HORTICULTURE - MSC NewsWire

Kiwifruit growers can now access a new tool to help them combat the bacterial disease Psa – the biocontrol product AureoGold™.

AureoGold™, developed by Plant & Food Research in collaboration with Arysta LifeScience, is a natural yeast strain that reduces growth and spread of Psa bacteria. It can be used during flowering and post fruit set, a time in the calendar when use of other controls for Psa is limited. AureoGold™ is a yeast found naturally on many different species of plants and fruits in New Zealand and is safe for bees.

Source A Plant & Food Research release

NZ: Torrential rain damages Teviot Valley fruit

Following the heavy rain in the region last week, some Teviot Valley orchardists are reporting damage to about half of their early ripening cherry crop.

Source A FreshPlaza release

Postharvest scientist honoured by NZIAHS

Plant & Food Research scientist Dr Jeremy Burdon has been awarded a Fellowship of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science in recognition of his longstanding contributions to postharvest science that supports New Zealand's fresh fruit industries, particularly kiwifruit and avocado.

New Zealand kiwifruit industry welcomes more workers

26 Nov: | The kiwifruit industry welcomes more Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers for next season, but must still work hard to attract the rest of the required workforce, said New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc (NZKGI) chief executive Nikki Johnson.

Source A FreshPlaza release

New Zealand: Central Otago frost - disaster avoided

Central Otago winegrowers and orchardists are feeling "positive" about the upcoming season and are pleased to have dodged a bullet in the form of a once in a lifetime frost.

Source/ReadMore A FreshPlaza release

One stop shop for avocado and kiwi ripening

A leading Queensland produce wholesaler says it has expanded its facilities as part of changes to requirements for imports of avocados from New Zealand.

Source A FreshPlaza release

Freshmax sets ambitious objectives ahead of New Zealand Cherry season

Freshmax is soon to launch its New Zealand export cherry program with the superior Lani™, closely followed by Starletta™. Lani™ is an early, large sized red cherry and Starletta™ is a white cherry that promises a "sweet white bite".

Source A FreshPlaza release

Apple and stonefruit industry members pleased relationship between MPI and US facility now heading in the right direction

, but it is just the start for MPI The nursery and fruit-growing companies at the heart of the legal action against MPI over seized apple and stonefruit plants and plant material have been working hard to facilitate the rebuilding of the relationship between MPI and the USA-based Clean Plant Centre North West (CPCNW).

Source A Catalyst Communications release

New Zealand Avocado crop welcomed in Australia

Avocados Australia expects supply of their home grown crop to taper off in January and February with the gap being filled by produce from the New Zealand market who had a good crop this year.

Source/ReadMore Fresh Plaza

Swarmstorm design to benefit beekeepers

Industrial design student Liam Brankin demonstrates how his Swarmstorm backpack would work recollecting bee swarms

Hobby beekeepers could have a new product to recollect swarms and maintain bee reproduction rates thanks to the work of Massey University industrial design student Liam Brankin.

Source A Massey University Release

Hawke's Bay apple growers hope to stave off 'apple picking crisis'

10 Nov: 0857 | Hawke's Bay's booming apple industry will be watching closely to see where an additional 1750 overseas workers will be stationed - as they hope to head off a repeat of this year's 'apple-picking crisis' .

Source/ReadMore A FreshPlaza release

Trade deal fantastic for horticulture

Largely unnoticed by media last week was the announcement that the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will take effect from 30 December this year.