The A Lighter Touch Podcast
Claim This Podcastby A Lighter Touch
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Podcast Overview
<p>The landscape is changing for New Zealand’s plant-based growers, with market access, pest and disease resistance, consumer demand, and regulatory shifts all impacting the way food is grown in Aotearoa.</p><br><p>In the A Lighter Touch podcast, we share knowledge to help Kiwi growers find new tools and solutions to manage pests and diseases in their crops, with a lighter environmental touch.</p><br><p>Join us as we sow the seeds to help growers move from agrichemical reliance to agroecological crop protection – sustainable farming that works with nature.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/28/2024
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Recent Episodes
February 4, 2026
EP12: A grower's journey to lighter touch crop protection
<p>In this episode, Pukekohe vegetable grower Howe Young talks about the changes he’s made in the way he manages pests and diseases in his crops over the course of his almost 60-year career.</p><br><p>Listen as Howe describes his journey from agrichemical reliance to integrated pest management decision-making, informed by crop scouting and use of biodiversity plantings as part of a crop protection strategy.</p><br><p>He and advisor Olivia Prouse reflect on the importance of a strong grower-advisor partnership, and discuss how this has impacted on the management of crops at the Pukekohe Research and Demonstration Farm, where marketable crops have been harvested with fewer or in some cases no post-transplant spray applications.</p><br><p>In the face of developing agrichemical resistance, incorporating biodiversity to enhance natural enemy populations isn't just about being more sustainable. It's about developing another tool to help maintain the ability to grow vegetables commercially in the future. </p><br><p>Grower resources supporting implementation on biodiversity as part of integrated pest management (IPM) mentioned in the episode are available <a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/our-projects/biodiverse-planting/#grower-resources" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>, including "how to" guides, monitoring templates, case studies, plant species lists, and video resources from this project .</p><br><p>Looking for more tools, tips, and resources on sustainable agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand? Visit A Lighter Touch's <a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a>, sign up for our <a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/keep-updated/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">newsletter</a>, or follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-lighter-touch-new-zealand/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Linkedin</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
December 15, 2025
EP11: Passion vine hopper IPM project: Results and industry change
<p>In this second episode, more detail on the results from the four-year Zespri- Bioeconomy Science Institute, Plant & Food Research group, project, aligned with A Lighter Touch is shared. The project, brought together scientists, industry and innovative growers to develop an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for managing Passion vine hopper in commercial orchards.</p><br><p>Listen to learn more about how the three-pronged IPM strategy worked, the mindest shift for growers and the ongoing extension and knowledge sharing via multiple communications channels.</p><br><p>Speaking during the episode are Mel Walker and Jessie Fea from Zespri, Cathy McKenna formerly of Bioeconomy Science Institute, Plant and Food Research group, and Bay of Plenty kiwifruit growers Lynda Hawes and Ian McBride.</p><br><p>Grower resources on integrated pest management (IPM) mentioned in the epsiode are <a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/our-projects/passion-vine-hopper-pvh/#grower-resources-PVH" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. Visit the<a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/our-projects/passion-vine-hopper-pvh/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> PVH project page here</a>, where you'll find a video case study and more information on project results.</p><br><p>Looking for more tools, tips, and resources on sustainable agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand? Visit A Lighter Touch's <a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a>, sign up for our <a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/keep-updated/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">newsletter</a>, or follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-lighter-touch-new-zealand/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Linkedin</a>.</p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
December 15, 2025
EP10: Passion vine hopper IPM project: Understanding the challenge
<p>In this episode, the first of a two part series, we explain the Zespri and Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI), Plant & Food Research group, project, aligned with A Lighter Touch, it brought together scientists, industry and growers to develop an integrated pest management (IPM) programme, that's changing the way growers approach Passion vine hopper (PVH) control.</p><br><p>Listeners will hear from Mel Walker and Jessie Fea from Zespri, Cathy McKenna, formerly of BSI, Plant and Food Research group, and kiwifruit growers Lynda Hawes and Ian McBride, all of whom have been part of this pioneering project. </p><br><p>Grower resources on integated pest management (IPM) mentioned in the epsiode are <a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/our-projects/passion-vine-hopper-pvh/#grower-resources-PVH" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. Visit the<a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/our-projects/passion-vine-hopper-pvh/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> PVH project page here</a>, where you'll find a video case study and more information on project results. </p><br><p>Looking for more tools, tips, and resources on sustainable agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand? Visit A Lighter Touch's <a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a>, sign up for our <a href="https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz/keep-updated/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">newsletter</a>, or follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-lighter-touch-new-zealand/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Linkedin</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
12 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is The A Lighter Touch Podcast?
<p>The landscape is changing for New Zealand’s plant-based growers, with market access, pest and disease resistance, consumer demand, and regulatory shifts all impacting the way food is grown in Aotearoa.</p><br><p>In the A Lighter Touch podcast, we share knowledge to help Kiwi growers find new tools and solutions to manage pests and diseases in their crops, with a lighter environmental touch.</p><br><p>Join us as we sow the seeds to help growers move from agrichemical reliance to agroecological crop protection – sustainable farming that works with nature.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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