Cut the Crop!: Recent Episodes
Foundation for Arable Research (NZ)
Welcome to Cut the Crop! - keeping you in the know about everything you grow.
Presented by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), an applied research and information transfer organisation responsible primarily to New Zealand arable growers.
Researchers, growers and other interesting folk delivering insights and information on topics ranging from agronomy to profitability. Tune in weekly to cultivate your knowledge and add value to your cropping business.
www.cutthecrop.co.nz
For more information about FAR visit: www.far.org.nz
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.
Winner of the 2023 Arable Environmental and Sustainability Award, South Canterbury grower Andrew Darling is using technology such as a tractor-cab mounted N sensor to reduce crop inputs. He tells Alison Stewart that moving from standard blanket applications to variable rate in wheat saved 50kg/ha in nitrogen last season without any marked reduction in yield.
FAR researcher Richard Chynoweth, along with about 30 other NZ growers and industry people, attended the International Herbage Seed Conference in France. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he provides some insights into the advantages NZ growers have over their northern hemisphere counterparts.
Voting papers have arrived in growers’ mailboxes for the FAR referendum, which determines its future. In this episode of Cut the Crop, CEO Alison Stewart explains how FAR is able to leverage its relatively small budget to provide growers with crop research that drives yields and farm profitability while meeting new environmental requirements.
Climate changes mean the South Island could become a major growing region for maize, but different management to North Island standard practice may be needed. Researcher Owen Gibson told FAR’s conference that narrow row spacing, being trialled in Canterbury, could be a way of increasing maize yields in cooler climates.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FAR’s senior maize researcher David Densley is a big fan of ProductionWise, a farm management software tool available to arable farmers. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Anna Heslop that it's a great way to benchmark one paddock against another, as well as comparing performance within a group of farmers.
A Lighter Touch is a $27 million, seven-year collaboration between the horticulture, arable and wine sectors to shift the focus from traditional crop protection. A Lighter Touch’s programme director Livia Esterhazy tells Alison Stewart that a lot of tools and technologies are being tested from biologicals and beneficials to AI, with a goal of being adopted by growers.
Fred Below, Crop Sciences Professor, University of Illinois, is keynote speaker at FAR’s premium maize field day at its Tamahere research site near Hamilton in February. FAR’s David Densley tells Alison Stewart that with fertiliser costs and environmental requirements increasing it’s an opportune time to catch up with the latest maize research.
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.
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 co-ordinator Philippa Rawlinson tells Alison Stewart that she encourages any grower with a potential topic, for learning and sharing, to get involved.
With nitrogen prices at least doubling over the last year, and nitrogen fertiliser contributing to nitrous oxide emissions, growers have plenty of incentive to test for soil fertility. FAR’s David Densley tells Alison Stewart that by using deep N sampling, maize growers may be surprised by how much N is already freely available in their soil.
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.
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.
FAR is setting up a new investment fund to support arable focussed 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.
FAR’s latest Cereal Disease Management Strategy booklet has just been released. Anna Heslop talks to FAR senior cereal researcher Jo Drummond, who says growers need to ensure that their chemical arsenal is still fit for purpose and consider cultivar choice and management in these more challenging times.
Description: Understanding whether any of the invasive fall armyworms which were found in New Zealand earlier this year have survived the winter is the first step in deciding the next course of action in this biosecurity response. Anna Heslop talks to biosecurity researcher Scott Hardwick, from AgResearch, about what's being done, and how you can be involved.
FAR has a busy schedule of research focused on maize production. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR researcher David Densley tells Alison Stewart that as well as being focused on building resilience to financial, climate and environmental changes, some of its future-focused research is the first of its type in New Zealand.
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.
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.
Maize growers are facing the headwinds of increasing cost of production, climate changes and environmental considerations, says FAR researcher David Densley. In this episode of Cut the Crop he outlines to Anna Heslop some of the key messages from a series of winter maize workshops on how growers can sustainably achieve higher yields.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 can it can work in New Zealand arable systems.
