The Te Ahikawariki spring summit, held in Pukekohe in early September, showcased a strong line-up of applied research that will deliver practical outcomes for New Zealand's vegetable growers. The summit highlighted Te Ahikawariki's core mission: connecting growers with the latest research in a commercial context.
Across the day, speakers presented findings from pest and disease trials, soil and nutrient management projects, and crop improvement studies – each with a clear focus on profitability, sustainability and resilience.
Feedback from the event was positive, with attendees rating the event 8.5 out of 10 in terms of satisfaction. Many participants commented on the variety of topics that were covered, and how they got value out of topics that they would not normally encounter. One hundred percent of responders said they would recommend this event to others in the industry.
Chris Lambert (Fruitfed Supplies) kicked off with results from trials comparing traditional bucket traps with AI-enabled ScoutLabs smart traps for corn earworm (Helicoverpa armigera). The smart traps provided pest counts three days earlier than conventional methods. This timeliness means growers can act sooner, often with softer insecticides such as Bt. With interest already building among growers, this technology is now being expanded to target potato tuber moth.
Read more at Vegetables New Zealand
