Attention HB orchardists

Innovative weed control project launches in Motueka, why not HB?


  Added 2 years ago

Attention HB orchardists

A December 12 article in Farmers Weekly began with this paragraph …

“A battle is underway in an apple orchard in Motueka (as we began reading, we were eagerly anticipating the words, ‘Hawke’s Bay’) as researchers watch to see if groundcover plants will see off weeds and reduce the need for herbicides.”

The trial got underway in October on Willisbrook Orchard at Hope, near Nelson. Seven different seed species with different attributes – sheep’s burnet, bird’s foot trefoil, plantain, strawberry clover, alyssum, chicory, common yarrow – have been planted under the trial rows of apple trees. The aim is to establish whether all or some of these plants can outcompete weeds – and even improve soil quality – without any detrimental impact on the trees and their fruit.

Seems like a well-conceived project with major operational and sustainability implications. Good on them.

But why Motueka we ask with envy?

NZ Apples and Pears (HQ’d in Hastings) and Plant and Food Research (with a facility in Havelock North) are partners in the project.

And isn’t Hawke’s Bay the ‘fruitbowl of New Zealand’? We must have a bevy of innovative orchardists. More than just Craigmore’s Springhill operation in CHB, on whom we’ve reported previously in this newsletter, here and here. 

C’mon HB orcharding innovators … raise your hands. Tell us what you’re up to. We’ll be proud to report on you.

 

 


Join the conversation

Be the first to leave a comment.

Leave a comment

All comments are reviewed before they are published on the website. Your email address will not be published.

Fill out my online form.
HBBFT meets Land for Life with appointment of Di Roadley to its board
HBBFT meets Land for Life with appointment of Di Roadley to its board
Added 7 days ago
Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Farming: Integrating Soil Science, Pasture Management, and Dairy Research
Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Farming: Integrating Soil Science, Pasture Management, and Dairy Research
Added a week ago
Scaling Up National Cover Crop Seed Supplies Through Research
Scaling Up National Cover Crop Seed Supplies Through Research
Added 2 weeks ago
Hawke’s Bay Entrepreneur Transforms Beef Offal into Health Supplements
Hawke’s Bay Entrepreneur Transforms Beef Offal into Health Supplements
Added 2 weeks ago
AI-powered robotic feed pusher
AI-powered robotic feed pusher
Added 3 weeks ago
Sustainable Farming for the Future
Sustainable Farming for the Future
Added 4 weeks ago