Conference

The TomatoesNZ conference papers, including the annual report, 2016/17 budget, and audited accounts, plus proxy voting forms, will be in the mail to members in mid-July. The papers will also be available for download on the Tomatoesnz.co.nz conference page.

A combined AGM for TomatoesNZ and TomatoesNZ Incorporated will be held from 10:15am – 11:15am on Wednesday 3^rd.  You do not need to register for conference if you plan to attend the AGM only (and not the speaker sessions or meals), though if you could let me know if you plan to come to the AGM’s that would be appreciated.

You will need to get in quick if you plan to come to the full conference as registrations close on22^nd July. Go to www.thehorticultureconference to register.

We are delighted to confirm AGMARDT support with the cost of bringing our keynote speaker Michael Bledsoe to NZ.

 

Michael will give two talks, covering the following topics:

• North American tomato and cucumber greenhouse overview;  technology and challenges
• North American Minor Use programs – how they have accessed new agrichemical options.
• Biosecurity, seed testing and learnings from dealing with seed suppliers

ASIA FRUIT Logistica

After the success of last year’s stand, TomatoesNZ will again have a presence at ASIA FRUIT Logistica, in Hong Kong 7 – 9 September. 

NZ Hothouse will again support the stand by sending three people up to Hong Kong and taking samples of premium NZ tomatoes with them; while TNZ is paying for the stand which will be within the New Zealand Exhibit.

Simon Watson from NZ Hothouse, who was on the stand last year and will be again this year, says that the Asia Fruit Logisitica target markets are developing rapidly and tomato consumption is increasing faster than the local producers can adapt. We also have the advantage of providing a summer supply during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter.

The expo was excellent exposure for New Zealand Tomatoes in a market that is lucrative, rapidly growing and is accessible to NZ.  Over 30 contacts with traders (importers and exporters) were made at last year’s show, and we hope to repeat or better that this year.

Whitefly bioassay project proposed

TomatoesNZ held a workshop of industry stakeholders in February to discuss the whitefly control issue that is becoming an ever-increasing problem for tomatoes, some other greenhouse crops and outdoor potato growers, particularly in South Auckland.

One of the projects proposed during the workshop was to develop an insecticide susceptibility bioassay that would allow growers to determine if their suspicion of whitefly agrichemical resistance has any basis, and to what degree.

The bioassay is a technique that can be used by growers themselves, allowing them to build a picture over time of any changes to insect susceptibility to the agchems that are being used, and compare site differences.

In late May we successfully submitted a project inquiry to AGMARDT to assist with funding to develop and test the bioassay with growers. This means that we will now work with Plant & Food Research to develop a full project proposal to be submitted in August. If the bid is successful the work would start this year. The project will include other covered vegetable growers and potato growers in the South Auckland area as well as tomato growers, and would be managed through the Vegetable Research and Innovation Board. If you are interested in participating, please get in touch with me at Helen.Barnes@hortnz.co.nz.

Board election result

There were three nominations for three available positions, therefore no election will be held.

Tony Norton and Malcolm Pook are therefore deemed re-elected, along with Hayden Armstrong who returns to the board after an absence.

Tamarixia approved

We are thrilled at the news that that our application to import for release (without controls) the TPP biocontrol agent Tamarixia trioaze has been approved!

A big THANK YOU to those of you that made submissions in support.

The project team will now apply for an import permit from MPI.  Once that is received, Tamarixia can be purchased from overseas suppliers. A research project (supported by the Ministry of Primary Industries Sustainable Farming Fund) is planned to release and monitor Tamarixia in horticultural environments.