Cut the Crop! ( Foundation for Arable Research (NZ))

Winter is the best time to get on top of weeds in white clover seed crops. FAR’s Richard Chynoweth outlines some management strategies for a range of weeds, including sow thistle.

Resources:

• FAR Focus 3 - White Clover: A growers guide
• Broadleaf weeds of arable crops - Ute Guide
• Grass weeds of arable crops - Ute Guide

 Autumn management is critical for seed head formation in tall fescue and cocksfoot, but less so in other grass species. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Richard Chynoweth of FAR details how to encourage early tiller development, while FAR’s technology manager Chris Smith provides some tips on how to get the best out of soil moisture probes.

There’s a lot going in the freshwater, greenhouse gas and farm environment plan compliance space. In this episode, Farm Systems Research Manager Diana Mathers outlines the work that FAR is doing to help growers understand and meet some of the incoming requirements.

Recent research has shown why and how to manage soil variability under irrigation, while tech advances, such as smartphone apps, have made it a lot easier to do. Carolyn Hedley, from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research talks with Alison Stewart about the outcomes of the government funded Maximising the Value of Irrigation project, which had a major focus on arable soils.

Co-funders of the project included FAR, Vegetable Research & Innovation Board, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Environment Canterbury, Irrigation NZ, Ministry for Primary Industries and DairyNZ.

www.cutthecrop.co.nz

FAR’s maize expert David Densley looks back at three years of maize research as well as future possibilities. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Alison Stewart that the main focus remains profitability, resilience and the environment.

Two grass grubs per spade square equals 60 per square metre and that’s enough to do damage emerging cereal crops! With this in mind, Alison Stewart talks to AgResearch entomologist Sarah Mansfield current and future options for grass grub control.

As early sown cereals approach tillering and seed treatment protection runs out, how do you manage cereal aphids and the risk of BYDV? FAR cereal expert Jo Drummond explains the pros and cons of reaching for an insecticide versus biding your time and letting natural aphid predators and parasitoids do their work. 

Resources:

• FAR Focus 12 - Integrated Pest Management
• Crop Action, Edition 162

www.cutthecrop.co.nz

Tony Fenton has been facilitator for the Southland and South Otago Growers Leading Change groups for the last three years. In this episode of Cut the Crop he outlines the issues for growers in these regions and what the groups have been doing to address these.

Grass weeds are a big headache for many grain and seed growers. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Alison Stewart talks to Hugh Wigley, farmer leader of a Growers Leading Change group that has declared war on grassweeds about their on-farm weed management trials and results.

Ramularia is everywhere. Soonie Chng from Plant & Food Research explains the latest New Zealand research findings on this disease and ponders what future management might look like.

 FAR Cereal Disease Strategy, 2020

Anna Heslop and David Densley discuss FAR’s new PRE-focus maize research and extension strategy, and how it is being rolled out on-farm and in workshops this year.

A wet start, slug, grass grub and bird damage, difficulties with crop establishment as well as product shortages – it hasn’t been the easiest start for this season’s FAR research trials in Canterbury. Anna Heslop talks to FAR’s Owen Gibson and Richard Chynoweth ahead of CROPS 2022 at FAR’s Chertsey research site.

Techniques to beat climate change, different approaches for different soils and even for different Islands, Alison Stewart talks to FAR’s David Densley, who outlines some ‘new to New Zealand’ maize research and updates her on the long term maize research programme, in the North and South Islands.

For more information visit,

2022 Resilient Maize Systems conference booklet

A lot of vehicles are coming on and off-farm at this time of year.

Do you have a biosecurity plan for your business?

How do you plan to evade weeds and pests that are new to your farm?

 For more information visit, www.far.org.nz/articles/1217/arable-biosecurity-risk-register

www.far.org.nz/articles/1606/black-grass-detection

There is always plenty of interesting trial work happening at FAR’s two Canterbury research sites, Chertsey and Kowhai Farm near Lincoln. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR researcher Owen Gibson says that as well as cereal and herbage seed small plot trial work, technology is also being evaluated.

Anna Heslop talks to CEO Alison Stewart about FAR’s key projects and achievements for 2022, touching on weeds, pests and diseases, He Waka Eke Noa, biosecurity and the New Zealand Arable Awards.

This week’s road trip calls in to Waikato and Rangitikei in the North Island and then down to Mid and South Canterbury.