What do you do when you’re worried about the influence of climate variability on disease and grain quality in your region? A group of Hawkes Bay cereal growers set up an Arable Growth Group to address their concerns. Anna Heslop talks to group leader Simon White about what they are trying to achieve.
Alison Stewart and Ivan Lawrie from FAR discuss the ongoing biosecurity response to fall armyworm, the likelihood of it establishing in New Zealand and the plan for monitoring its potential spread in the coming year.
Rocketing prices and environmental responsibility are two key factors leading arable growers to think carefully about nitrogen inputs. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Anna Heslop talks to Growers Leading Change facilitator Donna Lill who is looking for growers to join a national project trying out some of the new and alternative N options on the market on-farm.
Find out more about the alternative N project herewww.far.org.nz/articles/1673/reducing-synthetic-n-use-with-alternative-n-sources
In this episode of Cut the Crop, Alison Stewart talks to Fiona Burnett, from Scotland’s Rural College about Ramularia. They cover current chemical control options and possible future solutions for this “complex beast” which has a nasty back record of breaking fungicides.
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.
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.
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.
Right now, is the key risk period for the introduction of YDV into cereal crops, which means it’s a key time for decision making around aphid management. In this episode of Cut the Crop, we talk to FAR Cereal Researcher Jo Drummond about aphid monitoring and what actions should be considered in the next couple of weeks.
For more information visit:
Latest aphid and beneficial numbers
Aphid monitoring guide
A group of young North Otago arable growers are working together to understand how to reduce costs and increase profitability on their farms. Alison Stewart talks to Henry Mitchell about what they’ve learned in their first few months together.
For more information on Growers Leading Change visit, www.far.org.nz/growers_leading_change
Many people think that IPM is complex and is something that you either do or don’t do, on-farm. But Fiona Burnett and Harry Creissen from the Scottish Rural College disagree, saying IPM is a continuum, and that most arable growers are already on-board, even if they don’t know it! Alison Stewart talks to them about their research.
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/
Scottish farmer and agronomist, Gordon Rennie, aka “The Oatfather” talks to Alison Stewart about the how the war in Ukraine is affecting friends living there, UK fuel and fertiliser prices and world food security. He also takes time to remind us that “we don’t know how lucky we are”!
Three months into 2022 and there’s been a lot going on for FAR and the arable industry. FAR CEO Alison Stewart joins Anna Heslop to talk about the weather, harvesting trials, greenhouse gas consultations and biosecurity incursions.
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.
A Growers Leading Change group in Eiffelton, near Ashburton, is investigating options for improving both environmental issues and farm profits. In this episode of Cut the Crop we talk to neighbours Will McKenzie and Angus McKenzie about why they set up the group and what they’ve learned in their first year.
For more information visit, https://www.far.org.nz/growers_leading_change
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
You can’t do much about the weather, but you can choose a cereal cultivar that will be better able to cope with whatever the seasons throw at it.
That’s the message from FAR Cereal Researcher Jo Drummond in this episode of Cut the Crop, which identifies some potential disease hangovers from the most recent harvest season and how they might affect following crops.
The wet summer didn’t help harvest much, but it’s been great for slugs, grass grub and weed seed set. In this edition of Cut the Crop, Richard Chynoweth advises arable growers to monitor pests before and after sowing and make sure they have access to the chemicals they need for weed control.
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 herehttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CGR67Q7
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.
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
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
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.
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
FAR CEO Alison Stewart talks to Hugh Ritchie about his three years as Board Chair… what’s worked and what’s still a work in progress.
FAR’s Jo Drummond explains why now is a good time to start preparing silos for the upcoming harvest…and how to do it right!
For more info:
Understanding stored grain pests - https://www.far.org.nz/articles/71/c210-understanding-stored-grain-pests
Regular monitoring protects grain quality - https://www.far.org.nz/articles/72/c211-regular-monitoring-protects-grain-quality
FAR is involved in a range of international, national and on-farm biosecurity initiatives aimed at protecting our sector. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s GM R&D, Andy Pitman, outlines some examples of this work.
