Speaker: Dr Dave Rogers, Scientist at Plant and Food Research

Date: Thursday, 25 July 2024, 6pm

Venue: Pacific Surf Club (26 Marine Parade, Bluff Hill, Napier ) 

Admission: Gold coin donation

Join us for an engaging lecture with Dr. Dave Rogers, a seasoned entomologist, as he shares captivating stories from his transformative journey in New Zealand’s apple industry. Dr. Rogers will take us from the silent, sterile apple orchards of the 1980s, dominated by broad-spectrum nerve poisons, to today’s vibrant ecosystems teeming with life. His pioneering work has been pivotal in making apple production more sustainable and eco-friendly, leading to higher quality apples while fostering healthier orchard environments. This talk will showcase how research and innovation have revolutionized fruit production, making it more sustainable and impactful.

Our speaker, Dr. Dave Rogers, is a senior scientist at Plant and Food Research, specializing in apple pest management within the Temperate Fruit Crops Entomology team in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. With a rich history of international work on fruit flies and other developmental projects, Dr. Rogers brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Notably, he served as the technical manager for a five-year MFAT-funded project in Vietnam, aimed at developing safe vegetable production systems for local farmers. This comprehensive project included agronomy, plant protection, postharvest and food safety, as well as marketing and branding. Dr. Rogers’ extensive expertise in pest management and the broader horticultural sector promises to offer invaluable insights. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a leading expert in the field and gain a deeper understanding of the advancements in sustainable horticulture.