Research
Summerfruit NZ consistently captures grants to underpin our key research.
- Since 2014 $1.1 million in grants secured for summerfruit research programmes.
- Funding has been received from the Sustainable Farming Fund, AgMardt, Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust, Heinz Wattie's, Summerfruit Exporters Committee.
- 18 projects underway and/or completed since 2014.
- Four projects with a duration of five years or more.
We currently have the following research projects underway:
- Evaluation of new varieties from the joint breeding programme.
- Future orchard planting systems.
- Three year pathogen resistance focusing on bacteria, brown rot and botrytis, and including benchmarking.
- Pollination review – apricots and cherries.
- Development of resistance management guidelines.
- Development of nursery tree handling protocols and guidelines for growers.
Other research includes:
- PGP application for Sensational Summerfruit programme total value $16 million over seven years.
Research extension and tech transfer:
- SummerGreen meetings in Hawkes Bay and Central Otago.
- R&D days and on-going tech transfer.
- International presenters.
- Research & development presentations at annual conference.
We continue to build strong partnerships with the Sustainable Farming Fund, Plant &Food Research, and Heinz Wattie's.
Crop protection
- Annual production of the PHIs and MRLs for both export and NZ markets.
- Annual PHI wall charts for export apricots and cherries.
- Registration of new agrichemicals.
- Summerfruit NZ is a partner organisation in the Future Crop Protection PGP coordinated by HortNZ.
NZ market
- Brown rot action plan developed.
- Fungicide resistance testing regime established.
- Weekly seasonal update delivered electronically.
- Upgraded grower and packhouse communications.
- Consumer behavioural research (Nielsen); 2016 & 2017.
- AgMardt harvest tools project (Three years completed).
- Wrist bands developed and implemented for pickers.
- Cool chain research.
- Maturity guides updated.
- Growing degree days online.
Apricot programme
Apricot Co
- Interim Board appointed 2018.
- Observer on New Varieties Evaluation panel.
- Initial financial modelling.
- Constitution drafted.
New varieties
- The first three varieties released from the Summerfruit NZ/Plant & Food Research breeding programme.
- Nzsummer2.
- Nzsummer3.
- Nzsummer4.
- First budwood ordering and supply season.
- Tasting and field walk of Nzsummer series apricots in Hawkes Bay.
- Submission on Plant Variety Rights.
Export
New markets
- Opening new markets, eg application for our apricots to China.
Maintaining access
Fighting to maintain or regain access for a market where the import or phytosanitary conditions have changed, affecting our ability to export there. For example:
- EU & Switzerland compliance programme removed.
- The ongoing battle to retain OPI.
Improving existing markets
- Reduction of the frequency of audits by the Japan inspector.
- Change of the phytosanitary inspection requirement by Korea from 2% to the standard 600 inspection.
- OPI remote diagnostics for pest identifications for pre-clearance in Central Otago.
In addition, the commercialisation of ethyl formate (Vapormate) as a postharvest disinfestation technique for apricots to Australia. Four packhouses used the system in 2018-19 season.
Biosecurity
Governance
- Industry consultation and mandate gained to become a partner under GIA.
- GIA Deed signed 2017.
- Fruit Fly Council member since 2017.
- Governance Group member since 2017.
- Biosecurity levy consultation and industry referendum completed 2018.
- Part of BMSB council application to EPA for release of Samurai Wasp.
- Biosecurity levy to be confirmed August 2019.
- Summerfruit industry biosecurity strategy completed 2019.
- Expenditure on biosecurity grew from $1,754.58 in 2014 to $30,692 in 2017.
Operational agreements
- Fruit Fly Operational Agreement signed 2017.
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Operational Agreement signed 2018.
- Xylella Fastidiosa – in development.
- Drosophila Suzukii – in development.
Readiness activities
- Pest and disease most wanted poster – printed and online.
- Pest and disease fact sheets – 13 online.
- Orchard biosecurity manual – in development.
- Biosecurity micro credential – partner in development with Primary ITO and other horticulture associations.
Response activities
- Fruit fly response governance meetings.
- Two staff members provided for in-field response activities (one week each) – March 2019 incursion.
Updated Import Health Standard for Prunus.
Communications
- Summerfruit NZ annual conference.
- International speakers with attendance of 252 in 2019.
- A year on year increase in industry participation.
- Strong sponsorship and industry support.
- SummerGreen interactive manual online.
- Revamped website www.summerfruitnz.co.nz.
- New secure grower portal:
- online export registration
- online levy payment
- growing degree days
- purchases.
- Metservice weather tools.
- Summerfruit magazine; distribution 500 per issue three times per year.
- Prunings distribution 540 each week throughout the season and as required during the rest of the year.
Other activities
- Moved into an independent and larger office space.
- Increased roles by three (from previous of one full time and three part time):
- Business support (new, part time)
- Biosecurity & export manager (new, full time)
- Business manager (new, full time).
Future issues
- Carbon zero and climate change.
- Labour:
- seasonal and permanent
- lobbying
- education and training.
- Access to water.
- Right to farm.
- Large external investment in cherry orchards.