For more information, B3 - Better Border Bioprotection
In this episode of Cut the Crop, Irrigation NZ Chief Executive Vanessa Winning talks to Alison Stewart about the organisation’s three big issues: policy, perception and industry training.
Irrigation NZ website
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
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/
A seven year project measuring just how much nitrogen is lost from arable systems has found that there are no good or bad crops, but there are definitely good and bad years. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s Diana Mathers discusses the findings of the fluxmeter SFF project, and how they can be used to support on-farm decision making.
Link: https://www.far.org.nz/articles/1545/nitrogen-the-confidence-to-cut-back-far-focus-14
Drone flies are great pollinators of hybrid vegetable seed crops. In this episode of Cut the Crop we talk to Dr. Brad Howlett from Plant & Food Research about just how easy it is to support honey bee pollination by breeding drone flies in the paddock where you need them.
For more information, visit https://www.far.org.nz/articles/1564/managing-drone-flies-for-pollination
It’s decision time for cereal and grass seed crops! In this episode of Cut the Crop, we talk to FAR’s Jo Drummond and Richard Chynoweth about what factors to consider around weed, pest and disease management, closing dates, nutrients and irrigation.
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.
With greenhouse gas emissions compliance deadlines looming, FAR has developed two DIY tools to help arable farmers calculate and understand their on-farm situation.
In this edition of Cut the Crop, FAR environment researchers Dirk Wallace and Turi McFarlane explain the E-Check emissions calculator and the Arable Greenhouse Gas Emissions planning module.
Anna Heslop talks to FAR CEO Alison Stewart about the impacts of the most recent Covid lockdown, some new tools and resources for growers, what’s happening in the field.
Soil quality changes over the rotation are important indicators of how management decisions affect soil quality. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Anna Heslop talks to Abie Horrocks about how to carry out your own DIY soil quality test, and what the results may mean.
How to do a mini-VSA assessment
FAR researcher Jo Drummond talks to Anna Heslop about how to get the most bang for your nitrogen buck in the coming season.
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
In the second 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 New Zealand farmers and growers are being asked to respond to the climate crisis.
New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre
On this episode Alison Stewart checks in with growers Hew Dalrymple in Bulls, Andrew Darling in Timaru and Craig Whiteside in Clinton to see what the 2020-21 season has handed them. Handy hint…it’s a pretty mixed bag!
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.
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.
Catch crops like forage oats provide are a great way to suck up excess nitrogen after winter grazing, protecting your farm from leaching losses. In this episode, Anna Heslop talks to Peter Carey from Lincoln Agritech, about why it’s important to get catch crops in as soon as grazing is completed. He also touches on the use of A Spader drill in Southland.
Applications for FAR’s 2022-2023 Graduate Programme are open until mid-August. In this episode, we talk to current grad, Fiona Anderson, about how the programme works, and what she’s been up to in her first six months. Spoiler alert…she’s loving it!
FAR Graduate Programme Application form
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.
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.
Insecticide seed treatments are starting to wear off as tillering begins, so late-autumn-early winter is a potential risk period for aphids in autumn sown wheat crops. But, says FAR cereal researcher Jo Drummond, before you start applying chemicals, get out and see if the ‘good guys’ are saving you some time and money by doing the job for you.
From herbicide efficacy and grain storage pests, to closing dates for fescue and cocksfoot. FAR’s Jo Drummond and Richard Chynoweth discuss what arable growers should be thinking about now…as autumn turns to winter.
FAR’s David Densely is a big fan of strip-till and no-till maize establishment. In this episode, David talks to Anna Heslop about the benefits of reducing cultivation in maize systems.
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.
Take one pair of cotton undies and one spade…that’s all you need to carry out a slightly unusual on-farm trial aimed at monitoring soil health. FAR’s Abie Horrocks explains the Soil your Undies campaign, where the rate of decomposition of a pair of cotton undies, provides an indicator of soil microbial activity.
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.
Looking for an A grade in your farm environment plan audit?
In this episode, Anna Heslop asks FEP auditor Sue Cumberworth how the audit process works and what she wants to see and hear during an audit visit; and learns how to shift a B grade to an A.
