Unity call from growers’ leader

He knows the next two years will be tough, but believes in the future of kiwifruit.

"The number one thing is, we must stay together – united we stand, divided we fall," he says. "The biggest strength of the industry is that we are united."

A priority in his role will be to make sure support systems – financial or psychological – are in place for the growers to help them through. He believes if the growers can stand together, research with agri-chemicals and new varieties will provide the answers.

Trebilco bought his first green orchard in 1996, and now also has gold, organic green, some new green varieties, kiwi berry and small areas of G14, G3 and G9. He is not affected by Psa yet, but is constantly checking and knows the writing is on the wall for all Gold Hort 16A, as advised by Kiwifruit Vine Health.

He says kiwifruit has an advantage over other fruits: a large genetic pool and varieties with different tolerance to the bacteria. "Because of the cooperative nature of the industry we have a very large plant breeding programme – easily the largest in the world. The combination of those things means we will find a way through this and it probably will be through new varieties, particularly in regard to 16A.

"It doesn't mean things won't be difficult over the next year or two for growers, particularly gold growers – if your plants are dying, you are not going to produce a crop."

Changing varieties isn't an overnight solution either. New varieties are grafted during winter, and bud wood production has to be increased in preparation.

"One year's crop is lost with regrafting, with the following year having a 70-80% crop."

Several new varieties are in the pipeline but will take time to test, not only gold but also some green, which are even more Psa-tolerant than Hayward.

Trebilco thinks some growers believe they are going to get through with Hort 16A, particularly with new agrichemicals that weren't available 12 months ago.

He says an important role of Kiwifruit Growers is to help its members understand the issues and manage transition.

"I have opinions about the way things should go but so do other growers and they are no less valid. We need to make sure we have as much information out there for growers as possible so they can make their own decisions.

"Whether they graft a new variety or not will be up to individual growers. There may be some growers who think they can survive with 16A; that is their decision".

Meanwhile growers face increased costs in sprays and orchard hygiene, with tight margins for green kiwifruit, particularly with the Euro exchange rate.

But the new president is buoyed by hope for growers.

"We're waiting to see what happens with the new gold variety; if it comes through summer that'll give the industry great encouragement. There'll be a drop in production for a year or two but potentially if new varieties work, the prospects are not too bad."