Learn of enhance your use of the SVS decision support tool: Workshop two coming to regions and on online

Join a series of free hands-on workshops designed to help you learn or further enhance your use of the Sustainable Vegetable Systems decision support tool. This tool supports nitrogen decision-making in real-world cropping situations to help optimise N fertiliser use.

Each workshop builds 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.

 

Who should attend?

These workshops are designed for growers and industry participants who want to take a practical approach to improving crop nitrogen management.

We strongly encourage attendance from:

• Growers
• Agronomists and advisors
• Industry organisations and service providers

If you're working with crops and want to better understand and apply the SVS Tool in a real-world setting, these are for you. The aim of the workshop is to provide a supportive learning environment for participants.

This project is funded by HortNZ, Potatoes New Zealand, Vegetables Research & Innovation and the Ministry for Primary Industries. It is delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Arable Research, NZ Vegetable Council and Pukekohe, Tararua, Tairawhiti and Canterbury Grower Associations.

 

Workshop one is now complete in all regions

If you missed out on attending workshop one, you can still attend the remaining workshops - we will bring you up to date with what you missed at the next workshop or contact your local facilitator:

Pukekohe | Daniel Sutton | P: 027 473 2381

Horowhenua | Sarah Dobson | P: 021 177 8173

Hawke's Bay and Tarawhiti | Dereck Fergusson | P: 027 807 4575 or Rene Van Tilburg | P: 027 344 9254

Canterbury | Roger Blyth | P: 021 742 006 or Paula Lleras | P: 027 263 8437

 

Workshop two - Applying SVS to your crops

Pukekohe and online: Tuesday, 22 September 2026 | 8.30-10.30am Te Ahikawariki, Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence, 49 Cronin Road, Pukekohe

Horowhenua: Thursday, 8 October 2026 | 12 noon (lunch), 12.30-2.30pm Woodhaven Gardens, 44 Joblins Road, Levin (Note: this is a change of venue from workshop one)

Gisborne: Thursday, 24 September 2026 | 4-6pm Bushmere Arms, 673 Matawai Road, Waerengaahika (Note: this is a change of venue from workshop one) (refreshments provided after the workshop)

Hawke's Bay Heretaunga: Friday, 16 October 2026 | 8.30-10.30am Havelock North Community Centre, 30 Te Mata Road, Havelock North (morning tea provided after the workshop)

Hawke's Bay Central: Friday, 16 October 2026 | 12.30pm (lunch), 1-3pm Centralines, 17 Coughlan Road, Waipukurau

Canterbury: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 | 3pm (coffee), 3.30-5.30pm Hotel Ashburton, 11-35 Racecourse Road, Allenton, Ashburton

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 three - 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

Gisborne: Thursday, 15 April 2027 | 12.30pm (lunch), 1-3pm

Hawke's Bay: Thursday, 1 April 2027 | 12.30pm (lunch), 1-3pm

Canterbury: Tuesday, 4 May 2027 | 3pm (coffee), 3.30-5.30pm

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 four - 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

Gisborne: Thursday, 22 July 2027 | 12.30pm (lunch), 1-3pm

Hawke's Bay: Thursday, 1 July 2027 | 12.30pm (lunch), 1-3pm

Canterbury: Tuesday, 27 July 2027 | 3pm (coffee), 3.30-5.30pm

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).

What to expect

• Practical, hands-on sessions (not just presentations)
• Work through real crop examples
• Learn alongside other growers and advisors
• Ongoing support between workshops.

 

Important

These workshops are designed for active participation.

To get the most value, please bring your own laptop and come prepared and ready to engage.