FAR researcher David Densely talks to Anna Heslop about the next 12 months of maize research and extension. There’s a lot of work going into on-farm trials looking at establishment techniques and cover-crops, and, linked to it, a series of field days. David also announces the date of FAR’s 2022 Maize Conference

This month, we’re with Henry Callaghan in Fairlie, Matt McEvedy in Southbridge, Bill Webb in Te Puke and David Wordsworth in Dargaville, talking about contracts for seed and spring grain crops, conditions for spring sowing and preparation for maize, labour availability and the impact of the recent flooding in Northland.

www.cutthecrop.co.nz

How do you set up crop management zones within a paddock and why would you bother? Allister Holmes (FAR) explains how harvest yield monitor data can be converted into profit and loss maps for your farm.

www.cutthecrop.co.nz

Rapidly rising international consumer demand for plant-based protein provides arable growers with a potential new market opportunity. In this episode of Cut the Crop Alison Stewart talks to Ivan Lawrie of FAR about a new report looking at the feasibility of developing a pea and fava bean protein extraction plant in New Zealand.

FAR has developed a fungicide decision tree which poses a set of questions for growers to help them to decide whether a T0 fungicide is needed in wheat. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR senior cereals researcher Jo Drummond tells Alison Stewart that rather than adopting a “just-in-case” approach, growers need to retain chemistry for when they really need it.

A British regenerative agriculture trailblazer, more widely known as one half of the electronic music duo Groove Armada, Andy Cato took time out from his busy tour schedule to speak at CROPS 2022. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he outlines his journey from novice farmer on the verge of financial failure to co-founder of Wildfarmed, which rewards farmers with premiums for the quality of their crops, soils and ecosystems.

The weeds are fighting back…herbicide resistance is an increasing problem across the globe. Weed management expert Carol Mallory-Smith from Oregon State University applies her knowledge to the New Zealand situation, while FAR’s Matilda Gunnarsson provides an update on the latest findings on herbicide resistance in New Zealand. 

www.cutthecrop.co.nz

Short-term cover crops are increasingly being considered as an option for paddocks that previously may have been fallowed between crops.

In this presentation from CROPS 2022, FAR’s Abie Horrocks says trial results are promising in terms of improvements in soil quality.

A survey of arable growers has highlighted that arable is a great industry to be involved with, but also that it is getting more stressful.

In this episode of Cut the Crop, Growers Leading Change National Coordinator, Erica Callaghan, outlines the results of a survey of 10 percent of New Zealand’s arable growers and explains how these results will be used to develop a more tailored extension approach.

Each month Cut the Crop! takes an on-air road trip, stopping off with FAR growers in the regions to find out what’s on their minds.

This month, we’re with Guy Wigley in Waimate, Roscoe Taggart in North Canterbury, Henry Reynolds in the Wairarapa and Paul Mackintosh in Whanganui, talking about how the drought has impacted on crop sales, livestock management and decisions around next year’s contracts. 

www.cutthecrop.co.nz

He Waka Eke Noa has provided the government with a recommendation on how to introduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions pricing. They're recommending a split-gas farm level levy. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR CEO Alison Stewart explains what this means, and what happens next.

Herbicide resistance in imported ryegrass seed lots is so widespread it is safer for farmers to assume that resistance is present, AgResearch scientist Chris Buddenhagen told CROPS.

This follows research showing that 20 of 28 seed lines tested, or 70 per cent, had some resistance to Group 1 and/or 2 herbicides.

FAR is holding five maize winter workshops in the North Island in July. To encourage growers to head along, FAR senior environment researcher Dirk Wallace tells Anna Heslop in this episode of Cut the Crop about research which shows that legumes can reduce and even eliminate the need to apply nitrogen to a maize crop.

In a worst-case scenario, new fungicide actives may ‘break’ within three years. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Fiona Burnett from Scotland's Rural College discusses mixing and dose rates, stressing that taking some very simple steps on-farm will help preserve fungicide efficacy.

Consultation is underway on the government’s response to the primary sectors’ He Waka Eke Noa recommendations for farmgate emissions pricing. FAR CEO Alison Stewart tells Anna Heslop about how these changes look from an arable perspective and the resources available for growers to make a submission.

Growers wanting to reduce agrichemical inputs in their crops but not sure where to start have the opportunity to learn more at a series of ‘A Lighter Touch’ events in August. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR senior cereals researcher Jo Drummond says there will be something for everyone to adopt on-farm.

