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September 2023 Edition
INSIDE
THIS EDITION NZPork happy(ish)
p5 Methane inhibitor
p31 New breakeven
Finalist: Lydia O’Dowd from Southern Woods in rolleston was judged New Zealand’s Young plant producer of the Year and will now vie for the supreme title at the NZ Young Horticulturist Competition final next month.
Cantabrian off to Young p38 Horticulturist finals
Quality is key
Taking a plant biology paper at university was a game changer for Lydia O’Dowd who was recently judged NZ’s Young Plant Producer of the Year.
] by monique balvert-O’Connor p42
The Cantabrian, who initially began studying health science, will now go ahead to represent her sector at this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year event. Held in November each year, the Young Horticulturist Competition is a grand finale that brings together the country’s best young
talent in horticulture. O’Dowd is head propagator at Southern Woods Nursery in Rolleston. In late July she was one of five competitors put through her paces over two days of challenges held at Lincoln University. Those vying for the title of Young Plant Producer of the Year were tested on their skills in finance and dispatch, biosecuri-
ty, plant propagation and identification, tool maintenance, agrichemical use and irrigation. Attitude and leadership qualities were also considered. As a young student attending The University of Otago, O’Dowd initially thought her career path would involve people, rather than plant, care.
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