PROCESS VEGETABLES UPDATE
Richard Palmer : Process Vegetables New Zealand general manager
Process Vegetables New Zealand (PVNZ), together with Vegetables New Zealand, is holding a grower roadshow in Christchurch on 4 August 2022. Presentations will include a specific session on the pea research being undertaken by Plant & Food Research as well as by a Lincoln PhD student. These presentations will highlight some of the focused research that PVNZ funds to improve productivity and provide answers to some of the key questions relating to environmental management. PVNZ continues to invest in research, well supported by processors and the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Fund (SFFF). In the latter case, we have had a three-year programme of research looking at the variables in pea seed lines and the effect on crop yield.
THE MIXING OF SEED LINES INCREASED VARIABILITY IN FLOWERING TIMES
AND SUBSEQUENTLY, HARVESTED YIELD
Dr Bruce Searle from Plant & Food Research (PFR) will present on the results from the third year of this research at the 4 August 2022 roadshow. The outcomes from Bruce’s research have already been applied, with the second-year results showing the mixing of seed lines increased variability in flowering times and subsequently, harvested yield. PVNZ is currently working with PFR
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on a draft fourth year programme to identify how the environmental conditions of the mother crop affect subsequent seed performance, and importantly, how these effects can be mitigated to improve productivity. PVNZ is also continuing research to quantify the actual losses of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sulphur, Calcium, Magnesium and Sodium in peas, green beans and broad beans to provide more accurate coefficients for the Overseer model. Work already done has provided relevant and up-to-date coefficients for Overseer reflecting the known losses applicable in Canterbury. This is an area of work that is continuing, including aligned work looking at values for Hawke’s Bay production. The government’s recent announcement of emission reduction targets further highlights the need for focus on these areas of work, both to understand losses but importantly, to assist growers to decide on appropriate reductions and the whole cost of inputs.
What is clear is that consumers cannot expect pricing of fruit and vegetables to remain constant with growers soaking up increased costs The input cost to offset emissions will come at a price that will ultimately need to be borne by consumers. Given concern about inflation, the question is how this can be translated into improved pricing and grower returns, and perhaps most importantly, what actions the government will take to reduce the power of the supermarket duopoly. What is clear is that consumers cannot expect pricing of fruit and vegetables to remain constant with growers soaking up increased costs. That outcome would be ruinous for growers and disastrous for the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.