As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, water stress in crops will become an increasing issue. Plant and Food Research science group leader Penny Tricker tells Anna Heslop that an important focus of wheat breeding is to combine drought and heat tolerance while maintaining yield and quality.

The 2024 Arable Awards’ Positive Environmental Impact winner, Waikato maize grower Daniel Finlayson, has fully integrated environmental considerations into his farming system. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Anna Heslop that profits and yields are up, and greenhouse gas emissions down, through actions like switching to strip till and trying alternative nitrogen sources.

Australia’s experience shows that herbicide resistance does not mean an end to arable farm profitability, Chris Preston, Professor of weed management at the University of Adelaide says. He told the FAR conference that as Australian farmers can no longer just rely on chemicals for weed control, they are instead adopting multiple tactics and taking a long-term approach.

It’s generally accepted that clay soils and wet springs make minimum tillage too challenging when establishing maize in many parts of the lower North Island. Marton farmer David Lee-Jones tells Alison Stewart how his Growers Leading Change group is trying to alter this.

FAR board chair Steven Bierema talks to Alison Stewart about the challenges and opportunities facing the arable industry and FAR's goals for the coming year.

In response to climate change, New Zealand has set a target of net zero carbon by 2050.

At FAR’s 2023 conference, senior environment researcher Dirk Wallace urged farmers to know their emissions number. As most of an arable farmer’s cropping emissions are from nitrogen fertiliser use, they can then look at opportunities to reduce this.

Erica Callaghan updates Alison Stewart on progress within the Growers Leading Change programme, which now has seven grower groups running around the country, looking at everything from weed management to improving cereal profitability. But she says, they’re still looking to set up more groups and to identify farm businesses interested in implementing bigger changes as part of the Pathfinder Farm network.

Do you know your anions from your cations? Can you rely on the release of anaerobically mineralisable N? Do your consultant’s recommended application rates make sense? In this edition of Cut the Crop we talk to Jeff Morton, from MortonAg about understanding and optimising your farm’s soil fertility.

Links

FAR Focus: The confidence to cut back

Managing soil fertility on cropping farms

FAR Strategy: Nitrogen application in wheat and barley

FAR Strategy: Nitrogen application in perennial ryegrass seed crops 

From 2025 farmers will have to pay for agricultural greenhouse gas emissions – now is your chance to have your say about what that payment system should look like.

In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR CEO Alison Stewart outlines the three pricing options being considered and urges you to give us your feedback on the pros and cons of each.

The consultation closes at the end of March, so have a listen, and have your say.

Complete the emissions pricing survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CGR67Q7

With tropical insect pest fall armyworm now confirmed in both islands, eradication is no longer possible and the initial response will move to long-term management. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s Ivan Lawrie, who is involved in the biosecurity response, tells Alison Stewart that control options for maize crops, including a bio-control, are encouraging.

New Zealand-based agritech start-up BioLumic is developing ‘recipes’ of energy-efficient ultraviolet light for treatment of young plants and seeds. BioLumic’s Ana Pontaroli discusses whether ultraviolet seed treatments could enhance maize productivity.

FAR researcher Jo Drummond talks to Anna Heslop about how to get the most bang for your nitrogen buck in the coming season.

FAR is holding its 2024 maize conference in Hamilton on February 12-13. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s senior maize researcher David Densley says the conference has everything from international speakers on precision ag and biologicals, to grower discussion panels and a research site visit.

Australian integrated pest management expert Paul Horne has just spent a week in New Zealand. In this episode of Cut the Crop Alison Stewart and Paul define IPM and discuss how it can work in New Zealand arable systems.

Herbicide-resistant grass weeds are widespread on New Zealand arable farms.

FAR's Ben Harvey tells growers at CROPS 2022 about trial work which provides options for growers dealing with Group 2 resistance.

2023 Arable Researcher of the Year winner Richard Chynoweth attended the International Herbage Seed Conference in France. He shares insights into the advantages NZ growers have over their European counterparts.

Visiting English arable farmer Rob Waterston says that the prevalence of invasive crop weed black-grass as well as the loss of traditional crop chemistry is forcing UK growers to change their rotation and management. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Alison Stewart that environmental payments are also influencing crop choice.

Growers struggling to keep up to speed with the raft of environmental regulations coming onstream can tap into the expertise of FAR’s environment technical and policy advisor Hannah Ritchie. In this episode of Cut the Crop she tells Alison Stewart that arable growers can have an impact on what rules and limits come into effect.

