News & case studies

Spring toolkit: make MetWatch your secret weapon this growing season

September 1, 2026

Spring is crunch time for many orchardists and decisions made now can play a critical role in whether the season ahead is a good one or a bad one. From optimising spray timing for crop protection to planning irrigation, here's how to maximise your use of MetWatch this growing season.

Features
Insights

Could risk-based spraying for black spot improve crop yield and save you thousands?

August 27, 2026

Spraying apples for diseases like black spot based on real-time disease risk, rather than a fixed calendar, isn’t a new idea in horticulture. But modern technology, improved disease models and better forecasting are now letting growers fine-tune their spray timing – cutting back on unnecessary applications while making the sprays they do use more effective. Could you be spraying better?

Insights
Sustainability

Winter toolkit: MetWatch essentials for the coldest months

June 16, 2026

Winter might feel like the quiet season on the orchard or vineyard, but for savvy growers it's one of the most strategically important times of year. Decisions you make around dormancy management, pruning hygiene, pest monitoring and crop planning can have an outsized impact on what you harvest months down the track. We've spotlighted six vital ways MetWatch can support orchard planning in winter.

Features
Insights

HortPlus announces appointments to senior leadership team

March 4, 2026

HortPlus has today announced key appointments to its senior leadership team as the New Zealand agri-tech company positions itself for growth and international expansion. Director Mike Barley has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, Cody Ellingham has been named Chief Strategy Officer and Bailey Jewell has taken up the position of Chief Technology Officer.

Spotlight

Autumn toolkit: MetWatch’s top ranked orchard insight tools in the fall

March 3, 2026

MetWatch is a platform for all seasons, so it’s no surprise you can make some serious use of its weather, pest and disease tools during Autumn. Whether you’re looking to minimise crop losses during late harvest, protect plants from disease during pruning, or review and optimise spray timings for the future, MetWatch has a raft of time-saving models, calculators and analytics to help you through.

Features
Insights

Summer toolkit: Top tips to make the most of MetWatch in the sunny months

December 9, 2025

While summer brings ideal growing conditions for many crops across New Zealand, it also presents unique challenges for growers – from managing irrigation during dry spells to staying one step ahead of pests and diseases that thrive in warm conditions.The MetWatch weather, pest and plant disease portal equips horticulturalists with an armoury of digital tools to manage these seasonal challenges wit

Insights
Features

Advanced weather data creates ‘crystal ball’ for Fresh Berry Company

December 2, 2025

With nearly 31 years of horticulture under his belt, Fresh Berry Company Director Dean Astill knows that no two growing seasons are ever the same.

Case Studies

MetWatch insights give third-generation Hawke's Bay grower ‘the edge’

December 2, 2025

Accurate weather information is crucial when it comes to maximising yield and caring for crops at The Orchard in Hawke’s Bay, says owner Roger Brownlie.

Case Studies

One source of weather truth transforms decision-making for famed winemaker

December 2, 2025

At Constellation Brands' Selaks Vineyard and Winery in Hawke's Bay, managing 245 hectares premium grapes requires careful planning and the ability to respond rapidly to any challenges the growing season brings.

Case Studies

How MetWatch weather data is helping agri-businesses grow smarter in NZ

September 10, 2025

Across New Zealand's diverse growing regions, a quiet revolution is taking place. Forward-thinking horticulture businesses and researchers have been embracing HortPlus’ industry-leading digital MetWatch platform to make smarter decisions about how they care for their crops and plan for the future.

Spotlight