Issues and Trends
Some growers are expressing concern that after going to great lengths to meet quality and cool chain requirements to get their fresh produce to the market, there is not necessarily the same effort made in the marketplace. There are reports of their fresh vegetables remaining in the sun for several hours or taking longer than necessary to be trucked to the marketplace and therefore reaching the consumer in less than optimum condition.
Tomato growers are working with processors to develop more sustainable ways of growing their crops, including strip tillage, trialing flat beds and drip irrigation. Controlled traffic farming is also being tried. This manages the amount of machinery on blocks, and the areas where it travels, to try to reduce soil damage such as compaction.
Intense competition for land on the Poverty Bay flats and a lack of good quality properties have forced up land values. This in turn increases the rates which producers pay. A new record for bare land was set recently when a 10 ha block sold for $450,000. This is a 20% increase on the previous top price paid for bare land.
In Gisborne a number of local organic growers, researchers, processors, and government agencies have formed a group to assist in overcoming some of the problems facing the industry. Over the past 2-3 years both the area of organic vegetable crops grown and the numbers of growers have been steadily declining. The group has been fortunate to receive some funding from Industry New Zealand, and some small-scale applied research is being undertaken.
The lettuce aphid finally arrived in Gisborne in the late spring of 2002. The pest caused considerable problems for Gisborne-based Leaderbrand Produce Ltd, New Zealand's largest lettuce producer. The pest is very difficult to control once it infests tightly-leafed lettuce varieties such as Iceberg. Difficulties in control may mean that producers move to growing more open-leafed varieties.
Leaderbrand Produce Ltd has continued their expansion. A new $4 million prepared salad packing facility was opened late in 2002.
Large fluctuations in the value of the NZD compared with those of our trading partners are making planning difficult for New Zealand-based exporters. In one calendar year the NZD versus United States dollar (USD) rate has moved from 39 c to 57 c. It is very difficult to plan forward foreign exchange cover with such wild currency fluctuations. Some industry personnel believe that instead of floating free, the NZD should be pegged against a basket of foreign currencies to smooth out currency fluctuations.
LandWISE Hawke's Bay is a joint initiative involving farmers, process industries, service and science providers, and regulators. It is primarily concerned with sustainable cropping, but extends to include a wider participation and audience where there is mutual benefit.
LandWISE conducted a number of trials on strip tillage in Gisborne during the season with encouraging results. A number of key growers and processors are supporting the project and further trials are planned if research funding can be obtained.
There is increasing evidence of farmers investing in and making use of the new technologies which have been developed. For example, a number of growers have invested in strip tillage machinery suited to a range of crops, and strip tillage is being offered by local contractors. There is also evidence of an increase in no-till crop establishment, in particular for planting peas and pasture renovation. Growers are finding that use of these methods is not only more profitable but it is better for their soils.
Another technology in the early stages of adoption is precision agriculture, with tools including high accuracy RTK-GPS systems and auto-steer being fitted to tractors.
After four years "incubation" support from Hawke's Bay Regional Council, the LandWISE group is to form a society in its own right.
Work is continuing on the MAF Sustainable Farming Fund On-Farm Irrigation Evaluation project, and a first draft code of practice has been prepared. On-farm trials to test the methodologies are underway.
Organic growers are facing competition from produce being grown by the prison farms. This is having a negative effect on prices when expected market expansion has not occurred. In fact, growers are reporting a retraction of the market this season.
There are increasing amounts of Bio-waste being composted in Hawke's Bay. However, concern is being expressed by organic growers over the negative fertility occurring, as potential soil nutrients, such as waste product from factories, is being dumped into landfills or transported to other areas for use as stock food.
Organic growers are also expressing concern about the potential impact of genetic engineering legislation on organic markets both in New Zealand and overseas.
Contact for Enquiries
Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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