Join our Winter “Lunch & Learn” Webinar Series!
Each week, we’ll share practical insights from the latest Summerfruit NZ research and trials – designed to support on-orchard decision making and season readiness.
Tune in every Thursday at 12.30pm.
Webinar Schedule
2 July | Save time and money using the Summerfruit NZ Weather and Disease Portal
Mike Barley (Hort Plus)
Demonstration of the Weather and Disease tools available for free to Summerfruit NZ members. This includes disease models for Botrytis, Leaf Rust, and Brown Rot, weather forecasts and records, and Chill Units Calculator.
Join the webinar here
9 July | How to use ET for irrigation decision-making across different canopy types
Andrew Curtis (Primary Insight)
This 2025-26 study collected field data from six distinct cherry canopy types to calculate crop coefficients for each throughout the season. Andrew will highlight the key differences identified, and demonstrate how these can be applied to inform daily irrigation decision-making.
16 July | Improved rootstocks for stonefruit: USA research trip report
Jill Stanley (BSI)
Trip report from Eastern USA Peach production areas and research facilities. Jill will highlight findings from the trip, including how novel Prunus Rootstocks are influencing fruit production.
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23 July | Can plant growth regulators improve sweet cherry quality?
Claire Schofield (BSI)
Summary of two years of Australian sweet cherry trials investigating the effects of ABA and NAA on fruit quality. Responses in fruit size, firmness, soluble solids concentration, calcium content, colour and cracking will be discussed, along with implications for grower adoption and future research directions.
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30 July | Artificial pollination in cherries - collecting viable pollen and trialling application in-field
Melissa Broussard (BSI)
This past season Melissa led trials collecting pollen in cherry, refining practice from the previous year. She will present best practices from collecting pollen, as well as initial results in applying that pollen on-orchard.
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6 August | Biofungicides: Peach Brown Rot
Phil Elmer and Peter Wood (BSI)
Results from lab and field experiments on biofungicide efficacy for peach brown rot. Discussion on how to integrate biofungicides for improved resistance management.
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13 August | A-Lighter-Touch (ALT) – Future-proofing crop protection: Building and protecting the grower toolbox
Bruno Gatimel (ALT)
The ALT programme is generating independent performance data on innovative crop protection solutions, including biopesticides and new-generation synthetic products, across a range of minor crops. These trials help identify effective new tools that can address priority pest and disease challenges across multiple sectors while supporting sustainable production systems. ALT has also developed resources and launched an awareness campaign on resistance management.
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20 August | UVC for disease control on cherries
Virginia Maroni (BSI)
Results from field testing of UVC system powered by autonomous electric vehicle for control of fungal and bacterial diseases on cherries.
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27 August | Controlling wood-invading pathogens
Virginia Maroni (BSI) and Hue Nguyen (Lincoln University)
Best Practice to reduce cankers and tree mortality. An update on progress to date from lab, greenhouse, and field research including Hue Nguyen’s master’s project on fungal pathogen epidemiology.
Completed Webinars
25 June | A rising tide lifts all boats - a review of summerfruit maturity at retail
Mark Loeffen (Delytics)
Results from nectarine, cherry and apricot pilot monitoring during the 2025/26 season. Discussion, including NZ/Australia repeat purchase context.