Why knowledge transfer matters
One of the consistent messages I hear from growers is that research only delivers value when it leads to real change on orchard. Strong science is essential, but it is only part of the equation. How information is shared, understood, and applied matters just as much, particularly in an environment where time, labour, and margins are all under pressure.
Summerfruit NZ continues to invest a large portion of levy income in research and development (R&D) across disease management, fruit quality, productivity, and growing systems. That work is a core part of supporting grower returns over the long term. Over recent months, however, the Board and management team have been reflecting on whether the way we communicate research outcomes is keeping pace with the needs of the industry - and how we can improve.
Rethinking how we share research
This year, a key focus has been refining our approach to technical extension and knowledge transfer. I’ve been working closely with Sean Gresham in his role as Summerfruit NZ’s Technical Manager, alongside the Board, to rethink how growers connect with the research they are funding. A consistent theme has been the need to move away from a one‑size‑fits‑all approach and towards something more flexible, accessible and targeted.
Historically, much of our research communication has been anchored around two Summergreen meetings each year. While these meetings have played an important role, feedback has been clear that they don’t suit everyone. As a result, this season, Summerfruit NZ will be moving toward a more bespoke approach that allows growers to engage with technical content in a way that works for them.
A more flexible extension model
Over the winter period, Summerfruit NZ will be delivering a series of targeted webinars, each hosted by the researchers behind our R&D projects. These sessions will focus on presenting key findings, outlining the practical implications for orchard decision‑making, and allowing time for questions and discussion. The intention is to give growers the ability to attend only the sessions relevant to them, and to explore topics in as much depth as they choose. Details of the planned webinar programme will be published and promoted over the coming weeks.
Recognising that not everyone can attend live sessions – or wants all the technical detail, we will also be developing a set of concise video summaries. These will focus on the what, how, and why of our research projects, providing clear, digestible insights without requiring growers to work through full technical reports. These resources will be supported by written technical updates that will continue to be published on our member portal.
The role of in‑person events
In‑person grower events remain an important part of how Summerfruit NZ operates, but their role is evolving. Rather than being primarily about deep research presentations, our physical events will increasingly focus on practical extension, discussion and engagement, with timing that better reflects orchard workloads. More detail on this approach will be shared at upcoming post‑season technical sessions in Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago.
Learning from others
Knowledge transfer is also not limited to what happens within New Zealand. As an industry, we need to be realistic about the scale of our R&D budgets relative to larger producing countries. We don’t need to do everything on our own, and in many areas, it makes sense to learn from work already underway elsewhere. With that in mind, Summerfruit NZ is deliberately strengthening connections with international peers, particularly in Australia, to identify relevant insights and avoid unnecessary duplication.
Over the coming months, Summerfruit NZ will be engaging with a number of Australian industry forums and conferences, creating opportunities to share learnings, build relationships, and bring back ideas that may be applicable to New Zealand conditions.
The Board is also supportive of an Australian grower tour planned for August this year, with the aim of taking a delegation of New Zealand summerfruit growers across to see firsthand what their Australian counterparts are doing. This will provide a practical opportunity for peer‑to‑peer learning and discussion. Growers interested in participating are encouraged to submit an expression of interest – see separate article in this newsletter for more details.
Looking ahead
Ultimately, our goal is straightforward: to ensure growers have access to the right information, in the right format, at the right time, so they can make confident decisions on orchard. Strengthening how we transfer knowledge is a key part of supporting innovation across the sector, and it is an area that we will continue to refine, based on feedback from members.
As always, thank you for your continued engagement and support of Summerfruit New Zealand.