Field day a chance for growers to reconnect and start looking forward

Growers stopped at the end of a block of limes to discuss all aspects of orchard management including pruning, harvesting and nutrition. Pictures by Justine Hurlstone

Gisborne citrus company First Fresh had an excellent turn out at its Spring Field Day after what company CEO Ian Albers described as the toughest year he could remember in 23 years.

The focus for the afternoon was to reconnect with growers and start looking forward, Mr Albers said.

“Let’s try to rule a line under 2023 and work hard to make 2024  a better year in all respects,” he said.

The field day took place at an orchard in Kirkpatrick Road which First Fresh started leasing in March of this year after the owners decided to retire.

What is unique about this orchard is that while it’s a large citrus block it grows more than 10 varieties, so it is not dominant in any one variety.

That allows year-round harvesting and continuity of work for the orchard’s permanent staff.

Field service and new variety development manager Matthew Carter led a tour around the orchard, stopping at each variety to discuss all aspects of orchard management including, among other things, pruning, harvesting and nutrition.

Around 50 growers enjoyed a barbecue lunch and tour of the orchard where they were brought up to speed with presentations from the First Fresh procurement and sales and marketing teams.

There were also presentations and displays from various companies including Growsafe, Biostart, Advanced Tractor and Taruheru Nursery.

Matthew Carter said the inclusion of these other companies was a great adjunct to what First Fresh had to showcase and gave growers exposure to a range of available services and relevant products for the time of year and current conditions.

Rounding out the day, First Fresh presented growers with a range of new citrus variety options, all at various stages of development and commercialisation.

“We have had a deliberate strategy around new variety development starting back six or seven years ago,” Mr Carter said.

“We are now in position with a few of them where we feel they are ready for growers to plant and commercialise.”

The crown jewel in the new variety programme  is undoubtedly the seedless Eureka lemon. A number of growers have already planted this and plantings are set to ramp up from 2024.

The small amount of fruit produced this season was used for customer evaluation purposes and was met with universal praise and enthusiasm.

“We are hugely excited about the potential of this variety in our main export market Japan,” Mr Albers said.