Earning $100,000+ per hectare?

After five years as a specialist provider of liquid fertilizers to the kiwifruit industry, Wormtech NZ Ltd is now in a position to demonstrate reliable evidence from growers of better returns. 

 “We now have a few hundred growers using Wormtech Liquid and seeing good results.” Says Greg Walker of Wormtech.  “One example is Ian Weir, the top OGR performer at Eastpack last year.“

“I have been using Wormtech Liquid for the last three seasons” says Ian. “Their Early Start programme combined with high fertilizer inputs plus other foliar sprays helped me achieve $125,000/ha OGR (gross) for 2004 and we are currently on target to repeat this for 2005.”

According to Greg, Ian has first class canopy management, and is very scientific in his approach to plant nutrition.  His orchard in Paengaroa is also well placed to produce early fruit, and Ian received a substantial Kiwistart payment in 2004.  “Without our help, he would no doubt have done well,” says Greg, “But with the consistent application of Wormtech Liquid he has done brilliantly.” 

WORD IS SPREADING

Ian’s result, and others like it, has started to be noticed in the industry.  Increasingly large disparities in orchard returns are focusing attention more and more on orchard management practices, says Greg.  “It is great to see the packhouses acting as catalysts for innovation and continuous improvement in productivity and profitability.”

As an example he cites the comment from Eastpack General Manager Tony Hawken, about Ian’s result (note 1):

“This particular orchardist not only had early fruit, but had large size, high dry matter and over 12,500 trays per hectare. We can all learn from such innovative growers.”

INFO PACK AVAILABLE

Whilst a number of factors must come together to produce a good result, Wormtech Liquid is one.  Growers interested to know just what Ian has been doing can now obtain a copy of Wormtech’s Early Start Information Pack, which includes the Weir case study, outlines the programme used by Ian, and answers most questions about Wormtech Liquid.

“Trial results and input from growers over the years have helped us to refine the Wormtech Liquid application programmes which we recommend to kiwifruit growers.  Early Start is the most popular of these, as it fits well with most growers’ objectives.  Also of interest to new users of Wormtech Liquid will be our Kick Start programme, which provides a catch-up and preparation for next season, and starts in late March/early April.”

But don’t take Greg’s word for it.  Grower Ian Weir is convinced and enthusiastic about Wormtech Liquid, and in fact is considering boosting his applications to see how far it can take him.  According to Ian, “If you are looking at increasing your orchard’s performance and profits next year, talk to Wormtech today.”

The Wormtech Early Start Info Pack (including the Weir case study, an outline of the programme used by Ian, and FAQ about Wormtech Liquid) is available by phoning 0800 007 877, emailing wormtechnz@xtra.co.nz or visiting the Wormtech website at www.wormtechnz.co.nz.

Note 1: From Introduction to Eastpack Zespri Green personalized orchard performance report 2004.