Lydia Goodman named Central Otago Young Grower of the Year 2025
Lydia Goodman has been crowned the Central Otago 2025 Young Grower of the Year regional winner.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris are reporting near ideal spring start conditions for fruit growers this season.
Metris forecaster and chief executive Dr Mark Bart says good winter chilling has been followed by a mix of mild weather, followed by occasional rain-bearing fronts, which has been positive for key fruit and grape growing regions around the country.
“The mild start to spring for the country has come in waves as Australia’s record heat for this time of year has been pushed onto New Zealand from Westerlies that are squeezing between the competing low pressure systems to the south of us and high pressure to the north.
“This pattern is bringing frequent westerly winds, followed by periods of short, sharp southerlies and frosts of the kind we experienced through September.”
“It is shaping up to be a positive season for fruit growers. We experienced good chilling with cold nights which likely knocked back disease and importantly bodes well for fruit development.
“Plant growth has been between 10-12 days ahead of usual due to the mix of winter chilling and mild conditions from the predominantly westerly weather pattern. We are seeing this in the Growing Degree Days we are tracking for clients where we have weather stations – apples are up considerably on last season.
He says the cold southerly fronts have brought on harder frosts than seen in the previous two to three seasons.
“While there is extra frost pressure and the frosts have been harder than last season, that comes with periods of clear, warm days which have been a good thing to help get into orchards and vineyards to clear and keep disease pressure under control - a key risk to manage for the season ahead."
Australian dairy farmers supplying Fonterra are getting an opening weighted average milk price of A$8.60/kgMS for the new season or around NZ$9.26/kgMS - NZ74c less than New Zealand suppliers, based on the current exchange rate.
Taranaki veterinarian Dr Rob Mills is the new president of New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA).
Input costs can make or break a season for farmers and electricity is one of the largest expenses.
Zespri says global sales for the 2024-25 season topped $5 billion on the back of strong demand and market returns.
Massey University is returning to the Fieldays with a future-focused, solution-driven theme, showcasing research that delivers practical advancements in agricultural efficiency, sustainability and longevity.
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
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