“Our kiwifruit orchards are a key asset in our portfolio, and we need key people who are knowledgeable on the ground and can advise on the best decisions. We highly recommend Prospa and have no qualms about it.”
What influenced you to choose Prospa for your management service provider?
we felt the orchard wasn’t performing to it’s potential, so we decided to try Prospa. We also recognised the need to make some commitments in terms of a packhouse to ensure that our fruit was getting packed and we invested in EastPack. We have been happy with the results, performance, and management since.
How well do you feel your orchard has performed under Prospa management?
We are very happy with the results. We have had some good results in terms of performance of orchard. We have also had some poor results due to frost damage. Our Orchard Manager has a calm head and a very honest and practical approach in dealing with all situations. Trust has been built over time, and we appreciate the communication - good or bad - so we know exactly where we are. When dealing with frost, our Manager helped us determine frost solutions on orchard, and we followed his recommendation and had a great harvest this past year.
How would you describe the relationship you have with your Orchard Manager?
Our relationship is very good. He is very honest and has good communication, and is logical, rational, and pragmatic in his thinking. I defer to him a lot, as a Māori trust our kiwifruit orchards are a key asset in our portfolio and we need key people who are knowledgeable on the ground and can advise on the best decisions. Prospa is great for this.
How much do you value the orchard performance reporting you receive from Prospa?
The suite of reports is very helpful. The cashflows are particularly good. It is more information than I need because I don’t have the technical growing knowledge, but I am overall happy that the reporting exists, and the support is there. It is evident that the reporting flows through to help our Orchard Manager do the best job he can do.
How effective do you feel your Orchard Manager is at producing the crop as cost efficiently as possible?
I think he is very effective in managing the budget, we are of the mindset that we are long term owners of the orchard, and we want to optimise it long term. Therefore, we are more conservative around pushing the limit of the vines, and our Orchard Manager finds a good balance for us. He treats the orchard like it’s his orchard and doesn’t act as if it is a blank cheque book.
How well do you feel Prospa manages the Health & Safety and compliance requirements for your orchard?
I am not close enough to say, but I trust our Orchard Manager is doing these things. Prospa have a solid platform. For us, the main focus is maintaining relationship with our neighbours, and Prospa have managed this diligently and we are happy with that.
What do you like most about having Prospa manage your orchard?
Prospa are a super professional, good team. I like that everyone is very accessible, and they know the business inside and out and that makes life easier for me.
What advice would you have for anyone considering partnering with Prospa?
We highly recommend Prospa and have no qualms about it. My advice is to go out and talk to those that have their orchard managed by Prospa, look at their OGR results, look at the orchard – I am confident Prospa will pass all of that with flying colours. If anyone is considering this, I am happy to walk them through our orchard and talk them through our process.