Join our Winter “Lunch & Learn” Webinar Series!
Each week, we’ll share practical insights from the latest Summerfruit NZ research and trials – designed to support on-orchard decision making and season readiness.
Tune in every Thursday at 12.30pm.
Click here to join the webinars
Webinar Schedule
2 July | Save time & money using the Summerfruit NZ Weather & Disease Portal
Mike Barley (Hort Plus)
Free member access to Botrytis, Leaf Rust, & Brown Rot models. Chill Units Calculator. Demo of portal for optimised production.
9 July | How to use ET for irrigation decision-making across different canopy types
Andrew Curtis (Primary Insight)
How to use ET across six distinct cherry canopy types. Crop coefficients calculated; applying findings for daily decisions.
16 July | Improved rootstocks for stonefruit: USA research trip report
Jill Stanley (BSI)
Trip report from Eastern USA pear production areas & research facilities.
23 July | Can plant growth regulators improve sweet cherry quality?
Claire Scholefield (BSI)
Summary of two-year Australian trials (ABA & NAA) on fruit size, firmness, SSC, colour, and cracking.
30 July | Artificial pollination in cherries - collecting viable pollen and trialing application in-field
Melissa de Brousal (BSI) & Blair/Sam
Melissa led trials on pollen collection & refining practice. Best practices for collecting & on-orchard application.
6 August | Biofungicides: Peach Brownrot
Phil Elmer & Peter Wood (BSI)
Results from lab & field experiments on biofungicide efficacy for peach brown rot.
13 August | A Lighter Touch (ALT) – Future-proofing crop protection: Building and protecting the grower toolbox
Bruno Gamiotel (ALT)
Independent data on biopesticides & synthetic solutions for minor crops; focus on Resistance Management (RM) stewardship.
20 August | UVC for disease control on cherries
Virginia Maroni & Tim Jones
Results from field testing UVC system powered by autonomous electric vehicle at 45 South.
27 August | Controlling wood-invading pathogens
Virginia Maroni & Hue Nguyen
Cherry Canker Management: Best Practice to reduce cankers and tree mortality. Update from Hue Nguyen’s Master’s on pathogen epidemiology.
Completed Webinars
25 June | A rising tide lifts all boats - a review of summerfruit maturity at retail
Mark Loefen (Delytics)
Results from nectarine, cherry and apricot pilot monitoring during the 2025/26 season. Discussion, including NZ/Australia repeat purchase context.