Seed and Grain Readiness and Response (SGRR), the arable industry’s biosecurity group, formally signed up to a Government Industry Agreement (GIA) with MPI in June last year. The GIA agreement included the mechanism to set a biosecurity levy, and FAR is currently carrying out formal consultation and notification of this process. In this episode, Alison Stewart explains how and when the levy will be activated, and who pays.
A large proportion of the wheat milled in New Zealand is imported.In this episode, FAR’s Ivan Lawrie does some myth-busting around why this is the case, and outlines a project aimed at improving grower returns by increasing consumer demand for New Zealand ‘grown’ bread.
FEPs, Freshwater Plans, Integrated Farm Plans…there’s a lot of talk about planning at present! In this episode, Alison Stewart talks to FAR Environmental Researcher Turi McFarlane about the range of farm plans currently under consideration, how they link to regulation and what arable farmers can do now, to get ahead in the planning game!
One quick quote and a couple of video grabs highlighted. Also a couple of suggested deletions to tidy things up (if they work).
From grassweeds to soil health and everything in between. Erica Callaghan, the National Coordinator of FAR’s Growing Leading Change programme talks to Alison Stewart about some of the Arable Growth Groups that are already up and running within this new knowledge exchange programme, and what’s coming next.
FAR’s Jo Drummond discusses the benefits of considering disease resistance ratings when choosing your autumn sown wheat cultivars, providing tips for cutting back on spending…not on yield.
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.
Is the New Zealand arable industry hiding its light under a bushel? Anna Heslop talks to FAR CEO Alison Stewart about what policymakers and the public know about arable systems and products, and how FAR is working to change that.
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.
Welcome back to our first episode for 2021!
Late summer is the key time for an on-farm velvetleaf search and destroy mission…this season’s plants will be well established, but won’t have set seed yet. AgResearch Weed Scientist Dr Trevor James chats to Alison Stewart about ongoing research into velvetleaf management and reminds growers what to look for when checking crops.
Back in 2012, 20 tonnes of feed wheat per hectare was a pretty ambitious research goal. In this episode of Cut the Crop, cereal researcher Jo Drummond explains the impact of sowing dates and disease resistance on yields and how close we got to that magic number.
Alison Stewart and David Densley, FAR’s new senior maize researcher, discuss strip-till and no-till maize establishment systems and outline some December 2020 North Island maize events.
What is deficit irrigation? Is variable rate irrigation a good investment? FAR Environmental Researcher, Dirk Wallace, talks to Alison Stewart about how to ensure your maximising the value of irrigation on your farm.
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.
This week’s road trip calls in to Waikato and Rangitikei in the North Island and then down to Mid and South Canterbury.
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.
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.
Leeston arable farmer and regen ag proponent David Birkett is back, talking to Alison Stewart about how he uses cover crops to improve soil quality on his farm.
Alison Stewart and Phil Rolston discuss the emerging impacts of diseases of vegetable seeds on international markets, and outline management options in the field, with a focus on protecting fungicides against the development of resistance.
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.
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 Chris Dillon in Gore, Earl Worsfold in Darfield, Simon White in Otane and Graeme Austin in the Waikato, talking about irrigation, snow, environmental regulation and a whole host of other interesting stuff.
How much do bees like radish and carrot seed crops? Are there any other options to add to the pollination mix? In the episode, we talk to Brad Howlett from Plant & Food Research about the role of alternative pollinators, and some SIRC funded research which is focusing on DIY drone fly delivery services.
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.
Arable farmer David Birkett explains that the regenerative agriculture label can encompass everything from organic to conventional systems, and outlines his regen ag goal of developing a system to protect the soil and reduce synthetic inputs while maintaining yield and profit. He also notes that while regen ag is being promoted as the latest thing, many of its approaches are quite traditional.
FAR herbage researcher Richard Chynoweth explains why Italian and perennial grasses need different treatment, the importance of grazing and silage cutting heights, and how using your eyes instead of your calendar to make final decisions can make a big difference to your final seed yields.
