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Conference Organiser: Nick Nelson-Parker -
Conference Registrar: Brian Sprigings -
Contents
Another great Conference! Some reviews soon...
Introduction - "The Horticultural Powerhouse" (archive)
CONFERENCE TOUR OPTIONS (archive)
Pre/Post-Conference Opportunities (archive)
2004 Tree Crops Conference, "The Horticultural Powerhouse" (archive)
The Tree Crops Association blossomed out of the wave of enthusiasm that accompanied the kiwifruit boom in the seventies. Now that this industry has come back from hard times it is going from strength to strength. Together with the avocado industry, they are turning the Bay of Plenty into a "horticultural powerhouse."
There are lessons here for all growers and the NZ Tree Crops Annual Conference to be held in Tauranga in April 2004 will be the ideal opportunity to explore some of them. Using the powerhouse analogy, this Conference is looking at three aspects required to make tree cropping really power away; the soil environment, the plants themselves and the output.
1. Consider the outputs; taking the harvest and turning it into a product that somebody actually wants and extending its potential use and value.
2. Consider the tree environment; lucrative output has to be sustainable. Nobody wants to be a five season wonder. The volcanic soils in this region may be naturally fertile, but everything can be improved, and long term improvements are paramount. Tree Croppers are becoming increasingly interested in what happens under their trees, and this conference is a great opportunity to hear the latest ideas and discuss them with likeminded growers. That is where Katie Webster comes into the picture. Information from her research in Australia is so remarkable that we are bringing her over specially to tell us about it.
3. The contribution of the plants themselves, the traditional focus of Tree Croppers. In this event we not only take a pragmatic look at the huge range of cropping trees available, but how to breed new ones. Huge strides are being made in developing new kiwifruit varieties. The techniques used can be duplicated with many other crops.
So there you have it. Top class speakers, with subject matter you cannot afford to miss, at a lovely venue, at a location highly accessible for most members, all at the cheapest registration price in years. And fielday venues; so many good ones to choose from. This is the year to come to a Tree Crops Conference.
CONFERENCE TOUR OPTIONS (archive)
The Bay of Plenty Horticultural Powerhouse
There is a twin theme running through this conference. While focusing on the methodology that creates a "horticultural powerhouse", one cannot help being aware that the whole region is itself a vibrant horticultural community creating prosperity and opportunity. In effect a horticultural powerhouse. The properties chosen for the fieldays exhibit many of the features discussed in the lectures.
Saturday April 3.
1A Subtropical Orchard.
You could easily be distracted by the attractive landscaped garden set on the shores of the northern Tauranga harbour. A leading export grower of Tamarillos and Passionfruit owns this subtropical production orchard. They are two fruit species usually grown as short-term cash crops because they are considered so difficult. Tony and Linda have grown them for years. The backbone of the Bay's horticulture is still fresh fruit export. If it is done well there is a long-term future in it. The aspect that visitors to this property can take away with them is the owners' approach that results in profitable crops year after year; in effect the ingredients of professionalism.
1B Worms
A property actively practising vermiculture to drive the production of a range of fruit crops including Avocados, Feijoas, Lemons and Olives. John and Thelma have followed Katie Webster's research for a number of years. They have applied it on their horticultural block and it shows. It is encouraging to see that research results can be incorporated into a standard family venture, and do not require the resources of large-scale agri-business to benefit. Here are many practical ideas for setting up your own vermiculture system.
Again this orchard is typical for the region in that it largely produces fresh fruit for export and for sale within New Zealand. Their competitive edge comes from their attention to the orchard environment.
2A Olive Grove and Processing.
Not only is this one of the larger Olive plantings in the Bay Of Plenty, but Bruce and Kathleen's knowledge is equally extensive. See a range of Olives suitable for this region and the management practises used to successfully produce them in this climate. They have taken book knowledge and experience from overseas visits and applied that to growing their crop in a different climate with its own challenges and solutions.
Aware that this crop can only work with a saleable product at the end, Virgin Olive Oil is produced on site. The equipment used can be viewed.
2B Copperfields, Citrus Nursery
The specialist citrus nursery grows New Zealand's largest range of citrus varieties. Citrus is one of the longest established tree crops in this country, but you will be amazed at the developments happening, the number of new varieties, and what a long term process it is to produce that plant you see in the garden centre. Having a successful industry requires a supply of quality plants on the right rootstocks being readily available. The visitor will be able to see the process of fruit tree production from rootstock to bagged plant and find out about the latest varieties available to the industry.
3 Breeding a New Variety
At HortResearch, Te Puke get an on the spot view of the process involved in the selection and production of new varieties of Kiwifruit. The process of creating a new variety of sufficient worth to be taken up by industry is a well thought through process that requires time and attention to detail. Can the amateur adapt the techniques sufficiently to foot it with the big boys? Maybe not with kiwifruit, but there are many other species awaiting development.
Sunday April 4
1a A Mixed Production Orchard.
The main crops in this orchard are Macadamias, Chestnuts, Walnuts, and Cherimoyas (supplying the local market), but there is also a home orchard containing an extensive variety of different and interesting subtropical fruit trees. In fact many of the species you will see here you will have only read about in the Tree Cropper, and there are a few you will have never heard of before. If you are a looking for a new crop to take your interest, this is the stop for you.
1B Production facility for Grove Avocado Oil.
You heard the story of how Neil created a product from fruit that was only considered cattle food. Now avocado oil is a must-have delicacy that chefs are clamouring for the world over. Sounds too good to be true? Well, come and see for yourself. We will be privileged to see round the plant that makes the oil that is now supplied to the world market.
2A Incredible Edibles Nursery.
The production nursery where all those plants you have been drooling over in the local garden centre come from. Andrew's team has just moved to a new facility for the propagation and growing on of a wide range of species of interest to treecoppers. A feature of this site is a walk that incorporates fruit bearing plants as landscaping elements.
2B Morton Estate Winery
Visit one of the region's leading wineries for an explanation of the winemaking process carried out there and some tasting. You will be getting the idea we can grow anything (just about) in the Bay of Plenty, and do it well. Wine making must be one of the oldest value added products from horticulture, but the technology is always improving. This is a fascinating blend of the ancient with the high tech, and the product has to be world class to compete in an extremely competitive market.
3 McLaren Falls Arboretum
A guided tour of McLaren Falls, a well established arboretum in the Kaimai Ranges. The lakeland park is set amongst pastoral farming and horticulture, and contains one of the best botanical collections of trees in the North Island. Over 12,000 trees have been planted over several decades. Native bush is interspersed with exotic trees that provide spectacular autumn colours. The park abounds with wildlife - up to 42 different species, including regionally threatened North Island Brown Kiwi, North Island Robin and the Long-Tailed Cuckoo.
Take It Home
Once you have seen it, you can take the ideas home with you. J.Paul Getty said, "If you want to get rich, just find someone making lots of money and do what he's doing." Over the space of the Tauranga conference you will be exposed to some exceptionally capable people, at least one of whom has blazed the path you need to take. (archive)
http://www.treecrops.org.nz/bydate/conf04/index.html
Created: Wednesday, 4 June 2003 - Updated: 2007 August 10
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