There's been a dramatic reduction in the number of new outbreaks of the kiwifruit disease Psa-V since December, compared with the same period a year ago.
In December 2011 and January 2012, kiwifruit vines on 31 orchards in Bay of Plenty tested positive for the bacterial disease.
But Kiwifruit Vine Health's chief executive Barry O'Neil says since just before Christmas last year there have only been three positive Psa-V results.
Mr O'Neil says the very hot, dry summer has been good news because it slows the disease down considerably.
He says summer rate application of copper is still being recommended as well as removing the vigorous, late summer growth that succumbed last year.
He also says if growers are girdling, or ring barking to restrict the flow around the vine of leaf produced sugars, they should only cut dry matter to ensure it is not too deep and copper sprays are used to protect the wound until it heals.
