potency each time. Glycerine or grease on teats worked well, but was time consuming. Inspecting teats could show up machine inefficiency, particularly on younger cows. Constant vigilance was necessary, identifying and keeping infected cows separate and milked last.

A long dried off period can help, along with post milking stripping using a clean glove each time. The bugs cant spread from quarter to quarter internally, so drying off just one teat can work.

There are still farms with low selenium levels and this can compromise cow immune systems. Levels should be about the 500 mark and keeping it at this level could increase production. When drying off, Massey used once-a-day for three days and then stopped, but provided lots of hay in feed. Alan warned that cows should not be near or in effluent pad-docks at this time.

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PH 07 578 0030 Page 15ORGANICS

The bodys fi rst line of defence against infection

is the skin, mucous membranes and digestive

tract lining.

Bacteria can usually not penetrate the skin unless there is a break or wound in it. Three factors make it possible for bacteria, as tiny as they are, to kill a beast. The fi rst is their prodigious rate of multiplication, in which they can increase in numbers to countless billions within a few hours, which places a tremendous burden on the tissue. The second is their ability to destroy the tissues of the body, thus interfering with the bodys functions. And the third most deadly attack, the formation of toxins.

Pathogen exposureAs with any disease, the animal

must fi rst be exposed to a pathogen to acquire the necessary acquired immunity. Because we know certain diseases do not return twice in a life-time, we expose ourselves to various forms of the disease so that the body will produce the necessary antibod-ies. This line of defence is known as acquired immunity and is the last line of defence against infection. Back in the 18th century, people exposed themselves to smallpox early in life in order to have it at their convenience and get it over with. It was later discovered that people who contracted cowpox, a similar patho-gen, became immune to smallpox.

The person who has gained

immunity to smallpox, however, is no more immune to measles than any other disease. This shows us that the immune reaction is

specifi c. The action of acquired immunity is dependent on the pro-duction of specifi c proteins, called antibodies. In the presence of some foreign protein, termed an antigen, the body reacts specifi cally with its antigen destroying or neutralising it. As this response is produced by the bodys exposure to the pathogen in the fi rst instance through the production of specifi c proteins, it stands to reason then that the animal must fi rst be provided with the tools necessary for the production of the specifi c proteins including the required activator ions. Such protein formations are very specifi c; they require the assistance of protein catalysts or enzymes and each enzyme has only one function.

The formation of these enzymes is also very specifi c. The tempera-ture must be right; the pH of the substrate must be right, the specifi c activator ions must present and the presence of nitrates; nitrites and Non Protein Nitrogen will slow down or inhibit the formation of the specifi c enzyme.

Stress or lack of it will enhance or retard the animals defences. If for some reason we create an environment that is foreign to an environment that would be termed normal we also increase the need for the animal to adjust to the new set of conditions. Such adjustments may require increases in energy, protein, minerals or vitamins. In the main we are dealing with ruminating mammals, this means

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C&C Oct 2011