As the horticultural sector goes through strong growth and is well on track to become a $10 billion industry by 2020, and with the pipfruit industry doubling in value to $1 billion by 2020 there is more and more discussion around labour, or more to the point – lack of it.
Nutrient management plans are required for farms in the dairying sector, mainly because of their greater use of nitrogen fertilisers and the influence of large animals that contribute to nitrogen leaching. While there is not the same requirement for an orchard operation to have a nutrient management plan, there are potential benefits in going through the process.
The National Horticultural Field Day at the Hawkes Bay Showgrounds was a roaring success with many local businesses and innovators on display, lively competitions and business talks to attend. Many local high schools participated in the Education Hub which involved a range of fun and learning activities organised by PipfruitNZ and designed to fuel interest in Horticulture as a career option.
Gross margin benchmarking was completed, in collaboration with the Ministry for Primary Industries and New Zealand Wine, for Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa , Marlborough and Central Otago. The gross margin calculates the revenue minus direct expenses for growing, harvesting and marketing the crop.
Check out our May 2017 newsletter for the Lincoln Diploma
Kiwifruit winter pruning is the start of the seasonal growing cycle and sets your crop potential for the next harvest.
It has been 10 years since the Recognised Seasonal Employees (RSE) scheme was introduced and workers have been coming to the Bay of Plenty to prune, pick and pack kiwifruit over that time. While it is easy to see the benefits the industry receives from being able to use RSE workers, it is also timely to celebrate the significant contribution they make the the well being of our wider communities
We are all aware of the huge growth occurring in the horticultural sector nationally. Alongside that growth is a huge demand for unskilled and skilled workers to take on the varied roles in the sector. With this in mind, this article focuses on a group of individuals who have chosen to forsake their Tuesday evenings to attend Lincoln University Diploma in Horticulture tutorials provided by Fruition Horticulture in Tauranga and Nelson.
“Hawke’s Bay apples are in hot demand across the globe, the industry is innovative, forward thinking and going places – so can young Kiwis”. Pipfruit New Zealand is encouraging more young people to consider a career in the industry says Capability development manager Erin Simpson.
The 2016 harvest produced a record yield for the Marlborough model at an average of 15.1 tonnes per hectare. Sauvignon Blanc yielded an average of 16.5 tonnes per hectare, a 41 percent increase compared with 2015. Pinot Noir produced its highest yield to date at 8.6 tonnes per hectare, up 62 percent compared with 2015.
Gross margin benchmarking was completed, in collaboration with the Ministry for Primary Industries and New Zealand Wine, for Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Marlborough. The gross margin calculates the revenue minus direct expenses for growing, harvesting and marketing the crop.
What apple variety mix should we grow to be successful in a changing world? This article discusses some of the strategic factors involved in choosing what we produce and offer to our customers.