Image: Biosecurity round winner Aimee Barker-Gilbert (top); Contestants in the field (bottom left); KVH’s Linda Peacock and Kerry O’Neil hosting the biosecurity competition round (bottom right).

This year, the eight Bay of Plenty Young Grower contestants put themselves squarely in the boots of a multi-tasking orchard manager to take on the challenge of this year’s biosecurity module.

Competitors were not only quizzed on their knowledge of our industry’s most unwanted offshore risks but were also asked to show exactly how much they knew about on-orchard biosecurity risks and how to manage these. Scores were close, providing confidence that our young leaders all had a strong knowledge in this important space.

Thanks to all the competitors for their energy and enthusiasm, and congratulations to our extreme multi-tasker and 2025 biosecurity module winner Aimee Barker-Gilbert from Hume Pack-N- Cool.