The TomatoesNZ mini conference took place in Pukekohe (and online) 8th August 2024. This was a chance for growers and other industry interested people to come together to discuss topics that are important. The focus was seed imports and hygiene and the use of biologicals as part of an Integrated Pest Management guide, with updates from the TNZ / A Lighter Touch trials.

The presentations are available below. A copy of the recordings will be made available here in due course.

TomatoesNZ would like to thank all of the presenters for their time which they gave freely:

James Bretram from Rijk Zwaan

Cressida Patrick from NZ Seed and Grain Association

Lex Dillon on behalf of the TNZ/ALT trial

Jasper Verhoeven from Royal Brinkman

Some key messages are below:

We all want to keep viruses out of NZ. To do this....

Only buy seed from reputable seed companies

If you see seed for sale (online or in retailers), or you know of anyone growing crops, commercially or for their own use, that isn't from a reputable seed company, please report them to MPI or TomatoesNZ

Review your greenhouse hygiene plan urgently

Keep visitors to a minimum, make sure anyone entering your greenhouse wears coveralls

Staff should have dedicated work clothes. Personal possessions should be left outside the greenhouse

For Integrated Pest Management tips and tricks, see here