In the lush orchards of New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, kiwifruit is a cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural exports. Here, Revive Soil Solutions NZ, a Tauranga-based company established in 2022, is transforming nutrient management for growers. By pioneering variable rate application (VRA) recommendations in the kiwifruit sector and now collaborating with service providers to integrate crop scanning data, Revive is empowering growers to optimise their nutrient strategies with precision. This blog post explores their trailblazing journey and the impact of their latest advancements.
Pioneering Variable Rate Application in Kiwifruit
Variable rate application (VRA) is well-established in broadacre farming, but its tailored application to high-value horticultural crops like kiwifruit was uncharted territory in New Zealand until Revive Soil Solutions stepped in. In late 2022, they achieved a landmark by rolling out VRA recommendations specifically for kiwifruit orchards in the Bay of Plenty, a first in New Zealand horticulture. Moving beyond traditional blanket fertiliser applications, Revive introduced a precision model that adjusts inputs based on geospatial soil data.
Their approach hinges on detailed soil sampling conducted on a 0.25-hectare grid, perfectly suited to kiwifruit’s sensitivity to nutrient imbalances. By assessing factors such as phosphorus availability—often locked up due to soil pH, iron, aluminium, or calcium—Revive creates bespoke VRA maps. These ensure fertiliser is applied only where needed, minimising waste and addressing issues like phosphorus fixation. Utilising RTK drones for precise mapping and integrating GIS technology, Revive has enabled kiwifruit growers to unlock soil potential, reduce costs, and lower emissions. While their expertise spans dairy and maize, it’s in kiwifruit orchards that they’ve set a new standard for precision horticulture in New Zealand.
Enhancing Precision: Collaborating on Crop Scanning for In-Season Recommendations
Revive Soil Solutions has now elevated their offerings by integrating crop scanning data, collected by third-party service providers, to generate in-season variable rate application recommendations. This advancement, announced in early 2025, moves nutrient management from pre-season planning to dynamic, real-time adjustments.
Through their revamped dashboard, launched with a 30-day free trial, growers can upload soil analysis and incorporate crop scanning data sourced from partners using drones or sensors. These scans capture real-time insights into plant health, nutrient uptake, and orchard variability during the growing season. Revive processes this data to produce actionable VRA prescriptions, enabling growers to address nutrient deficiencies or excesses at critical growth stages. For kiwifruit, where soil variability can lead to uneven nutrient distribution, this precision is invaluable.
The dashboard’s interactive farm maps visualise nutrient trends through colour-coded geospatial plots, making complex data accessible. Growers can collaborate with consultants within the platform and create exclusion zones around gateways, troughs, or environmentally sensitive areas to further refine applications. By partnering with scanning providers, Revive ensures growers have access to cutting-edge data without needing to invest in scanning technology themselves.
How This Helps Growers Optimise Nutrient Management
Revive’s innovations deliver measurable benefits for kiwifruit growers, transforming nutrient management into a precise, sustainable practice:
- Enhanced Efficiency and Yields: Targeted fertiliser applications prevent over- or under-fertilisation, boosting fruit quality and yields. Revive’s grid-based approach mirrors successes in dairy, such as increased milk solids, promising similar gains for kiwifruit.
- Cost Reduction: VRA can reduce fertiliser use by 5% or more, depending on orchard layout, saving thousands annually. In-season adjustments via scanning data minimise costly mid-season corrections.
- Environmental Sustainability: Precise applications reduce nutrient runoff and emissions, supporting New Zealand’s environmental goals and enhancing long-term soil health.
- Empowered Decision-Making: The user-friendly dashboard equips growers with clear, data-driven insights, reducing risks like animal health issues in integrated farms and bolstering orchard resilience.
By leveraging external scanning expertise, Revive makes precision agriculture accessible, ensuring growers can act on real-time data without the burden of additional infrastructure.
A Sustainable Future for New Zealand Kiwifruit
Revive Soil Solutions is not just providing tools—they’re driving a paradigm shift toward precision and sustainability in New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry. From pioneering VRA to integrating third-party crop scanning for dynamic recommendations, they’re helping growers navigate climate challenges and market demands with confidence. As precision agriculture gains traction, Revive’s collaborative approach is setting a new standard for smarter, greener farming.
