By Steven Rink The 2026 Young Grower of the Year competition was a proud moment for the potato industry, with potato professionals taking both first and second place. James Blair, an Agronomist with AS Wilcox, was crowned Young Grower of the Year, while Amber Davy, Quality and Field Manager with seed potato supplier Eurogrow, finished…
With El Niño conditions expected to influence New Zealand’s weather this season, now is a good time for potato growers to take a look around the farm and make sure everything is prepared for whatever spring and summer may bring. What is El Niño? El Niño is a natural climate pattern that occurs when ocean…
Potatoes New Zealand is celebrating the outstanding success of two rising stars from the potato industry, with James Blair of A S Wilcox crowned the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and Amber Davy of Eurogrow Potatoes named Runner Up and winner of the Innovation Award. The Young Grower of the Year competition showcases the…
Protecting Your Farm, Crop and Business A Biosecurity Planning Manual is a practical document that outlines how you manage your potato growing operation and how you would respond if a pest or disease outbreak occurred. It captures the systems, processes and safeguards you have in place to reduce biosecurity risks and protect your business. Every…
By Molly Green August brought some colder weather and the looming El Nino starts to take hold of the country as we start to dip our toes into spring. The Youth Council members have continued to attend many industry events and fly the Youth Council flag! The Agronomy Summit held in Pukekohe was a well…
Join a series of free hands on workshops designed to help you learn or further enhance your use of the SVS decisions support tool. This tool supports decision-making in real world cropping situations. These workshops build on each other across the season – from getting started, through to applying, reviewing, and improving your approach. A…
Potatoes New Zealand proudly congratulates Peter Reynolds on being awarded the prestigious Horticulture New Zealand Bledisloe Cup, recognising a lifetime of outstanding service and contribution to New Zealand horticulture. Widely respected across the horticultural sector, Peter has dedicated his life to farming, growers, family and community. His passion for the land, commitment to people, and…
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects birds. However, it can also spread to mammals – including people. There are 2 main types of avian influenza: What we need to know about HS bird flu H5 bird flu can infect a much broader range of wild…
Whether they’re eaten straight from the paper, tucked into buttered bread or drowned in tomato sauce, hot chips remain one of New Zealand’s most-loved comfort foods. Now, new nationwide research has revealed exactly how Kiwis like to enjoy them – with a simple sprinkle of salt coming out on top. Research commissioned by Potatoes New…
More than 100 MPs, government officials, growers and other vegetable industry participants attended the launch of the New Zealand Vegetable Industry Manifesto at the second, Vegetable Industry Showcase held at Parliament on 30 June. ‘The New Zealand commercial vegetable sector is a $1.1 billion industry that provides New Zealanders and export markets with healthy and…