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Bird damage is one of the most significant problems for Tasmanian cherry growers, and virtually all of the cherry orchards we saw had bird netting covering them. |
Tim Reid, an innovative cherry grower in Tasmania, is using both bird netting and rain covers on his crop. Reid notes that the main reason he can afford this approach is because of the high export prices he gets from shipping cherries to Japan. |
Many cherry growers in Tasmania and New Zealand use the KGB (Kim Green Bush) training system, a version of the Spanish bush modified by renowned local horticulturist Kim Green. |
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Kevin Poulin, a grower near Queenstow, NZ, is growing about a half-acre of his cherry crop in hydroponic bags. This approach allows Poulin to manipulate bloom time and avoid the danger of spring disease and frost problems. |
The vineyard and winery market in New Zealand is expanding rapidly, which is also pushing up land prices in many areas. |
While thinning apples at Waimea Nurseries, one crew member soon found herself ably assisted by two members of our tour: Bill Dodd (left) from Ohio and Tim Welch (right) from Washington. |
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Nelson, NZ, grower Richard Hoddy is using Extenday, a reflective fabric that directs sunlight into the lower part of the tree canopy, to harvest an earlier crop in many blocks of his orchard. |
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