Growing Success February 2021

February 2021 Edition Issue No. 5

GROWING SUCCESS Welcome to the February edition of Growing Success. As usual, this publication presents the latest relevant technical information on practices and products for New Zealand horticulturists.

Articles include an overview of the newly formed Farmlands Growth and Innovation team that has formed to identify the trends and industry innovation required to help our shareholders grow their future success.

In our last edition of Growing Success, we featured the Farmlands GrowGuide app, the latest one-stop app for information on horticulture, pasture and cropping requirements. Incorporating the only app-based crop programmes for New Zealand apples, wine grapes, and kiwifruit, we have received extremely enthusiastic feedback about this unique

FAR_09936

and innovative tool.

Crop programmes are driven off the user’s selection of growth stage and the pest or disease concerned. It also includes drill through to all product information, labels and safety data sheets — all the required information at your fingertips. Watch out for updates on further horticulture crop programmes to come.

We whole-heartedly congratulate New Zealand growers on their tenacity through the last year of massive uncertainty and challenge. It is a testament to the horticulture industry that despite the many challenges, the industry continues to grow and thrive through a constant focus on meeting international consumer’s needs.

For the many of you who are approaching your critical harvest period, Farmlands wishes you the very best possible finish to your growing season.

If you have not yet downloaded

Mark Daniels

GrowGuide, it is available free of charge.

Head of Horticulture

ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED IS NOW AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

KIWIFRUIT

K-Bomber 56 KIWI Biolchim, a leading supplier of nutrition and bio stimulants to the kiwifruit industry has designed K-Bomber 56 KIWI specifically for the kiwifruit industry.

development of fruit sugar and acid

hectare, making it easy for growers to

brix. The product is also involved in

handle and use. The recommended

transpiration mechanisms and regulating

water rate is 1,000L/hectare. Application

stomatal opening and closing.

of K-Bomber 56 KIWI should

The inclusion of adjuvants and the

commence from fruit enlargement

Kiwifruit nutrition is an important

complexing agent EDTA, K-Bomber

through close to fruit harvest (note

aspect of orchard management for

56 KIWI is highly soluble and readily

7-day pre harvest interval), with a total

maintenance and fruit quality. Research

penetrates to be absorbed by the

of 2-4 applications recommended.

over the years indicates that good vine

leaves. When applied in the appropriate

K-Bomber 56 KIWI is approved for use

nutrition can have major benefits in fruit

phenological stages, K-Bomber 56 KIWI

on the Zepsri Allowed Other Compound

quality and yield.

slows excessive vegetative growth. It

(AOC) List.

Through technical knowledge and extensive research of kiwifruit nutrient uptake demands, Biolchim have been able to select the best fertiliser sources to create K-Bomber 56 KIWI.

also helps the plant to improve water

Kiwifruit leaf analysis is recommended

Coupled with over 20 years’ experience in the global kiwifruit industry Biolchim has perfected the nutrient contents, rates and timing of applications required to achieve optimal results.

the translocation of nitrates and the

K-Bomber 56 KIWI is a formulation very high in potassium and aids the

a handy 2.5kg bag which is the

2 | FARMLANDS - GROWING SUCCESS

use efficiency.

for the assessment of potassium,

Potassium also acts in a range of

particularly when tracking crop loads. An

transportation and accumulation

ideal window for growers to undertake

processes within the plant, including

sampling is 70 days post bud break.

activation of some key enzymes. It should be noted that K-Bomber 56 KIWI contains no chloride.

K-Bomber 56 KIWI is supplied in recommended application rate per

Talk to your local Farmlands Technical Advisor about a tailored nutrition program for your valuable kiwifruit crop.

Article supplied by Biolchim.

KIWIFRUIT

Armoured Scale – insect pest in kiwifruit

With a tendency to populate in sheltered areas, scale can be difficult to control. Growers now have fewer chemical options available and narrower spray windows to operate within. It is therefore essential that growers are aware of scale to ensure populations are kept at low levels.

