'Don't forget the East Coast'
Don't forget East Coast growers hit by Cyclone Gabrielle one year ago.
Heather Feetham, a 25-year-old production manager at T&G Fresh, has won the 2021 Pukekohe Young Grower competition.
The competition tested the four contestant’s vegetable and fruit growing knowledge as well as skills needed to be a successful grower.
Contestants completed modules in marketing, compliance, pests and disease identification, safe tractor driving, health and safety, soil and fertilisers, irrigation and quality control.
“When they called my name saying that I had won, I was really shocked and proud,” says Feetham. “The fact that I’m the first woman to have won the Pukekohe competition is an added bonus.”
She says the competition, which took place on Friday 7 May, was fierce.
“I definitely want to credit the other competitors,” she says.
“I’m excited about the finals. It’s going to take a lot of prep to get myself ready for it, but I will try and make the Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association proud and represent the region well.”
Feetham will represent the Pukekohe growing community at the national Young Grower of the Year competition in Wellington on 22-23 September, where six other regional finalists will compete for their share of $30,000 worth of prizes.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) president, Barry O’Neil, says that the Young Grower competition plays an important role in supporting the next generation of growers and leaders.
“With the rapid rate of change and challenges facing the industry, we need to support these talented young growers. Competitions like this give young growers invaluable experience to help start their journey as the leaders of tomorrow. People like Heather show that the future of the industry is in safe hands,” says O’Neil.
“The competition showcases some of the industry’s top talent. It is a chance for us all to celebrate their success and support the industry’s rising talent.”
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.