Fruit fly discovery puts growers, exporters on edge
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Auckland-based marketing manager Bernadine Guilleux has joined the Horticulture New Zealand board.
Guilleux was one of the two directors elected by HortNZ members; sitting director Mike Smith was re-elected. Four candidates contested two vacant roles on the board.
Guilleux, marketing manager at Balle Bros in Auckland, is the only female member of the board.
HortNZ chairman Julian Raine says Guilleux has been “immersed in horticulture since childhood and has an impressive CV, including international qualifications, will bring a new perspective to the board”.
"We are conscious the board was all male, so it was great to see three women put their names forward for this election, with Bernadine being successful.
"The board’s goal is that its membership embraces the diversity of Horticulture New Zealand’s grower members."
Horticulture New Zealand represents over 5,000 commercial fruit and vegetable growers who employ about 60,000 people, making a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economy.
Smith has been involved in the kiwifruit industry for 20 years and currently grows kiwifruit in Welcome Bay, near Tauranga. He has been a Horticulture New Zealand director since 2015. He is focused on levy payers getting value for their levy.
Following a side-by-side rolling into a gully, Safer Farms has issued a new Safety Alert.
Coming in at a year-end total at 3088 units, a rise of around 10% over the 2806 total for 2024, the signs are that the New Zealand farm machinery industry is turning the corner after a difficult couple of years.
New Zealand's animal health industry has a new tool addressing a long-standing sustainability issue.
The Government has announced that ACC will be a sponsor of this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.
As veterinary student numbers grow to help address New Zealand's national workforce shortge, Massey University's School of Veterinary Science is inviting more veterinary practices to partner in training the next generation of vets.
South Island dairy farmers will soon be able to supply organic milk to Fonterra.

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