Grower resources

Black Grass pic

Black-grass management guide for New Zealand growers

Acknowledgement:
Author and content: Foundation for Arable Research - Blackgrass management guide for NZ growers.

PDF, 675 KB.

EJI5502

Covered Crop Energy Transition Plan Comparison Report

A comparison of six different Energy Transition Plans which provides a technical and financial summary of the different technologies available to growers for reducing their energy demand and for fuel switching

PDF, 491 KB.

2024 09 05 Boilers

DIY Emissions Reduction Plan Templates

Templates for emission reduction plans are available on the EECA website, under the tab DIY Emissions Plan. These are designed to assist with the creation of an emissions reduction plan. Growers with more than 500 Tonnes of CO2 emissions need to have started a plan by 26 January 2025. For more information, contact ellery.peters@freshvegetables.co.nz.

TW HortNZ 7379

Energy efficiency for growers – technology scan

This ‘innovative technology for transition to a low-carbon greenhouse industry’ technology scan gives a comprehensive overview from the Dutch tomato industry.

PDF, 5.1 MB.

Picture1

Energy reduction tools and resources

EECA has created a webpage in collaboration with industry experts with tools and resources available for growers to reduce their energy demand, driving down energy related costs.

Picture1

Energy reduction videos and case studies

Videos from the covered crops energy reduction workshop, and videos of real life case studies in Christchurch of these technologies working in covered cropping applications.

G 2 Pauls Tomatoes2 v2

Energy Transition and Decarbonisation in Greenhouses, by Elly Nederhoff

A summary by Elly Nederhoff of her presentation on energy reduction in greenhouses given at the 2023 Horticulture Conference held in Christchurch in August 2023.

PDF, 1.3 MB.

2024 03 14 FAW photo

Fall Armyworm (FAW)

Read the latest (17 April 2025) FAW update.

DOCX, 340 KB.

asparagus packhouse

FAQ Labour Series No. 1

Geoff Lewis of Lewis Farms, one of the founders of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, is well-placed to provide a perspective on the scheme as well as to explain it. What follows is Geoff’s response to some FAQs (frequency asked questions).

PDF, 1.4 MB.

DSC 4411 2

FAQ Labour Series No. 2

This FAQ explains changes to the RSE scheme and answers questions around vehicle use, and health and safety.

PDF, 4.3 MB.

Outdoor crops 2

General principles for good management practices for growers using biopesticides (Dec 2021)

Biopesticides guidelines.
Acknowledgement: Author and Content: A Lighter Touch – Biopesticides good management practice 2021

PDF, 772 KB.

2024 09 23 Greenhouse scene

Greenhouse Energy Challenges

Why the industry is important, what is holding it back, and what the solutions are.

PDF, 107 KB.

NZ Gourmet Pukekohe Glasshouse 1

Greenhouse energy efficiency 2022

Reducing energy use for greenhouse climate control toward decarbonisation of covered crops in New Zealand
Growers of covered crops in the Netherlands have been addressing the energy challenge for over a decade, and developed innovative glasshouse control technology and practices.

Ivan Miller happily picking cherries in Cromwell 550x310px

Labour FAQ No 3

In this issue we cover topics such as RSE training, changes to the AEWV English Language Requirements, a new staff retention toolkit, apprenticeships and engaging with MSD.

PDF, 1.3 MB.

pic Melons 650 x 450

Melon Food Safety Production and Packing Advisory

Code of Practice

PDF, 665 KB.

2024 03 25 Boilers

New industrial process heat consent requirements affecting covered crop growers

Changes to the national direction for greenhouse gas emissions from industrial process heat have been introduced. These changes will affect covered crop growers with heating systems that emit more than 500T of CO2 per year.

Covered crops

On farm biosecurity manual - covered crops

PDF, 3.6 MB.

Outdoor crops 2

On farm biosecurity manual - outdoor crops

PDF, 4.4 MB.

EJI5628

PSTVd CoP March 2023

Code of Practice for the Management of Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid (PSTVd) in Greenhouse Crops.

PDF, 267 KB.

TW HortNZ 7379

Reducing Energy Emissions: Covered Cropping Decision Tree

A decision matrix designed to help growers choose the best energy reduction methods for them. Use the matrix to assist in making an informed decision about the feasibility of thermal screens, twin-skin plastic walls and dehumidifiers.

PDF, 3.2 MB.