Scale are only mobile once hatched.

Referred to as crawlers, the juvenile scale finds a suitable spot to “limpet” onto a plant surface and build a wax protective covering. On reaching the third instar, scale start laying eggs, and the cycle repeats.

Scale life cycle Scale crawler abundance

Armoured scale is an ongoing pest issue in New Zealand kiwifruit, and populations can slowly build unbeknown to the grower.

Export market access can be challenging as many markets, particularly Asian countries, have a zero tolerance for scale.

1st generation

2nd generation

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Months of the year Figure 1: Scale Control in Spring and Summer

pre-flower applications of Movento (spirotetramat). Unable to be used after flowering it is often the only cover spray used. Growers should consider if this provides control right into the second generation and be aware of post flowering spraying windows available to

With two distinct generations per season, crawler release starts in late October and peaks in December (figure 1). Targeting chemical covers during generation 1 will impact crawler numbers emerging in generation 2.

break multiple scale life cycles.

Pre-flower cover spray options are straight forward, however the post flowering period creates challenges.

Growers need to determine if spraying is required, the product options, timing, and possible risks.

smothering action. Other studies have

Growers of conventional Hayward and Gold cultivars rely heavily on

Biogro certified.

The post flowering period provides some specific windows for both conventional and organic growers.

Excel Oil, applied at 1% up to 14 days post fruit set, works through a shown that oils can also discourage crawler settlement. Oils should be applied before fruit become too sensitive to marking. NB: organic growers must ensure products are As fruit develops, second generation control for gold kiwifruit growers is limited due to a high risk of fruit marking. Nevertheless, Plant and Food Research have identified a window to safely use a 1% Excel Oil application in the second and third week of February.

The trials showed that during this period Sungold skin is less sensitive to fruitlet marking, and that no significant increase in fruitlet drop occurred.

| Armoured scale can be difficult to control.

Hayward growers can safely apply 1% Excel Oil, while being aware of the

14-day PHI, drying conditions, and humidity on the day of application.

Packhouse pest monitoring centres are a great source of data and can potentially identify scale hotspots.

Monitoring also identifies populations leading up to harvest, allowing assessment of spraying programmes, if a second or third generation is present and post-harvest control options — these range from Movento through to winter oil applications.

Plant and Food Research showed that Movento applied post-harvest had a detrimental effect to the next season’s scale population. Adding a penetrant such as Kwickin improved the plant uptake. Alternatively using Hywet will improve spread and uptake. Good leaf condition is essential for efficacy.

The earlier harvest of gold and earlier picked Hayward crops may provide the opportunity for a post-harvest cover spray. Possible spray residue issues should be considered in blocks or maturity areas yet to be harvested.

For further information please contact your Farmlands Technical Advisor.

Article supplied by Dwayne Farrington, Technical Leader - Kiwifruit & Subtropical Crops, Farmlands Co-operative Source: McKenna. C, Dobson. S, Rogers. P, Herrick.J, McKenzie.C, Tuck. H; Pest Day Presentation Oct 2020.

FARMLANDS - GROWING SUCCESS | 3

KIWIFRUIT

Passionvine Hopper

S O N

J J A

Sooty mould is largely a cosmetic problem but a major cost burden to the kiwifruit industry. A 2019 Kiwifruit Journal article by Wilson & Tozer stated that sooty mould affected approximately 2.49% of the national crop, equating to $44 million that season.

D J F

M A M

As summer approaches increased levels of Passionvine Hopper (Scolypopa australis) build in kiwifruit orchards. The incidence of sooty mould on fruit also increases at this time. Commonly known as PVH, this phloem feeding insect secretes a sugary substance called honey dew, which sooty mould then grows on.

Figure 1. PVH life cycle.

PVH is a single generation insect.

Nymphs appear from early November and adults from late December. Both nymphs and adults feed on plant phloem, leading to vine stunting and damage when large populations are present.

