Kiwifruit orchard manger Campbell Wood has delayed a Zespri scholarship to Italy so he can oversee the orchard during spring and summer – when Psa symptoms are more active.

Young Grower of the Year Campbell Wood.

The 21-year-old Tauranga kiwifruit vine manager won Zespri's Bruce Stowell scholarship to go work on a kiwifruit orchard in Latina, Italy.

'We're going to put it off until about mid-February next year, it makes more sense to be here for spring when Psa symptoms are more active and go over there during their spring.”

Being here during the risky spring period is 'almost a must” says Campbell.

'The summer too – it's more humid here.”
Campbell says they are following all the orchard hygiene practices, 'but we can't stop the wind”.

'We'll only accept if we get Psa through wind or if it comes naturally.
'But it's closing in. It's inevitable.”

Campbell is the vine manager in Pyes Pa, looking after a 3.5 hectare organic and a 4.6ha conventional orchard.

Campbell is growing both Gold and Green varieties, as well as several Zespri trials of new varieties.

The Bay of Plenty's Young Grower of the Year recently competed in the National Young Growers competition in Rotorua, where he won the practical and came fourth overall.
'Age was probably a little bit of a factor – the other finalists had about four times as much industry experience as I have.”
Campbell says he is probably not going to compete in the competition again next year.

'Next time I do it – I'll be in it to win.”