2024 02 29 Beehive

Temporary restrictions on chlorthal-dimethyl/DCPA weedkiller

On 13 September 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced temporary restrictions on the use of weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl.

DOCX, 21 KB.

2024 09 02 Oil (1)

Waste oil as a fuel source and a forecast on supply

This study provides information on used oil as a fuel source. Waste oil has become a popular fuel source for covered crop growers. Because of this, it is important to understand how the supply of waste oil will change over the next 30 years.

PDF, 365 KB.

Pest Fact Sheets

These fact sheets are to help vegetable growers and staff involved in crop monitoring recognise and monitor exotic pests of concern to our industry.

2026 09 10 Chilli thrips

Chilli thrips (Sept 2026)

PDF, 726 KB.

2026 09 10 Tomato torrado

Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) Sept 2026

PDF, 652 KB.

2026 09 10 Tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta 5432149

Tomato leafminer Sept 2026

PDF, 789 KB.

2026 09 10 pstvd potatoes elongated 1518013322849 eng

Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) Sept 2026

PDF, 763 KB.

2026 09 10 Tomato yellow leaf

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and Tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV) Sept 2026

PDF, 835 KB.

2026 09 10 Tomato pinworm

Tomato pinworm Sept 2026

PDF, 786 KB.

2026 09 10 ToBRFV mature fruit

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) Sept 2026

PDF, 877 KB.

Lettuce 2

Bacterial diseases of lettuce

PDF, 250 KB.

Banded Cucumber Beetle Diabrotica balteata LeConte Stock photo 1

Banded Cucumber Beetle (updated Sept 2026)

PDF, 741 KB.

Young Brocolli

Beneficial insects in New Zealand brassica crops

PDF, 379 KB.

Lettuce 1

Beneficial insects in New Zealand lettuce crops

PDF, 333 KB.

Black Bean Aphid on potato plant leaf Potatoes NZ (1)

Black Bean Aphid (updated Sept 2026)

PDF, 775 KB.

Capsicum Chlorosis Virus CaCV Hawaii Edu

Capsicum Chlorosis Virus (CaCV) updated Sept 2026

PDF, 783 KB.

Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus CGMMV Alberta University CA

Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) updated Sept 2026

PDF, 771 KB.

Cucurbit Beetle Diabrotica speciossa Stock photo 1

Cucurbit Beetle (updated Sept 2026)

PDF, 754 KB.

Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus Crinivirus CYSDV c Seminis Australia

Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus (CYSDV) Updated Sept 2026

PDF, 824 KB.

Fall Army Worm Spodoptera frugiperda Stock Photo

Fall Armyworm

PDF, 137 KB.

Potato flea beetle epitrix spp Stock photo 1

Flea Beetles (updated Sept 2026)

PDF, 847 KB.

Lettuce 2

Lettuce downy mildew

PDF, 566 KB.

VNZ Fact Sheet 17 pic PepMV v2

Pepino Mosaic Virus (PepMV) updated Sept 2026

PDF, 752 KB.

2024 04 02 Broccoli IPM workshops

Pest aphids in New Zealand brassica crops

PDF, 608 KB.

Broccoli 2

Pest caterpillars in New Zealand brassica crops

PDF, 682 KB.

VNZI priority pest review for vegetables

Priority pest review for vegetables - Sept 2023

PDF, 602 KB.

Red Spider Mite Tetranychus evansi Stock photo 2

Red Spider Mite (Sept 2026)

PDF, 771 KB.

Root Knot nematode Stock photo 1

Root Knot Nemotode

PDF, 153 KB.

2024 07 18 Lettuce drop caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as influenced by compost amendment

Sclerotinia drop

PDF, 907 KB.

Adult male swede midge on canola flowers c Canola Council Canada

Swede Midge

PDF, 124 KB.

Sweet Potato Weevil Cylas formicarius Stock photo 1

Sweet Potato Weevil

PDF, 130 KB.

Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus lineloaris c Katja Schulz

Tarnished Plant Bug (updated Sept 2026)

PDF, 731 KB.

Leaf miner damage Stock photo 1

Vegetable Leaf Miners (Sept 2026)

PDF, 893 KB.

RT CTR for simultaneous detection of pepper chat fruit viroid c Springer

Viroids (Sept 2026)

PDF, 869 KB.

Western Corn Rootworm Diabrotica virgifera subsp.virgifera Stock photo 1

Western Corn Rootworm

PDF, 125 KB.