Being full of sugars, phloem contains the principle food source for PVH.

Honeydew is an issue, being the

as Pylon (conventional) and Pyganic

food media that supports sooty

(organic). The addition of Wetcit

mould fungi growth. There is a strong

or Oroboost (organic) surfactants

correlation between the population

will increase the persistency of

of PVH nymphs and adults and the

pyrethrum. These should be added

incidence of sooty mould on fruit.

at 200ml per 100L of water.

PVH egg laying starts from February,

The bio-fungicide product TripleX

Sugars and unutilised water are excreted under pressure by the PVH to form honeydew.

peaks in March and can continue

provides another option for honey

well into May. Each female can lay

dew control, with both antagonistic

hundreds of eggs, usually in rows

and competitive properties towards

predominantly in dead or dying plant

sooty mould. TripleX is also a

stems. Egg rafts can be visible on

preventative and should be used

the stems of the kiwifruit stalks.

in combination with pyrethrum as

The key to controlling PVH and

part of a management plan.

subsequently sooty mould is to control

To maximise the benefit of TripleX,

the nymphs early thus minimising

regular monitoring is recommended

the honeydew expression. Growers

for assessment of PVH infiltration and

should focus on removing host plants

requirement for further preventative

around the orchard in the winter.

insecticide applications. Once PVH is

However, the odd host plant can be

observed, fortnightly applications of

of some benefit as an early season

TripleX are recommended until insect

indicator of pest populations.

pressure reduces. Hywet should be

Buffer zones outside the orchard

added to improve the performance of

boundary should be created through spraying. Some contractors have invested in spray cannons to target gullies potentially hosting PVH. Calypso is the recommended product for this spraying and should be applied before December to minimise insect dispersal. | PVH egg laying starts in February and peaks in March.

4 | FARMLANDS - GROWING SUCCESS

During summer growers are limited to using pyrethrum products such

Triple X. For improved rain fastness Hywet SprayTite is recommended.

For more information please contact your local Farmlands Technical Advisor.

Article supplied by Dwayne Farrington, Technical Leader - Kiwifruit & Subtropical Crops, Farmlands Co-operative.

Source: Wilson.V and Tozer. P; NZ Kiwifruit Journal Aug/Sept 2019

VITICULTURE

Marlborough innovation vineyard update The Innovation Vineyard Project (IVP) is a collaboration between Farmlands Co-operative and the Marlborough Group Grape Growers Co-operative that commenced in 2017. The project aims to implement and ground truth current “best practice” management systems. In addition, blue-sky technologies are overlaid to demonstrate process and outcomes to Farmlands Co-operative and Marlborough Grape Grower Co-op shareholders.

Dissemination of information is managed through field days and on the Innovation Vineyard website: www.innovationvineyard.co.nz.

Current projects: 1. Simonit & Sirch Pruning Concepts Following the pruning workshop in August 2019 an area of vines was pruned at the Innovation Vineyard using Simonit & Sirch principles and subsequently shoot thinned.

The aim is to observe possible improvements in the vine’s vascular system, thereby reducing trunk disease pressure.

2. “Tandem” Block Development: (The block named in recognition of the two co-operatives involved).

Hi-Stem® and Ultra vines from Ormond Nurseries were planted in the winter of 2020 in combination with conventional vines to monitor and compare performance.

Recycled plastic Future-Posts™, Steel Eco-Posts® and timber SuperPost® have been installed to provide trellising support systems.

Individual features and benefits will be monitored over time.

The Tandem block has underground irrigation installed (as opposed to above ground on wire) to improve water use efficiency, improve the vine’s root system and minimise under vine weed growth. These aspects will be monitored and compared.

3. AgVita Analytical Nutrient Uptake Test Plant available nutrients are being monitored through analysis of sap extracted from petiole samples during the growing season. The testing regime is proving invaluable for monitoring immediate nutrient availability in the plant. This allows the fine tuning of nutrient requirements long before visible symptoms appear in the grapevine canopy.