Flooded and ruined crops, broken fences, paddocks covered in silt and rubbish, combines and chaser bins getting bogged during maize harvest – these are just some of the challenges being faced by farmers following Cyclone Gabrielle. Anna Heslop talks to Hugh Ritchie of Hawkes Bay and Toby Parker of Tolaga Bay about how they are faring two months on.

Growers often wait until they have a crisis with insecticide resistant pests before seeking to adopt Integrated Pest Management, says Australian IPM expert Paul Horne. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he suggests growers start small with one paddock and that beneficial insects are more abundant than people realise.

How much water do grass seed crops need? When are the critical application times? Can you over-water? What happens if they don’t get enough? FAR’s Herbage Research Manager, Richard Chynoweth, explains that grass seed crops need water at both ends of the growing season, first to form and then to fill seed heads. He also outlines the benefits of soil moisture monitoring. 

Scottish farmer David Aglen runs the AHDB Strategic Cereal Farm, the equivalent of a FAR Growers Leading Change Pathfinder farm. He told the FAR conference that farmers are losing the battle with fungicides and herbicides in his part of the world and the six-year project aims to find alternative management options.

How real is the threat of climate change to New Zealand? In the first of a series of Cut the Crop podcasts with Dr Harry Clark, Director of New Zealand’s Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, we discuss how different levels of warming could impact on how and where we live and farm, and why reducing greenhouse gas emissions is so important.

For more information, visit Ag Matters.

FAR’s Owen Gibson takes Alison Stewart on a virtual tour of this year’s herbicide screening trial at Chertsey and talks about some glitches in the herbicide supply chain.

To watch the video to see the photos explained in this podcast episode, visit: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/655915328

Slugs never sleep! It’s been a dry summer, so slug pressure has generally been low this autumn. However, FAR’s Abie Horrocks says keep monitoring, because any slugs that are around, will still be active, and it doesn’t take much rain to increase their numbers to damaging levels. Abie also outlines some integrated pest management (IPM) approaches to dealing with these slimy pests.

Resources:

• FAR Focus 12: Integrated Pest Management
• Slug baits available in New Zealand

www.cutthecrop.co.nz

A Methven-based Arable Growth Group are experimenting with biological products as a way to become more environmentally and financially sustainable. Anna Heslop talks to farmer Steve Sim about how the group are trialing the use of biologicals and liquid injectables in autumn-sown cereals on their farms.

SIRC, the Seed Industry Research Centre, is a grower-industry collaboration. It was formed in 2017 to ensure quality and continuity for seed research in New Zealand. In this episode, Ivan Lawrie outlines SIRC’s membership and funding model, and explains how SIRC determines which of the seed industry’s many pressing issues, to invest in.

FAR researcher Abie Horrocks is trialling the oversowing of a legume in ryegrass regrowth after harvest as a way of extending the value of ryegrass seed crops. In this episode of Cut the Crop, she tells Anna Heslop that it is showing promise as a management tool, adding nitrogen and improving feed.

Cultivation practices, winter fallows, setback widths and planting plans can all impact on just how much soil a farm may lose during a major rainfall event. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Alison Stewart talks to FAR’s Abie Horrocks about the findings of recently completed research project call “Good management practices for setbacks on arable farms.

FAR, with support from MPI’s SFFF has recently launched a $2.4 million extension project called Growers Leading Change. Project Leader Anna Heslop talks to Alison Stewart about how it was formed, what it aims to achieve and how growers can get involved.

Find out more.

Gamma-ray, an overseas technology that provides a much higher definition profile of a soil’s texture and nutrients than most other soil sensor techniques, is being evaluated by FAR and others.

FAR technology manager Chris Smith and EIT lecturer Chris Thorman detail how it works and the potential to manage inputs with variable rate applications.

Pre-emergence herbicides are a key component of grass and other weed control in cereal crops. However, increasing weed resistance to Group 1 and 2 herbicides means careful stewardship is required. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Bayer NZ market development agronomist Jonno Shields provides advice on ways to maintain the efficacy of herbicides.

Bird feeding on crops is estimated to cost the New Zealand arable industry tens of millions of dollars every year, and don’t let’s even get started on starling nests and tractors! In this episode, FAR’s Owen Gibson outlines the pros and cons of bird management techniques from shotguns to lasers.

