The popcorn harvest is underway. Two mushroom varieties now dried and stored in our silos ready for machine cleaning. Both harvested crops were situated near Seddon and were under irrigation. Irrigation is essential given the dry summer experienced here in Marlborough and across several east coast regions. The other crops are north of Blenheim, toward Picton. In this area rainfall and soil moisture is high enough to finish popcorn in all but the extreme circumstances. Popcorn requires a good amount of heat to mature which is similar to the conditions needed for maturity of long season maize. Marlborough is considered borderline for this requirement due to its latitude.

Growers enjoy the crop. It is reliable with a good return for a broadacre venture.

Another niche market filled by Kiwi Seed.

Above: Popcorn undergoing the cleaning process.