Kiwifruit sector's big night out
The turmoil and challenges faced by the kiwifruit industry in the past 30 years were put to one side but not forgotten at a glitzy night for 400 kiwifruit growers and guests in Mt Maunganui recently.
The information evening is being hosted by kiwifruit operator, Direct Management Services (DMS), who firmly believe that G3 is the way forward for the kiwifruit industry in New Zealand - so much so that they are offering to help growers convert part of their orchards to the new variety.
DMS is a kiwifruit management, post-harvest operator and packer that operates across the Western Bay of Plenty, with growers located from Katikati to Edgecumbe. It has two large packhouse facilities in Te Puke and Te Puna, and is one of the largest independent, privately owned kiwifruit management companies in New Zealand.
DMS director, Paul Jones, says the company has received wide interest from growers who are keen to learn more about G3.
"G3 clearly offers significant future potential for the kiwifruit industry. We believe it is the way forward for New Zealand."
Jones says G3 delivers on productivity, profits and Psa-tolerance. He says it is relatively easy to grow compared to green kiwifruit, and can be up to six times more profitable than the green variety.
Jones converted some of his family orchard into G3 in 2010, with a successful and profitable first harvest in 2012. He converted more in 2011 and 2012, and he is impressed with the results.
"I think potential growers will be too. G3 was bred for specific attributes, including size, productivity and taste, but it has also turned out to be more Psa tolerant than other varieties, which is a big positive in our current environment.
"Sadly, Psa is never going to be fully eradicated in New Zealand, and while green kiwifruit will be profitable for productive growers, we have to get smarter about how we produce gold - G3 will be the way that we will do that in the future."
The G3 variety was developed by Crown Research Institute, Plant and Food Research, and commercially released after three years of pre-trials and testing in 2010 - the same year that Psa struck New Zealand's original gold variety, 16A.
The information evening will include case studies of DMS' own experiences with G3 conversion and the results that have been achieved, as well as further details about the conversion programme.
The information evening will be held on Wednesday, April 10 at the ASB Arena, Baypark, at Mount Maunganui. For further information and to register, growers should go to www.dms4kiwi.co.nz