4. Imagery Using Bitwiseagronomy.com Crop imagery is being captured using a tractor mounted camera to ascertain cane and bud numbers.

This information is being used to make informed decisions regarding vine management and yield.

This tool is under continuous development to provide data

| The next generation Farmlanders already looking after the soil.

during critical phenological stages throughout the growing season.

• Looking After the Number One Priority - The Soil Several projects are in place: · Soil improvement through use of compost products. · Introduction of regenerative farming principles. · Under-vine mulching. · Inter-row cropping e.g. legumes. · Biological activators.

Further updates on these projects are being provided at field days throughout the season and on the Innovation Vineyard website.

Article provided by Mart Verstappen, Technical Leader – Viticulture, Farmlands Co-operative.

| Recording cane and bud counts using Bitwiseagronomy software.

FARMLANDS - GROWING SUCCESS | 5

PIP / STONE FRUIT

Soil testing for optimising apple crop potential Soil testing is the single most important tool available for making decisions on applying fertiliser and lime in a profitable and responsible way. Using soil testing and soil nutrition management, growers can maintain or increase yields, improve crop quality and spend fertiliser budgets more efficiently.

soil test or ten? One test covering

well below the sampling depth, so

a ten-hectare block will not provide

overall tree health and performance

sufficient information for an informed

should also be considered when

decision to be made. Conversely,

making fertiliser decisions. Previous

50 tests on the same block will

and expected crop loads, drainage,

confuse growers into inactivity.

vigour, leaf test results, seasonal

Consulting traditional regional soil

weather, post-harvest fruit storability,

maps or NDVI maps will help to

soil condition and previous soil test

ascertain the appropriate number of

results should also all be considered.

samples to represent the soil types and

To be truly successful in interpreting

variability within a block. Knowledge

soil test results a knowledge of soil

of soil types will also assist in making

science is essential (e.g. understanding

decisions on testing frequency. Your

soil nutrients, the interactions they

Farmlands Technical Advisor can

have with one another and what this

advise on suitable sites for testing

means for the potential of apple trees).

and facilitate collecting, submitting,

Taking the time to learn more about the

and analysis of your samples.

soil types on their blocks is critically

Soil test results provide important

important for growers. Getting up close

information about nutrient status,

and personal by digging holes and

It is generally accepted that a plant’s genetic potential is limited by the nutrient in the shortest supply. Although this concept was popularised over 150 years ago the “law of minimum” still applies to many of the challenges that growers face today. Until it is known which nutrient factor is holding back potential, it cannot be addressed.

eliminate guesswork and allow

inspecting soil profiles and properties

growers to work with known factors.

is certainly a great way to learn more.

While the test results provide

Farmlands Technical Advisors

the basis for applying nutrients,

who work with apple growers

it must be understood that soil

are trained to interpret soil test

attributes will often be variable.

results and recommend the best

Knowledge of individual blocks is

course of action to growers.

A robust soil testing regime is the first step to building knowledge of what is occurring under our feet. So where should a grower start? One

consider trends in test results over

Although apples are often considered a moderate feeding crop, new growing styles, dwarfing root stocks and plantings in less fertile regions have changed how soil nutrition should be viewed. Such agronomic changes require a more thorough understanding of soils and their nutrient capacities.

This is particularly relevant now with growers seeking high quality returns in today’s competitive markets.

6 | FARMLANDS - GROWING SUCCESS

extremely important when analysing soil test results. It is important to time and to be aware that only the area where tree feeder roots are present is sampled. Apple tree roots often extend

For more information please contact your local Farmlands Technical Advisor.

Article supplied by Andy Davis, Technical Leader – Pip and Stone Fruit, Farmlands Co-operative

GROWTH & INNOVATION

Future focus at Farmlands Farmlands has recently pulled together key experts into a new Growth and Innovation team tasked with identifying the trends and industry innovation required to help our shareholders grow their success.