He also has a warning about keeping all traffic to tramlines in seed crops.
Read more in Cropping Strategies: Closing date in ryegrass seed crops
Uneven lime spreading can add to paddock and crop yield variability. Allister Holmes talks to Alison Stewart about what the research has shown about just how variable lime spreading can be within a single paddock, and what can be done to ensure more uniform application.
Read more: X125 Reducing variability in lime application by ground spreaders
Soil N test results are all over the place this spring. In this episode, FAR’s Richard Chynoweth discusses N testing, N-use efficiency and how it all impacts on grass seed yields. He also touches on liquid N and fertigation, foliar testing and a whole lot more!
Resources:
FAR Strategy Issue 5 - Nitrogen in Perennial Ryegrass Seed Crops
Paddock selection, planting speed and harvest drum settings will all affect seed pea yield and quality. Adrian Russell from Plant Research (NZ) Ltd reminds Alison Stewart how important it is to get the basics right and outlines some interesting pea breeding projects that are underway.
www.cutthecrop.co.nz
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.
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The Brothers Green supply a range of hemp based foods via mainstream supermarkets, whole food stores and on-line. Founders Brad Lake and Brendon McIntosh have taken just three and a half year to develop their products, set up a company to contract farmers to grow the hemp, and build a plant to process it. They’re a great example of how guts and passion can add a whole new crop and product to the value chain.
www.cutthecrop.co.nz
Is maize silage a viable crop option for South Island growers? What about maize grain? Chris Sanders, Agronomist for Corson Maize, outlines the pros and cons, noting that it’s all about maturity times and making sure there’s a market for your crop.
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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.
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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
Food provenance, digital high streets and seeking out niche markets…what are the opportunities and what can we do to make the most of them? Ian Proudfoot, author of the recently released 2020 KPMG Agribusiness Agenda, talks all thing arable with FAR CEO Alison Stewart.
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Altering cows’ diets to include arable products such as grains, and maize and cereal silages can reduce urinary N concentrations and methane emissions, whilst maintaining or increasing milk quality and production. Pablo Gregorini, Professor of Livestock Production at Lincoln University explains the research.
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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.
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The arable industry has tackled several weed, pest and disease incursions in recent years. FAR’s Ivan Lawrie discusses how the arable industry has responded to these, and what’s being done to manage new threats such as Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Fall Army Worm.
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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.
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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.
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FAR’s ProductionWise® recording system just got better…it can now export farm data directly to OverseerFM. ProductionWise® Manager, Melanie Bates explains how this development will save time and money for growers developing OverseerFM nutrient budgets.
www.productionwise.co.nz
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
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Biopesticides…What are they? Do they work? How? What questions should you ask before buying them? FAR CEO Prof Alison Stewart outlines the pros and cons of these new technologies and how they can fit into integrated weed, pest and disease management programmes on your farm.
Resources:
- Biopesticides - Good Management Factsheet
www.cutthecrop.co.nz
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 Steve Wilkins in Southland, Steven Bierema in Mid-Canterbury, Hugh Ritchie in Hawkes Bay and Alan Henderson in Waikato, talking about the COVID-19 lockdown period and the transition from harvesting last year’s crops to establishing this year’s.
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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
What’s happening in the US corn world? Allister Holmes (FAR) returns from the Mid-west with the latest on US climate, corn markets, machinery and more.
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How well do you understand the nitrogen cycle and the different soil tests associated with growing crops? Farm Systems expert Diana Mathers (FAR) runs through a quick Nitrogen 101 refresher and touches on a couple of soil N test options.
Resources:
- Quick Test Mass Balance Tool & User Guide
- AmaizeN
- Cereal Disease Management
- Nitrogen in Perennial Ryegrass Seed Crops
www.cutthecrop.co.nz
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.
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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.
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Cereal expert Jo Drummond (FAR) outlines some important genetic traits to look for when selecting cereal cultivars for the coming season.
Resources:
- FAR Cultivar Evaluation booklets
- Cereal Disease Management
www.cutthecrop.co.nz
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.
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