David Murdoch
As I was unable to attend the A.G.M. in Hamilton I had some catching up to do on the policies for the year. I attended my first management meeting in August, at Hamilton. A lengthy discussion was held about "Growing Today" and the problems of poor proofreading, excessive delays in publication, lack of articles of S.I. interest etc. Many of these problems have now been solved. However, the general feeling in the S.I. is that we seem to have insufficient information coming through on the temperate tree crops.
Visits to Branches
In September the S.I. members had a chance to meet our national president, Owen Long, during his visit to the S.I. branches. I accompanied him on a visit to the Aorangi branch to discuss the possible hosting of the 1987 conference. In early December I visited Central and Coastal Otago, and Southland branches where I addressed branch meetings. One of the main problems with these branches seems to be a general lack of tree crops information relevant to their interests.
S.I. Regional Meeting
The system of regular regional meetings held by the N.I. branches seemed to me an excellent way to improve communication between branches. After discussions with the management committee I called the first S.I. regional meeting, held at Lincoln on 30 November. We covered many points relating to N.Z.T.C.A. - in the future these meetings will form the basis of better communication and planning in the S.I. A lengthy discussion was held on the H.A.G. trials in an effort to solve some of the problems that had arisen. As the plants were available the trials were planted before the H.A.G. administration was sorted out. This led to a few misunderstandings, however, most of these problems have been solved and the plants have established well which is encouraging. The following motion was also passed at this meeting:
That the national management committee undertake to provide more financial commitment to the action groups. This may require a reassessment of the aims and objectives of the association.
W.A.G. (Walnut Action Group) & H.A.G.(Hazel Action Group)
There has been a flurry of activity with these action groups particularly in Canterbury where most of the research and development is based. A walnut competition received an overwhelming response and gave us the chance to assess nuts from over 400 seedling trees. This led to new selections for including in the trials at Lincoln College. Our thanks to Rex Baker who is the driving force behind the walnut work. The H.A.G. has extended into all parts of the S.I. by taking on the huge responsibility of hazelnut trials in all the S.I. branches. The data from these trials, collated at Lincoln College, will indicate variety suitability and performance for the different growing regions in the S.I. Without the dedication of Hamish Deans these trials would not have been planted. The influence of Lincoln College, through the commitment and enthusiasm of Dr David Jackson, Bill Nagle and David Shillito, is crucial to the research effort into walnuts and hazelnuts. The Canterbury Tree Crops Trust and DSIR provide considerable support particularly with hazelnuts.
I attended the hazelnut seminar in Palmerston North where, on behalf of the S.I. section of H.A.G., I have an outline of the research being carried out with hazelnuts in Canterbury.
At the regional meeting it was decided that we should hold a series of special interest group meetings during 1986. A walnut seminar was held at Lincoln and a chestnut meeting at Timaru. Something on hazelnuts is in the pipeline. An important fodder seminar had been held in September, and a major firewood seminar is being held by F.R.I. in Christchurch later this year.
Walnut Seminar
This seminar organised by Canterbury members of W.A.G and myself was held at Lincoln in mid April. About fifty-five people attended a day of lectures led by research scientists and W.A.G. members. The following day we visited the Lincoln College trials, Canterbury Tree Crop Trust plantings and a well set up young walnut orchard. Access to information on growing walnuts was a common concern among those attending.
Chestnut Meeting
The S.I. chestnut convener E. New arranged this meeting to discuss chestnuts in the S.I. It was hosted by Aorangi branch and held in Timaru on 25 April. We heard from several speakers and held a lengthy discussion on the advantages/disadvantages of a chestnut action group vs. a chestnut growers association. The meeting felt that a growers association would appear to suit their needs better. A steering committee was delegated to investigate the procedures and options available and will report back within three months.
David Murdoch
S.I.V.P.