Technical leadership is a key component of the new team. “We have plenty of technical expertise in our business – including industry leaders in their respective fields. Pulling these experts into one team allows us to harness the full capability of our collective knowledge to benefit our shareholders,” Andrew Horsbrugh – Director of Growth and Innovation says.

The team is tasked with helping solve the problems our shareholders face in the future, by staying abreast of relevant sector and product strategies, and developing expertise and educational material to upskill our organisation.

The Growth and Innovation team will introduce to Farmlands staff and shareholders what best practice looks like now through to what is needed in 5 years time. There are six key areas of focus: • Agronomy and Farm Systems which champions arable and pastural, through our offer and extension services in seed, fertiliser and chemical. Sam Lucas leads the in-house expertise of farm planning, agronomy, regenerative agriculture, and integrated pest management.

• Horticulture is an important facet of the portfolio we deliver to our shareholder base. Mark Daniels leads our horticulture technical leaders, the future strategies and introduction of new innovations for our grower shareholders.

| Andrew Horsburgh, Director - Growth and Innovation.

• Sustainability and Land Use is a sizeable area of growth for us. Katie Vickers leads our knowledge and solutions for new legislation, compliance, sustainability and optimal land use. Katie will provide clear direction on evolving freshwater legislation, productive land, emissions, carbon management, and riparian planting, ultimately delivering effective solutions to our shareholders. Researching everything from forestry solutions to alternative proteins, Sustainability and Land Use champions meat, fibre, and forestry.

• The Future of Land and Food led by Gaz Ingram focuses on new and alternative ways to current traditional practices. This consumerfocused role challenges the norm and leads behaviour change regarding whole food, healthy food and Taiao product offers. Future of Land and Food champions the consumer, Te Ao Maori, lifestyle, organics, regenerative agriculture, biologicals, and soil health.

• Nutrition & Animal Health leads our offer and extension services in nutrition and animal health. Dr Rob Derrick, as Head of Nutrition & Animal Health, provides considerable technical expertise which is invaluable in helping shareholders make informed decisions. Rob continues his work in developing new products that improve stock performance.

The Growth and Innovation Nutrition team also champions dairy, goat, and sheep milking.

• Enabling Technology encompasses our offer in onfarm technology. Leading this, John Arrell helps develop how we use FarmIQ, SafeFarm, SafeVisit, oversight of the “Internet of Things”, innovative tools, and farmer/ grower software. With focus on traceability, block chain, farm data integration with our GrowGuide, Enabling Technology puts us at the forefront of precision farming and evolving digital platforms.

Shareholders will be kept regularly updated on the activity and solutions from the Growth and Innovation Team.

FARMLANDS - GROWING SUCCESS | 7

ACTIGARD™ Your Kiwifruit Against Psa-V. ACTIGARD is a systemic plant activator, which triggers the plant’s natural self-defense against Psa-V. Now with a full label claim against Psa-V in kiwifruit, ACTIGARD is best applied preventatively as a foliar spray during active spring growth (pre-flowering) and post-harvest (prior to leaf-fall).

Applied at 21 day intervals up to 4 times per season, ACTIGARD offers the opportunity to reduce the amount of copper applied, but can also be mixed with copper during periods of high risk.

Activate your Kiwifruit with ACTIGARD – from Syngenta.

For more information call 0800 333 336 or visit www.syngenta.co.nz

ACTIGARD is the trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No. P8487.

Always read the label completely before use.

TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF CROP MANAGEMENT Farmlands’ expert team of Technical Advisors are on hand to help you make the most out of your crop this year.

Our unbiased technical advice and support will help you manage the mayhem and reap the rewards through: • Delivering the latest products and technology • Crop health and spray programs • Advice and support all year round

Talk to your local Farmlands Technical Advisor Today.