FAR and Pure Oil NZ are working together on a Monitor Farm Project aimed at understanding the factors influencing oilseed rape yields. Alison Stewart talks to Keith Gundry about what they learned in the 2020/21 season.

Following two visits by a team of Australian combine harvester specialists, FAR’s technology manager Chris Smith outlines key ways growers are reducing losses and improving harvesting efficiency and capacity. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Anna Heslop that adjustments of a few millimetres can make all the difference in terms of combine performance.

As the climate continues to change, warmer average temperatures make maize an increasingly viable crop option for South Island farmers.

At CROPS 2022, FAR’s David Densley and Owen Gibson discuss research showing that different management to North Island standard practices may be needed to improve crop yields in the south.

Two for the price of one! Join current and past FAR CEOs, Alison Stewart and Nick Pyke for a chat about past, present and possible future arable research, as FAR celebrates its 25th birthday. 

www.cutthecrop.co.nz

United States maize expert Professor Fred Below of the University of Illinois has been visiting New Zealand as a guest of FAR. In this session of Cut the Crop, he tells Alison Stewart that while planting populations keep going up, the height of some maize hybrids is coming down.

A new FAR Focus called “Good Soil is Good Business” will be released soon. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Anna Heslop talks to the book’s author FAR’s Abie Horrocks about why the time is right for a guide like this how arable farmers can influence the soil quality on their farms.

A Cyclone Gabrielle study has examined the ways growers dealt with silt on their land and their return to profitable cropping. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR senior environment researcher Dirk Wallace tells Alison Stewart that it is hoped the study can assist future growers by documenting what worked and what didn’t.

FAR’s Technology research and extension manager, Allister Holmes, outlines his role and some of the projects he’s working on across a range of North and South Island crops. He also discusses some of the challenges involved in making the best use of farm data, and how they are being dealt with here and overseas.

FAR’s Growers Leading Change knowledge extension programme has now been going for more than three years. In this episode of Cut the Crop, GLC national co-ordinator Philippa Rawlinson talks about what has been achieved and what’s planned for the future.

New Federated Farmers Arable Chair Colin Hurst talks to Alison Stewart about opportunities arable for what he hopes to achieve during his three year term.

David Densely outlines five key reasons why anyone associated with the New Zealand maize industry should attend FAR’s Maize Conference in Hamilton on February 2 and 3 2022.

International speakers, New Zealand-first maize research, benchmarking, learning from your peers, and more.

Get online and register now…registrations close on Wednesday 12 January.

Register online now  or via the Events page on the FAR website www.far.org.nz/events.

Two years since it started, FAR’s Growers Leading Change (GLC) initiative now has 15 Arable Growth Groups set up around the country with more in the pipeline. GLC national coordinator Philippa Rawlinson tells Alison Stewart that she encourages any grower with a potential topic, for learning and sharing, to get involved.

FAR’s technology manager Chris Smith has just returned from Cereals, the UK’s largest arable farming event. In this episode of Cut the Crop he tells Anna Heslop that environmental concerns, control of black-grass and resistance to agchem is leading to more use of strip till and direct drilling, targeted weeding and use of biological products.

Collaboration between government, growers, industry and local community in the Wairarapa has culminated in a world first eradication of pea weevil. Karen Williams, Federated Farmers Arable Chair, explains how the four year pea growing ban led to this great result.

www.cutthecrop.co.nz

In this episode of Cut the Crop, Anna Heslop talks to rural mental health advocate and Will to Live founder Elle Perriam about Will to Live’s latest venture…the Rural Change Programme, which is funding counseling services for New Zealand farmers and farmworkers. It’s inspiring and it could be the help that you, or someone you love, needs right now.

Links: www.willtolivenz.com/i-want-help

www.rural-support.org.nz/

https://farmstrong.co.nz/

FAR is setting up a new investment fund to support arable focused agri-tech and agri-food companies. In this edition of Cut the Crop, CEO Alison Stewart explains why FAR decided to start the fund and how it will work.

Average effort equals average yields. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Anna Heslop talks to FAR’s senior maize researcher, David Densley, about moving Beyond the First Principles of maize production to increase yield and profit.

New Zealand farmers have one month to express their opinions on a greenhouse gas emissions pricing scheme as outlined in the He Waka Eke Noa agricultural emissions pricing options.

In this episode of Cut the Crop, Alison Stewart talks to Dirk Wallace, Senior Environment Researcher at FAR about how the consultation will work for arable growers during the very busy harvest period.

