25 JUNE 2010 - NZKGI's latest issue of Industry News for June along with a copy of the NZKGI Forum Briefing on New Varieties was posted to all growers on 23 June. Did you receive your copy?

If you would like a copy please click on the link below to download a copy or contact NZKGI's Office for a copy to be sent out to you. Additional copies of the DVD are also available from NZKGI's Office upon request.

2 JULY 2010 - NZKGI's Forum is being held on Thursday 8 July commencing at 9 am in ZESPRI's Hayward Wright Room, 400 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui. iAll growers welcome.

We’ll be discussing:

• Water
• Hail Insurance for 2010
• New Varieties – including the Royalty and what next year’s allocation method is
• Hydrogen Cyanamide spraying
• Market updates
• HortNZ issues
• Reporting on NZKGI’s Activities

A copy of NZKGI's Forum Agenda is available for download below. If you would like to attend please let NZKGI's Office know for catering purposes.

25 JUNE 2010 - Do you want to be more informed about global trends affecting your industry, ZESPRI's growth strategy and the future of the kiwifruit supply chain? Then be inspired at the Momentum Kiwifruit Industry Conference where you'll hear from recognised global food specialists and kiwifruit industry experts.

Register by 30 June 2010 to take advantage of the early bird rate.

For further information visit ZESPRI's Website or contact the ZESPRI Grower Contact Centre by phoning 0800 155 355. Conference numbers are limited, so don’t delay.

11 MAY 2010 - Hives Fall Victim to Plagues that Could Sting us all

On Friday 7 May 2010 an article appeared on the NZ Herald Website with a photo of Dr Mark Goodwin, a scientist from HortResearch talking about Bees and how they face a widening range of threats to their existence.

A full copy of the article is available by clicking on the link below to download.

9 APRIL 2010 - The NZPA report probably summarises it best – click on the file below to download a copy.

General information:

• The level of infection of the vine and soil bacterial disease, Pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae, in Italian Hort16A and Hayward orchards has emerged again this year despite improved grower practices.
• The disease, which has been identified in kiwifruit for the past 25 years and has never been identified in NZ, appears to attack kiwifruit vines in certain environmental conditions, and it looks as though the cold and wet winter, followed by a cool wet spring has exacerbated the problem in Italy.
• Last year the disease resulted in a 10 percent loss in production of ZESPRI’s Italian Hort16A.
• ZESPRI advise that it’s a little too early to say how widespread the issue is this year but it is clear that the spread is more extensive for both Hayward and Gold varieties this year.
  

2 JULY 2010 - Russell Baker has written in referring to comments made in previous editions of NZKGI’s Email update. His comments are available in for download in the document below.

We do not share Russell’s views. Our view is:

• PVRs and our industry structure are two different mechanisms.
• A PVR gives the owner control over the variety he or she owns.
• Our industry structure controls the entry and distribution of fruit in overseas markets (except for Aussie).
• There are a number of GOLD PVRs in the world including ZESPRI’s Hort 16A and the two new varieties that ZESPRI is commercialising at present. There are other GOLDS owned by other companies.
• If all these GOLDS were sold in a market without the discipline of our current industry structure, all the GOLDS would compete against each other, and price and grower return would reduce.
• The Kiwifruit Regulations do NOT prevent anyone planting and marketing their PVR protected kiwifruit variety. For export outside of Australia conditions need to be met – just as export requirements, such as phytosanitary, need to be meet.
• NZ is not in breach of its international obligations.
• Collaborative marketing allows anyone to export any kiwifruit outside of Australia provided the two conditions for collaborative marketing are met. These conditions protect growers’ return.
  

12 MARCH 2010 - The 2010 kiwifruit season looks likely to enjoy similar success to 2009, with today’s harvest echoing last year’s early start to the season. Early indications on the volume, quality and taste of the fruit also suggest that 2010 will be another good year for the New Zealand kiwifruit industry.

Some growers began harvesting ZESPRI® GOLD Kiwifruit today, while ZESPRI® GREEN Kiwifruit and ZESPRI® GREEN ORGANIC Kiwifruit growers will begin harvesting their fruit in a few weeks time.

A fully copy of the ZESPRI Media Release is available for download below.

During the 2008 Harvest, NZKGI filmed and developed Best Practice for Harvesting DVD that will provide growers and post-harvest operators with a training tool to help train new growers, supervisors, contractors and pickers in the principles of best practice for harvesting.

The development of the DVD has highlighted the need to also provide some written fact sheets to provide extra information to growers and supervisors that could not be portrayed clearly in the DVD format. These fact sheets were sent to all growers along with a free copy of the DVD in late February 2009.

• Fact Sheet: Contracting Harvesting Services
• Fact Sheet: Managing Orchard Hazards During Picking
• Fact Sheet: Minimising Physical Damage During Harvest – GOLD
• Fact Sheet: Minimising Physical Damage During Harvest – GREEN
• Fact Sheet: Supervising the Harvest

Extra copies of the DVD and associated fact sheets are available from NZKGI's Office. Contact Christine McMillan for further information on 574 7139 or 0800 232 505.

19 AUGUST 2009 - Growers and spray applicators are reminded of their responsibilities when it comes to safe spray practice. A copy of the spray wise wallchart is available for download by clicking on the link below.

ZESPRI have a Spray Information section on their Website The Canopy where you can access a variety of information to help you manage your spray programme better.

Notify Your Neighbours

• It is the responsibility of the orchard owner to notify neighbours of spraying operations – even if a contractor does the spraying.

Read the Label

• Avoid the use of super-wetters from the start of flowering onwards to reduce residue risk.

Calibrate Your Sprayer

• Use correct nozzle type and direction. Change nozzles and fan speed, not tractor speed, for different row spacing. Use the minimal fan speed required. Use low drift technology to reduce budbreak spray drift from budbreak sprays.

Spray Under Ideal Conditions

• Use weather forecast services to plan applications. Do not spray in perfectly still or windy conditions (wind speed < 14km/hr).

Signage

• Always use appropriate and prominently displayed signage.

Use Shelter Belts

• Plant evergreen shelter on boundaries, especially road frontages.

Ensure Bee Safety

• Use bee safe products.

Use the NZKGI Hotline

• Report incorrect spray practices, which put the whole industry at risk.
Phone 0800 232 505 or Environment Bay of Plenty on 0800 738 393.

SEPTEMBER 2009 - Powerco have supplied us with a couple of brochures to promote safety around overhead powerlines while working on orchards. Powerco advise that every year there is at least one fatality resulting from accidental contact with overhead powerlines while working on orchards. Overhead lines can become just another feature of the landscape but disregarding them can be deadly.

Copies of these brochures are available for download below.