Wormtech enters Marlborough
        

Leading foliar feed and soil conditioning firm Wormtech NZ Ltd has announced that it has entered the Marlborough region and is promoting its products to local growers.

Boyd Turner

“We have been focused on the kiwifruit industry in the Bay of Plenty for most of the company’s life, but for grapes, Marlborough is the place to be” said director Greg Walker in Whakatane today.  “A fact-finding mission to Blenheim in November found considerable interest in our products among grape producers.  On the basis of that we have appointed a local business development manager, Boyd Turner, who started in December.” Wormtech’s principal product is an organic foliar spray based on quality matured vermicast (‘worm poo’).  This is used extensively by kiwifruit growers, who report earlier ripening, stronger leaves, bigger fruit and other benefits.

“Kiwifruit and grape vines are both vigorous, and their growers face many of the same issues in achieving a balanced plant and a quality crop.  We thought our experience could help.  An independent trial of Wormtech foliar spray on botrytis in persimmons also showed promising results as a bio-fungicide compared to well-known brands, and this was another catalyst for talking to grape growers” said Greg.

Boyd Turner is a long time Blenheim resident and worked at Montana for several years before travelling overseas with wife Karen from 1999 until November last year.  Having spent the last two years living and working in central London, the couple have returned to Blenheim to stay.

“To be perfectly honest, it is very early days for Wormtech here, although the signs are promising” said Boyd.   “We’ve just come back from a visit to the operation in Whakatane, and we’re full of ideas.  Our initial aim is to arrange for a number of field trials this season with growers operating in a range of conditions.  We hope to see good results in fungal defence and general vine health, in which case we will look at getting those results validated scientifically and gear up for a full launch into the market.  Product will be supplied from Wormtech’s production facility at Whakatane, but with sufficient demand we may commence production here to reduce freight costs.

“But that is all down the track, and for now we are just happy to be here and excited about the future” said Boyd.