AgFirstNZ

Here is 5x3m spacing, grafted as a quad-stem & converted to an open V-trellis. Final result will be a shift from 666 stems/ha to 8000 stems/ha. Current setup is 13,320 stems/ha, but is planned to be reduced back to give each stem a 50cm window (3 uprights/lateral rather than 5).

Beautiful day in Opunake. Two effluent irrigation systems being installed this week by AgFirst Engineering, along with a 75kW water irrigation pump.

Sediment in waterways can have major impacts on fresh water quality & is of greater concern as catchment planning moves to hill country. Read our report on trial work testing effectiveness of #catchcrops following cool season grazing of forage crops: bit.ly/2rAO0wD

Must be Christmas time already! Maize is humming in the Waikato.

Check out our tips on kiwifruit girdling in our latest In Brief Global newsletter: bit.ly/2YhnpAN

Want to work for AgFirst? We're seeking expressions of interest from those interested in environmental or horticulture consultancy, and/or technician roles in the Waikato, King Country, Rotorua & Gisborne regions. Details here: agfirst.co.nz/careers/

Read useful tips on contract milking in a new paper, written by AgFirst's Kim Robinson. It includes info for both people thinking of going contract milking, and farm owners, and a handy example of a contract milking budget: bit.ly/34c0cSC

Here you have a stump rind graft: 4 grafts per stump, each with 3 good buds. We're looking for 8 uprights per stump going into a V trellis. Already 20 cm and steaming along!

Training Gold3 canes up strings? Find out how to avoid two common mistakes in our latest In Brief Global newsletter here: bit.ly/2Kztlzl

AgFirst's Jonathan Brookes (spotted here hiding behind a tree), leads another successful T&G Envy field walk.

Our horticultural consultants discuss the effects of extreme weather events - hot days, flooding and hail - all which we've seen since the beginning of October, in the latest In Brief Global newsletter. View here: bit.ly/33y9EPW

Great finish to Future Orchards northern loop in Shepparton. Our Hort Consultant, Nic Finger has enjoyed speaking with Rob Blakey (@Stemilt), Rose Daniel (@applesnpearsAU) and Angus Hogan (@SwarmFarm). A big thank you to all local front line advisors, growers & industry @Hort_Au.

Bloom is coming to a close in Hawke's Bay. One of our horticulture consultants took this shot of a hard working bee last week in some Piqa Boo (PremP009) flowers.