We are delighted to have Alex on board, with her strong background in nutrient management and a focus on sustainable production systems.

The local farms are part of the second year of our “Best Management Practice of Nitrates in Process Cropping” project funded by MPI through the Sustainable Farming Fund, with co-funding and support from Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Kraft-Heinz Watties and McCain Foods. As with everyone else, the wet spring has delayed many plantings, but we have six trials established, with two more green bean crops to be planted in January.

We began an extension to our “Future Proofing Vegetable Production” project in July. That is making a series of online learning resources, based on the lessons from the Future Proofing Vegetable Production work in Gisborne and Horowhenua. Alex stars in two new videos, which can be viewed on our new-look website.

Alex is also managing a new trial that will be announced shortly. A lot of preliminary work behind the scenes and a huge amount of baseline sampling in the field has kept everyone very busy for the last few months.

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The 2022 Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 June at the Green Shed at the LandWISE MicroFarm, 21 Ruahapia Rd, Waipatu, Hastings. The AGM will be accompanied by a free seminar with presentations covering current and future projects and topics of interest. The meeting begins with a cup of tea at 3:00 PM.

RSVP

Presentations

Presence of Herbicide Resistant Weeds in New Zealand – Chris Buddenhagen, AgResearch

As part of the MBIE AgResearch Herbicide Resistance Management programme, Chris and colleagues have undertaken a number of surveys of farms and vineyards in across New Zealand. Over the 2021-2022 season, weed seed samples were collected across the North Island and tested for signs of resistance. Chris will give an update, and tell us how resistance is appearing.

Nitrate Trials in Process Vegetable and Asparagus Crops – Dan Bloomer, LandWISE

Over the 2021-202 season we have monitored nitrogen applications to a range of process crops in Hastings, and asparagus crops across the country. The aim is to validate current industry recommendations in view of increasing costs and regulatory pressures.

Regenerative Cropping at the MicroFarm – David France, Future Farming Trust

LandWISE and the Hawke’s Bay Future Farming Trust are collaborating to compare the effects of conventional and regenerative practices on soil carbon and health. This proposed six-year project will see replicated trials with large plots established at the LandWISE MicroFarm, and a huge amount of monitoring!

AGM Matters

Financial Report

Key results to be presented at the meeting

Board Positions

John Evans and John van der Linden are due to retire by rotation at the AGM. John Evans has indicated he is keen to serve one more term, including continuing as Chair in the immediate future. He has been nominated by Simon Wilcox, seconded by John van der Linden.

John van der Linden is choosing to step down as he has a high work load and considerable involvement in Young Grapegrower of the Year, and the Hawke’s Bay Future Farming Trust. John has nominated Alex Dickson to replace him as Industry Representative – seconded by Simon White. There is a short bio for Alex below.

Subscriptions

The Board is not recommending a change to Annual Subscription rates. We were extremely tardy getting invoices out again, but are pleased many responded promptly. If you haven’t yet paid, we’d appreciate your attention ASAP. If you haven’t received an invoice, please let us know info@landwise.org.nz.

Alex Dickson

Board nominee, Alex Dickson completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Agricultural Science, at Massey University, in which time she spent 12 months studying overseas at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

Alex has been working for Ballance for 4.5 years, starting as an intern in Whangarei at the end of 2017. She moved to Hawke’s Bay in August 2018 and worked as a Nutrient Specialist in the pastoral sector for a little over 3 years, before moving into the East Coast Horticulture and Arable Specialist role in October 2021.

Alex is currently working towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management. Originally from Feilding, she purchased a house in sunny Hastings at the end of last year. In her spare time she enjoys netball, gardening and running.

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