A winning invention on display at Northland Field Days

The Pollensmart at work in a Te Puke kiwifruit orchard.

A machine that is billed as promising to increase kiwifruit yield and reduce costs will be make its Northland Field Days debut this week.

The Pollensmart artificial pollinator is the brainchild of Bay of Plenty innovator and kiwifruit orchardist David Horwood.

Tired of watching pollen go to waste when pollinating his own kiwifruit vines, he came up with a machine that he says allows growers to use less pollen and increase fruit size and quality.

Pollen is placed into the dispenser, which can be programmed to release the exact quantity required.

The fan then blows the pollen on to the open flowers, not once, like traditional machines, but four times, via a vacuum intake that recycles the fallen pollen.

The Pollensmart, which underwent research trials on several Bay of Plenty orchards last season, was proven to increase yield, reduce costs and optimise timing, he said, research showing that multiple light applications of pollen gave superior results compared to a single pass with a heavy rate, and the more often a flower was pollinated, the bigger and better the fruit.

The machine, which is manufactured in Whakatane, won the National Fieldays Innovations Launch NZ top award last year and was now in full production.

It would be on display at The Wrangler site (168).

Meanwhile Northland Federated Farmers president John Blackwell said the Field Days (Thursday to Saturday) not only gave the local economy a major boost but were a chance for farming groups and suppliers to get together and "wave the flag".

Saturday would be the best chance for urban folk to get a taste of rural life and issues.

"A visit to the Field Days is a great family day out, and on Saturday there will be plenty for the kids to do," Mr Blackwell said.

"It is the biggest outdoor event north of Auckland, and attracts more than 20,000 people.

"The Northland Federated Farmers team will again be there, alongside Beef & Lamb and Northland Health. Whether you want a contract for employment, our view on the Far North District Council's draft dog control bylaws, to know more about outstanding landscapes or just a cold drink out of the sun, drop in and see us."

Dr Tanya Quin, an expert in medicine and farming, would be back by popular demand, while the Northland DHB's focus would be on mental wellbeing and the pressures of life in the drought zone.

"Alison Whiteford (Beef & Lamb) will be in charge of the barbecue, giving farmers the chance to talk about what local project they think should take place with their levy money," Mr Blackwell added.

"The trial work I did with chicory changed my view on this drought-tolerant herb, a high-quality feed when you need it in a dry summer.

"We are also working with the Young Farmers.

"One of my goals is to try and encourage young people to work and live in Northland, as we need them desperately. The average age of New Zealand farmers is close to a figure a lot of us would want to be retired by.

"Young Farmers is a group of people under 30 who hold very interesting events - and you don't have to be a farmer to get involved."