When Keith Paterson saw his first broccoli crop at the Pukekohe Research and Demonstration Farm manage a significant aphid outbreak without a single insecticide spray, it challenged everything the older generation had taught him about pest control.
“I was brought up with the theory that if you see a bug, bomb it—biologicals were just snake oil,” says Paterson, who grows lettuce and brassicas. “But actually seeing these crops grow just on biologicals was definitely an eye-opener.”
Paterson is one of several vegetable growers who have participated in Vegetables NZ’s Integrated Pest Management workshops at the demonstration farm over the past three seasons.
Attendees in December 2025 at the IPM workshop series, which followed a lettuce crop and also included sessions relating to onions and barley.
Facilitated by Daniel Sutton, Vegetables NZ Research, Development and Extension Manager and supported by consultant Olivia Prouse, Bioeconomy Science Institute scientists and A Lighter Touch, the workshops follow crops from planting through harvest, giving growers hands-on experience with IPM strategies in a commercial setting.
The impact on participating growers’ practices has been substantial—and measurable. Hear from three growers who have participated in the workshops about how their crop protection practices have changed.
Read the article in NZ Grower (February 2025).