For more information, visit: https://www.far.org.nz/environment 

https://www.far.org.nz/articles/1610/he-waka-eke-noa-pricing-options-for-agricultural-emissions

Resistance, residues and registration all threaten ongoing access to synthetic agrichemicals. FAR CEO Alison Stewart explains how these ‘Three Rs’ led to FAR’s involvement in a multi-million dollar MPI-funded research programme called A Lighter Touch, which is developing effective, integrated weed, pest and disease management systems for New Zealand arable and horticultural growers.

www.cutthecrop.co.nz

In the last four seasons, cocksfoot seed growers have been battling an unknown disease that has reduced yields by up to 75%.

Today we’re talking to Richard Chynoweth from FAR about the work that went into identifying the mystery disease, and the management plan’s that are emerging.

Marton maize and cereal grower and contractor Simon Nitschke is the 2024 Arable Farmer of the Year. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Alison Stewart that his family’s decision to move up the value chain and expand their maize grain storage, drying and blending business means better understanding and meeting the needs of end-users.

 Mechanical weeding is being researched by FAR senior field research officer Charles Merfield (Merf) as a way of reducing herbicide applications. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Alison Stewart that rather than being a relic of the past, the technology is advancing rapidly and can offer exceptional levels of weed control.

Getting the general public to understand the benefits of irrigation is difficult when many link it with intensive dairy, says Irrigation NZ CEO Vanessa Winning. She tells Alison Stewart that this is holding back opportunities for community capture and storage of water, something which is becoming even more crucial as the climate changes.

Travelling the world as NZ’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Methven arable farmer Hamish Marr says that what we consider “normal” for agriculture here is different elsewhere. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Anna Heslop that everywhere he goes, the main talking points are climate change and emissions.

FAR environment researcher Abie Horrocks has looked at the economic impact of implementing national freshwater policy on Otago’s arable farmers, as part of a wider report. In this episode of Cut the Crop she discusses the implications and potential costs.

Mid Canterbury arable grower Simon Lochhead is a member of a Growers Leading Change group injecting liquid fertiliser and biological products into the soil. In this episode of Cut the Crop he tells Alison Stewart that it is a way of future-proofing his farm from the loss of conventional chemistry.

A five-year weed survey has shown that resistance to commonly used herbicides is widespread on arable farms. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR senior field officer Ben Harvey tells Alison Stewart that by varying the rotation and herbicide chemistry, growers can reduce the risk.

A Mid Canterbury Growers Leading Change group is looking at ways to reduce applications of synthetic nitrogen to maintain profit and contribute to environmental compliance. In this episode of Cut the Crop, group member Darryl Oldham says that nitrogen alternatives including biological products and legumes are promising.

Consent objections, Jobs for Nature, chainsaw safety and Growsafe courses. One Canterbury Catchment Group, Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture Inc, is active in a range of activities aimed at making members’ lives easier. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR CEO Alison Stewart talks to ESAI member David Birkett about how the group formed, and how it has grown in the last 20 years.

Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture Inc www.esai.co.nz

Project Tinaku www.esai.co.nz/projects/

Fungicides are still effective in controlling Septoria tritici blotch in cereals, but small sensitivity shifts indicate a potential pathway to resistance. In this week’s Cut the Crop FAR senior cereals researcher Jo Drummond says that while it is tempting to keep using the same reliable products, growers need to act now to preserve chemistry.

Cultivation practices can influence important soil properties, which in turn can affect the short- and long-term profitability and sustainability of arable cropping systems. FAR’s Abie Horrocks explains how reducing tillage can build resilience in arable systems. 

The decision by ProductionWise’s owners, ReGrow, to discontinue the platform, has left many arable farmer users unsure of what to do next. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR CEO Alison Stewart provides advice on what to do with your data and what to look for in an alternative provider.

Celebrated senior researcher Phil Rolston reflects on his long career and says that despite retiring from FAR he enjoys the industry too much to walk away entirely. In this episode of Cut the Crop he tells Anna Heslop about how New Zealand’s natural advantages and collaborative industry approach are the envy of the world’s other seed producing regions.

FAR’s biennial conference is being held at the Lincoln Event Centre on June 29-30. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR's Alison Stewart and Anna Heslop preview why it is a must for growers, with a line-up of leading national and international speakers covering topics such as nutrient use efficiency, future-focused research, keeping up with agrichemicals and their alternatives, and soil management.