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Grower News

1 December 2016

Orchards in the Bay of Plenty and other regions have continued to be battered by strong winds over the past fortnight with cane loss and severe leaf damage, particularly in high altitude and/or wind exposed Hayward canopies. Elevated levels of Psa leaf spot and flower-bud infection are also being seen on these orchards as pollination continues. Leaf spotting has also been reported on a few Gold3 blocks.

The increase in Psa symptoms is unsurprising given the high level of canopy damage, as wounds have created multiple access points for Psa.

Growers are recommended to reapply copper cover as soon as pollination is complete to manage Psa inoculum levels and should consider additional coppers prior to periods of high risk weather throughout the balance of the growing season.

Typically, Psa risk reduces significantly as temperatures rise to 20 degrees or above; however, growers with moderate or severe leaf spot are reminded that these spots continue to be a potential inoculum source when weather conditions favour Psa.

Prune males during dry periods and follow up with protective sprays as soon as practicable to protect pruning wounds and recovering leaf canopy.

Foliars to support leaf and vine recovery should be tailored to individual orchard needs. Maintain a five to seven-day gap between applications of foliars and copper to minimise the risk of phytotoxicity to leaves and fruit. Do not apply sprays in poor drying conditions or high humidity as risk of fruit staining increases. Be aware of fruit sensitive periods

Gold skin sensitivity commences around 21 days after fruit set with risk increasing between 28 and 42 days and reducing again between 42 and 80 days. For Hayward, 14 to 35 days after fruit set is considered a high-risk period. If needed, protective sprays may be applied but take extra caution to ensure excellent spray conditions.

Protective Psa programs should be continued on all sites with high levels of wind damage and leaf spot, irrespective of remaining fruit numbers. Failure to maintain a strong program risks inoculum build-up within the orchard and may also add risk to neighbouring orchards.

Company Notices

1 December 2016

MPI and GIA partners hosted the Protecting to Grow New Zealand Biosecurity Forum last week, which included national and international experts speaking about the future of biosecurity in New Zealand. Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy also launched the Biosecurity 2025 Direction Statement. The second day of the forum provided opportunity for discussion and contribution through workshops focused on each of the five key strategic directions.

Chief Executive Barry O’Neil and Biosecurity Programmes Manager Andrew Harrison attended the forum and contributed significantly to the workshops.

Click here to read the Biosecurity 2025 Direction Statement.

Grower News

1 December 2016

Hill Laboratories will receive samples up to Friday 16 December 2016. Any samples received on or before this date should have results reported prior to Christmas. The start-up date for the...

Hill Laboratories will receive samples up to Friday 16 December 2016. Any samples received on or before this date should have results reported prior to Christmas.

The start-up date for the New Year will be Monday 9 January 2017.

Only KVH pre-arranged urgent testing will be accepted between these dates. Please contact Karyn Lowry on 027 227 1157 If urgent Psa testing is required between 19 December and 6 January. Photos of symptoms will be required. We anticipate these will only be from areas currently free of Psa (i.e. South Island).

Grower News

1 December 2016

HortPlus NZ and KVH have recently produced a suite of online training videos, designed to assist with using the Psa Risk Model and associated weather tools. Click here to watch the videos and...

HortPlus NZ and KVH have recently produced a suite of online training videos, designed to assist with using the Psa Risk Model and associated weather tools.

Click here to watch the videos and learn more about the Risk Model.