Skeltons almost doubles BOP horticulture technical team

Skeltons has increased its Bay of Plenty technical advisory team to five in recognition of the need for more skilled people on the ground in light of the challenges facing the region’s kiwifruit growers.

Mark Loeffen, an experienced and well respected advisor to kiwifruit growers in the region, will start with Skeltons, Farmlands horticultural specialists, at the end of November, while Jonathan Newby, who is based at the Te Puna store, will start consulting to growers from 31 October.

“Our business is expanding in the region because growers demand credible and unbiased advice in these challenging times,” says Dean Gower, Skeltons Bay of Plenty field manager.
“Kiwifruit growers are becoming confused and frustrated with the masses of information coming at them. They just want advice where fact has been sorted from fiction, to give a sound and clear recommendation based on latest information.”

Mark Loeffen is a seasoned horticulture advisor who has been working with the region’s kiwifruit and avocado growers predominantly for over 20 years. His expertise is being called on by growers looking for ways to deal with the testing issues of Psa. He will be based from the Te Puke Farmlands store.
Mr Loeffen, formerly with Fruitfed Supplies, had a reputation for solid and robust advice and his knowledge and experience would enhance Skeltons’ service to the industry locally, says Mr Gower.

According to Luke Hansen, Farmlands national horticulture manager, there are companies pushing products that are ineffective against Psa and incentivising their sales forces to sell these products.

“This is a sad indictment on the industry and growers are beginning to challenge this type of approach,” Mr Hansen says. “Skeltons’ emphasis is in on providing sound advice based on proven results. Our technical advisors are salaried and are not motivated by commissions or incentives. Our philosophy is to give the best advice for the grower, even if that costs us a sale.”

Jonathan Newby has spent the past year in the Farmlands Te Puna store learning the Farmlands / Skeltons’ business. In 2010, Mr Newby won the Hawke’s Bay Young Fruitgrower of the Year and New Zealand Young Grower of the Year. He will initially partner Andrew McIntosh (Skeltons technical advisor in Te Puna) to fully learn the technical aspects of growing kiwifruit.