21 Case Studies of innovation and growth in Horticulture

		1. The Exciting Story of Zespri How the combined and focused vision and efforts of scientists, growers and Zespri International brought about a remarkable and innovative scientific and commercial success story. More

		2. The Kiwfruit revolution An eco-friendly orchard management system pays big dividends. A unique and innovative partnership between the kiwifruit industry and HortResearch developed an integrated pest management (IPM) programme. Since 1997 100% of kiwifruit exported from New Zealand has been produced by growers using this 'KiwiGreen'.eco-friendly production system More

		3. Jazz - An Apple Innovation The capacity for innovation within the New Zealand apple industry continues with the exciting new variety Jazz™ resulting from crossing of Braeburn with Royal Gala. More

		4. Scientific Tree Management New Zealand's climate and soils are well adapted to apple production, but the country's consistent performance as a top producer must be credited in part to (i) the technology and management skills of the orchardists and (ii) the underlying science. The tree management systems used in New Zealand's apple orchards today are testament to the continual innovation of both science and industry: More

		5. Integrated Fruit Production During the last decade large supermarket customers have begun to reflect the concerns of the consumers who seek 'safe' and 'environmentally grown' fruit, that is fruit grown in a recognised, integrated fruit production (IFP) system. These market signals prompted New Zealand orchardists to implement approved production systems that can be audited and which complement the market differentiation already established through growing new apple varieties with excellent eating qualities. More

		6. DNA and Pest Management Disease management technologies together with post harvest management and export fruit inspection systems combine to avoid rejection of fruit as a biosecurity risk in the market. More

		7. The Worlds Best Hops How a partnership between industry and science provided a sustainable production base for a niche export industry. The use of triploid varieties to produce seedless hops is an excellent example of smart botanical innovation. More

		8. A Tool for Pesticide Efficacy The GROWSAFE® gives Horticultural managers a decision support tool that will help them determine which pesticides are best suited to their crops, without downgrading the soil and water environment. Other criteria such as price, efficacy and food safety can be factored into the purchase decision and choice of agrichemicals to use on their properties. More

		9. Integrated Pest Managment Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technology reduces the applications of agrichemicals by spraying only when prescribed threshold numbers of pests are exceeded on the crop, minimises the risk of the target pest adapting to the sprays, uses pesticides that will not harm the natural predators of the target pests and monitors the presence of pests and diseases on the crops. More

		10. World leadership in produce grading and handling Using a wide range of skills including those in electronics, optics, optoelectronics, computer, software, industrial robotics, mechanical engineering New Zealand equipment makers are leading the world in produce grading and handling. More

		11. Supply Chains of Excellence Applying intelligence and science to supply chain processes has led to innovative uses of information technology, strategic long-term alliances have developed with collaborative partners, total integration of processes from grower to consumer, partner businesses have been re-engineered to optimise customer service and build profitability, systems have been developed to rapidly share information among partners within the supply chain, smart outsourcing of non-essential core businesses has assisted in reducing costs and improving services More

		12. Sauvignon Blanc - World Class How a struggling sector of New Zealand's fruit industry became globally competitive in what is probably the most demanding of all products. The enormously successful development of New Zealand as a front runner for delivering to the world a new taste sensation in wine, the 'New World' wonder of Sauvignon Blanc. More

		13. Blueberry - Simply the Best Science and industry partners assembled and improved the plant resources for a new industry. The New Zealand team of scientists and industry partners decided that they could produce blueberry cultivars with better attributes than those imported from USA. More

		14 The Lilies of the Field Calla lilies have become New Zealand's second most important export flower crop. This success has been built on the exciting range of coloured callas that have been produced for New Zealand gardens by a persistent lineage of New Zealand hybridisers at work since the 1930s. More

		15. AspireNZ put action into Asparagus Growers simply enter their field readings and other data into the internet based system, the calculations are automatically processed back in New Zealand and the recommendations for harvesting, irrigation etc., are fed back to the growers via the internet. AspireNZ tells growers the level of 'fuel' in the carbohydrate reserves 'tank', and from that to determine the optimum length of the late season asparagus harvest period when prices are usually high. AspireNZ also enables growers to make informed management decisions to extend the productive life of the crop by 3 years or more. More

		16. New Zealand Kobocha – worth millions in Japan and elsewhere Sustained marketing leads to sales growth. Innovative aspects of the campaign were (i) point-of-sale material promoting the vegetable for use in an entrée, mains and dessert, (ii) a web site that receives over 3,500 hits per day, (iii) a hugely successful step to employ New Zealand students living in Japan for instore promotion as 'Kobocha Kids'. More

		17. The true miracle food - Onions And New Zealand growers have an edge. With only 30 calories per serving, onions have sodium, fat, are cholesterol free, and provide dietary fibre, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and other key nutrients. They have naturally occurring organosulphur compounds linked to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Research indicate that phytochemicals in onions, including antioxidants and sulphur compounds may result in a number of health benefits from cancer protection and heart disease protection through to a reduction in symptoms of osteoporosis, asthma and diabetes. More

		18. Health Enhancing Products from New Zealand plants New Zealand's reputation continues to grow internationally as a source of clean and green raw materials, including customised high-tech ingredients that are sold to nutritional manufacturers around the world. New Zealand has moved on these trends towards health-related products, convenience products and value-added products. There is a significant growth potential for new and novel fruit varieties meeting these demands. More

		19. Convenience Foods and the revolution in produce marketing Recognised by TIME magazine (29 Nov. 2004) as being one of the world's most amazing inventions in 2004, ripeSense™ is the world's first intelligent ripeness indicator label. More

		20. Novel and Gourmet Foods New Zealand has a remarkable diversity in its food production and increasingly notable gourmet foods are being identified and grown for New Zealand and world markets. More

		21. Trends that impact New Zealand's horticultural food exports The nine important trends that scientists, producers and exporters must consider if New Zealand is to maintain its very successful level of fruit and vegetable exports. More