Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) Tool Workshop Series - Pukekohe and Online

Join a series of free hands-on workshops designed to help you learn or further enhance use of the SVS decisions support tool. This tool supports decision-making in real-world cropping situations.

These workshops build on each other across the season - from getting started, through to applying, reviewing, and improving your approach. A soil nitrogen testing service will be available free of charge for participants.

Learning about the SVS tool will help growers meet farm planning requirements. 

Click here to the HortNZ website to find out more and register. 

Dates 

Workshop 1 - Getting started with SVS

Pukekohe and online: Tuesday, 21 July 2026 | 8.30-10.30am Te Ahikawariki Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence (VICE), 49 Cronin Road, Pukekohe

Horowhenua: Tuesday, 4 August 2026 | 12 noon (lunch), 12.30-2.30pm Levin Library, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-po, 10 Bath Street, Levin (Rimu Room)

Learn how to use the SVS Tool with real examples of live input. Bring your laptop.

Before you attend:

• Register and log into the SVS Tool (required). Go to www.svstool.co.nz
• Be ready to follow along and input data.

Workshop 2 - Applying SVS to your crops

Pukekohe and online: Tuesday, 22 September 2026 | 8.30-10.30am

Horowhenua: Thursday, 3 September 2026 | 12 noon (lunch), 12.30-2.30pm

Bring your own crop details and soil nitrogen tests and start building your own crop nitrogen budget. Bring your laptop.

Before you attend:

• Have explored the SVS Tool
• Bring crop details to input (planting and harvest dates, target yield, N fert plan, soil N tests).

Workshop 3 - End of season review and learnings

Pukekohe and online: Tuesday, 20 April 2027 | Time 8.30-10.30am

Horowhenua: Thursday, 29 April 2027 | 12 noon (lunch), 12.30-2.30pm

Review how your crops performed and share insights with the group.

Before you attend:

• Have entered and tracked at least one crop in the SVS Tool
• Be ready to share learning, results and challenges.

Workshop 4 - Planning for next season

Pukekohe and online: Tuesday, 20 July 2027 | Time 8.30-10.30am

Horowhenua: Thursday, 29 July 2027 | 12 noon (lunch), 12.30-2.30pm

Use your learnings to plan and improve for the next season.

Before you attend:

• Gather key learnings from your season
• Be ready to plan for future crops using the SVS Tool
• Consider ideas for comparison trials (e.g. split paddocks, different nutrient approaches).