An event of the scale and earliness of the 1 October Hawkes Bay hail event has not been witnessed before, therefore we have no real idea of what the impact on fruit quality will be come harvest time. However, we do need to be making decisions now on how to manage trees and fruit.
Growers need to stay in close contact with their marketers and retailers in regards to how much TAG 2 fruit can be sold. Any adjustment to traditional grade standards will be decided by market forces. That said, the following comments were made at the pre-season meeting of grower, marketer and retail representatives last week, in response to queries after the hail event:
- Assess the level of hail damage as soon as possible. Work from information on your blocks. At this stage we do not know where the season will end up.
- Thinning decisions will need to be made soon.
- If the fruit has no home to go to, then don’t send it. Discussions with marketers and retailers need to be done now and on a case by case basis.
- ‘It has to be edible and saleable’.
- Packers have a responsibility to not pack fruit that doesn’t have a home.
- TAG 2 fruit needs to have the same eating quality as TAG 1 fruit.
- Summerfruit is eaten skin on, therefore it has to look attractive before it will be purchased.
Remember you are always welcome to call NZ market's Richard Mills on 021 632 559, if you want any support for on orchard activities or for mental health and well being.
Posted
01/11/2019
Comments on the Hawkes Bay hail event and fruit to market
An event of the scale and earliness of the 1 October Hawkes Bay hail event has not been witnessed before, therefore we have no real idea of what the impact on fruit quality will be come harvest time. However, we do need to be making decisions now on how to manage trees and fruit.
Growers need to stay in close contact with their marketers and retailers in regards to how much TAG 2 fruit can be sold. Any adjustment to traditional grade standards will be decided by market forces. That said, the following comments were made at the pre-season meeting of grower, marketer and retail representatives last week, in response to queries after the hail event:
Remember you are always welcome to call NZ market's Richard Mills on 021 632 559, if you want any support for on orchard activities or for mental health and well being.
Posted 01/11/2019