First Wormtech Grower Survey

The results of the first annual survey of kiwifruit growers who use Wormtech Liquid have just been released. 

But beware: only three years data have been put together to date (as the number of users was small prior to that) and only 50 growers were included in the survey, less for prior years’ data.  Bearing that in mind, some tentative observations could be made.

Numbers

The survey data suggests, among other things, an apparent benefit from using the product over a number of seasons.  From first year to third year of use, both average fruit size and average pick week improved, whilst average trays per hectare are largely unchanged. 

The sample includes a range of Bay of Plenty orchards, fairly typical of the region, but with a slightly lower than average altitude at 49m above sea level.  This may explain the early average pick week. 

All growers in the survey are producing Green kiwifruit and none are organic (although Wormtech has both Gold and organic customers).  Application programmes vary according to the wishes of the growers, some using Earlyplan, some using only later spring and summer foliar applications.

Words

Customer quotes over the years include the following:

“Having been involved in the kiwifruit industry for over 30 years, I have never before seen a foliar product that has such a noticeable benefit to general vine management” Dave Baldwin, No 3 Rd, Te Puke, 2000

“It’s been a cold season so far, and yet these vines have good colour, decent firm leaves and fat flower buds.  Look at the grass – I’ve never had to mow it so blooming much!” Scott Macintosh, Vine/Crop manager, Paengaroa, October 2002.

 “With all things being fair and equal we showed clear evidence of a size increase gained through the use of Wormtech Liquid as a foliar application” Mark Kirkham, orchard manager, Katikati, 2002.

 “We put a lot into the orchard, but I believe it is the Wormtech Liquid in particular that gets me into Kiwistart” Peter Bennett, Te Puke, 2005

Director Greg Walker says “The numerical results are encouraging, and mostly consistent with the comments we have heard from customers over the years.  It also makes sense with kiwifruit that where there is a gain, it will take two seasons or more to show fully.    

“However the results need to be treated with caution at this stage due to the limits of the data.  So many other factors come into play from season to season.

“Sceptics might say that Wormtech growers get good results because they are good growers, not because they use Wormtech Liquid.  Maybe that is true.  Or maybe they use Wormtech Liquid because they are good growers!

“But seriously, we are doing this survey because every year we will have more data and so we will be able to isolate more factors and draw more specific and reliable conclusions.”