Business South March 2021

76 | M A Orchards PRODUCTION Climate key to growing Honeycrisp M A Orchards now comprises five separate orchards which total 180,000 trees producing nearly 4,000 tonnes annually. S outh Canterbury’s climate was the ulti- mate crunch when it came to choosing the perfect global location outside of North America for growing Honeycrisp apples. M A Orchards, located at Levels just north of Timaru which is one of New Zealand’s few export growers of Honeycrisp, planted its first Honeycrisp orchard in 2012. General manager Morten Tonder says Hon- eycrisp need a colder climate to develop their texture and flavour, which, globally, makes Timaru an ideal location. Honeycrisp apples were originally devel- oped at the University of Minnesota and released to the North American market in 1991. Since then they have become extremely popular due to their crunch and balance of sweetness and acidity. The owner of the intellectual property rights of Honeycrisp, Bruce Allen, owns a large Hon- eycrisp orchard and packing operation in the west coast of the United States and is a major shareholder in M A Orchards. “His philosophy was to be able to supply Honeycrisp in the US all year round,” Morten says. About 30 hectares of the Levels orchard was originally planted, with another 50 hectares added; M A Orchards now comprises five separate orchards which total 180,000 trees producing nearly 4,000 tonnes annually. The company is currently in the process of converting to organic production through BioGro Certification, started in 2017, with different orchards in different stages of con- version. By 2022 all its orchards will be fully certified organic. Russell Fredric The harvest, undertaken from late February to late March, is extremely intensive involving 400 to 450 seasonal workers, supported by about 22 permanent staff. ‘It’s a challenge, but it’s exciting.” The company is looking at the possibility of diversifying into other apple varieties in order to broaden the harvest window. M A Orchard’s core workforce usually comprises RSE workers who have an excellent attitude, are reliable and have a strong work ethos. “We take as many Kiwi’s and backpack- ers as we can but the backbone for us is RSE’s which is Pacific Islander’s. “Normally we would be able to harvest our crop with 350 people but because we can’t get the normal volume of RSE’s we would need to have 450 so that’s a big change. M A Orchards is hoping to obtain some of the 2000 RSE workers being allowed into New Zealand under Covid-19 restrictions. “It would fast-track some of the picking because these are experienced workers; this job in the orchard is not for everyone.” Converting to organic production is a chal- lenging but exciting change, Morten says. “I would see more orchards going that way if possible, if fits really well with this variety. All of our orchards will be organic from next year; 50% of our crop will be certified organic in this coming harvest.” As well as avoiding synthetic and soluble fertilisers, organic horticulture requires the orchards to be constantly mowed in rotation during the season, as well as brush cutting, and other trellis work where required. MA Orchards 03 687 4127 For all your Tractor and Machinery Sales / Service Requirements 95 Racecourse Road, Washdyke, Timaru Power Farming Timaru Ltd are proud to support 0800 683 900 or 03 683 9004 sales@timaruhire.co.nz www.timaruhire.co.nz 8 Doncaster St, Washdyke, Timaru Proud to support MAOrchards with their hiring requirements • Access Equipment • Trucks & Tractors • Excavators • Loaders • Trailers • Temporary Fencing • Portable Toilets • Sca olding • Power Tools ...and much more! is our business TRANSPORT FREEPHONE 0800 TEMUKA (0800 836 852) Phone: 03 615 9500 Fax: 03 615 9501 Email: curtainsiders@temukatransport.co.nz You can count on our professional and reliable services