Reliable irrigation crucial to hort sector
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says access to reliable irrigation water is essential for a thriving horticultural sector.
Six of New Zealand’s top young horticulturalists will put their skills to the test in the national Young Grower of the Year final in Hastings next week.
Finalists from the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Central Otago, and Pukekohe will compete in a series of challenges at the Tōmoana Showgrounds on October 9.
These include excavator operation, nutrition and fertigation, innovation, integrated pest management, agrichemical stewardship, horticulture biosecurity, fencing and repairs.
The winners will be announced at the annual gala dinner at Toitoi: Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre on October 10, where finalists will also take part in the Balance Leadership panel and FMG speech competition.
HortNZ acting chief executive Michelle Sands says the Young Grower of the Year event and the regional competitions, which are run independently of the national final, play an important role in supporting the next generation of industry leaders.
“The regional organisers who host and run the programmes do a great job and it’s very exciting to see such a high calibre of talented young people coming through these to compete for the national title,” Sands says.
“HortNZ takes great pride in hosting the national final in different parts of the country every year and we appreciate the support we receive from growers and our sponsors,” she adds.
The 2024 regional winners are:
To purchase tickets to the gala dinner, head to www.younggrower.co.nz
A Chinese business leader says Chinese investors are unfairly viewed as potential security risks in New Zealand.
In the first of two articles focusing on electrification in New Zealand, Leo Argent talks with Mike Casey, operator of the 100% electric-operated Electric Cherries orchard and founder of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa.
A Foundation for Arable Research initiative which took a closer look at the efficiency of a key piece of machinery for arable farmers - their combine harvesters - has been recognised at the Primary Industry NZ Awards.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reiterated New Zealand’s ‘China And’ policy, adding that it wasn’t about choosing one market over another but creating more options for exporters.
A long running trade dispute between New Zealand and Canada over dairy access has been resolved.
New Zealand Police is urging rural property owners to remain vigilant and ensure their property is secure.
OPINION: Spare a thought for the arable farmer, squeezed on one side by soft global prices and on the other…
OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts…