Young growers through to finals

T&G Global 2017 Young Fruitgrower of the Year finalists T&G's Lachlan McKay, NZ growing manager, NZ Pipfruit, Luke Scragg, Deanna Muir, T&G's Bruce Beaton, GM Pipfruit NZ and Adam Fulford (winner).

The knowledge and skills of T&G's budding young growers were put to the test at T&G
Pipfruit's annual Young Fruit Growers competition.

The competition at T&G's Evenden Road orchard in Twyford, Hawke's Bay was in its fourth year and was open to T&G orchard workers 30 years of age and under.

Eight of T&G's Hawkes Bay orchard staff, and two from Nelson, took part in last week's day-long competition which involved pest control and disease knowledge to fruit maturity, machinery and irrigation maintenance, pruning and staff planning.

Contestants also delivered a speech on crop growing topics.

Points were awarded for each activity by locally based judges made up from suppliers including Fruitfed, Irrigation Services, Class Harvest Centre, Farmlands, Llewellyn Horticulture Ltd and Tumu Timbers.

The overall winner was Adam Fulford, who pipped Deanna Muir by just two points for the 2017 Young Fruit Grower title. Luke Scragg was third and all are from Hawke's Bay.

Mr Fulford was relieved to win the Young Fruit Growers competition for the second year in a row, particularly as the caliber of competition doesn't leave any room for error, he said.

"The competition gets tougher each year and the margins for error get slimmer. And while the win is good, it was also great to demonstrate my ability to take care of the land like the judges have over their careers.

"Growing crops is a massive responsibility and I'm happy that there is a good group of young, passionate and determined growers coming through with me," he said.

The top three will now go through to the regional Hawke's Bay Young Fruit Grower competition in 2018, where they'll test their skills against young fruit growers from other producers from the region.

Students from Te Aute College, Flaxmere College, Napier Boys High School, St Johns College and Hastings Girls High School seeking to learn about horticulture were among the 100-plus visitors who watched competitors.

Ben McNatty, T&G's orchard technical manager, says the competition is just one-way T&G is seeking to grow diversity and attract more youth to the horticulture industry.

"A lot of young people are unsure of what to do when they leave school and many don't realise the amazing opportunities the horticulture sector offers them right here in the bay.

"The competition and open day helps our young people hone and test their knowledge while showing others the awesome and varied roles available to them."

Lachlan McKay, T&G's growing manager, agrees, saying events like this are key to attract, grow and retain local talent.

"Our Young Fruit Growers competition not only builds the culture within T&G, but is
hugely important for us to showcase the opportunities our company and this industry can offer and get the right people to join us contributing to the $700 million dollar pipfruit industry, of which T&G is a major player," says Lachlan.