FarmRight was established in 2000 to fill a service gap in the dairy sector and expanded into viticulture and horticulture in 2017. Today, FarmRight’s pipfruit portfolio spans multiple regions, with nearly 530 hectares of orchards either in production or development.

A key part of this growth is Rosewood Orchards in Hawke’s Bay, where 80 hectares of apples are spread across four blocks. These orchards diversify climatic and geographic risk while enabling FarmRight to grow premium varieties suited to the region, including Envy. For Pipfruit Operations Manager, Grant Stevenson, achieving consistently high fruit quality is critical. The team has trialled a range of planting systems, from traditional spindle structures to high-density 2D and Vtrellis systems. The team refines crop monitoring processes, using drone technology to assess crop load, fruit size, and tree health. 

Supporting this highly technical operation is a close working relationship with Fruitfed Horticulture. Technical Horticulture Representative Luke Bottriell and Fruitfed Horticulture specialists work alongside the Rosewood team, providing practical advice as the orchard evolves. Grant values the openness of the relationship. “I appreciate Luke's practical approach and honesty. We can have robust discussions about different options, which helps us make better decisions,” says Grant. “If there’s something Luke doesn’t know, he'll go away and find the answer. That level of commitment builds trust and makes him a valuable sounding board.”

That relationship extends beyond a single point of contact. Grant also works closely with Extension Advisor – Pipfruit Marcus Fitzsimmons and is exploring collaborative trial opportunities at the Hastings Research Station (see pages 54 to 57). Together, the Fruitfed Horticulture team is helping ensure decisions are well informed, technically sound, and aligned with long-term orchard performance. 

While Hawke’s Bay anchors FarmRight’s North Island presence, the business is also investing significantly in new developments in the South Island, including a large-scale orchard east of Ashburton and two orchards located in Tasman. 

Tōrea Orchard is being established on a 460-hectare dairy farm. The development will ultimately see 250 hectares planted in apples, with the balance remaining in dairy. During 2025, 150 hectares were planted in Rockit and Joli varieties, with a further 100 hectares planned for winter 2026. At full development, the orchard will comprise approximately 900,000 trees grown on V-trellis systems designed to maximise productivity. 

Getting the fundamentals right has been a central focus for Development Manager Damian Febery, with early work centred on site preparation, irrigation infrastructure, nutrition programmes, and establishing strong tree structure. As the orchard transitions from establishment into its next phase, Fruitfed Horticulture continues to play a key role. Technical Horticultural Representative Rob Wards has been closely involved, supporting pest and disease monitoring, spray programmes, and tree nutrition from the outset. 

Damian says Rob’s input has been instrumental to the development. “From planning through to implementation, Rob’s experience and knowledge have been invaluable,” he says. “His level of technical expertise gives us confidence in our decisions and helps set the orchard up for long-term success.” 

Rob says being involved in the development of Tōrea Orchard has been rewarding. “Projects of this scale are a unique opportunity to get the fundamentals right from the outset. By working closely with the FarmRight team, we can add value by supporting strong long-term performance and confidence in key decisions.” 

The two Tasman orchards, located in Riwaka and Appleby, span 200 hectares and grow Envy, Ambrosia, Evercrisp, and Joli varieties. The orchards include both producing and redevelopment blocks, with significant investment made to align plantings with FarmRight’s long-term varietal strategy and future market demand. 

Working closely with the orchard team, Technical Horticultural Representative Hayden French provides technical advice and practical solutions tailored to the region's growing conditions. Hayden enjoys being involved in the orchards’ ongoing development. “FarmRight has made a significant commitment to the Tasman region and it’s exciting to support a business that is continually looking for ways to improve,” he says. “There’s a strong focus on getting the best out of every hectare through redevelopment, new varieties, and technology.” 

For FarmRight, growth has never been about hectares alone. The focus is on developing orchards that perform over the long term, supported by good people, sound horticultural practices, and a willingness to keep improving. As new developments come online, that approach continues to guide investment and operational decisions across the portfolio.

The relationship with Fruitfed Horticulture is built on more than product supply. It is grounded in trusted technical expertise, open communication, and a shared focus on achieving sustainable outcomes across complex large-scale horticultural operations.