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A word from the Chairman After a much simpler harvest season compared to last year, we now face crop establishment in a very dry environment, especially the North Island. The dry was late enough in the growing season to allow reasonable yields, except for the late season crops such as unirrigated maize. We can only hope that the drought breaks and doesn’t continue to have lasting effects into next spring. FAR’s ability to service the North Island has always been an issue due to both the geographic distances and the range of climatic conditions that exist across the island. A proposal is currently before the FAR Board that would see the North Island divided into three zones instead of the current two. These new proposed zones would comprise of Northern North Island, East Coast North Island and South West North Island. Each region has differing and specific crops and issues, and the ability to target growers in each region with the information that is relevant to their zone is a more efficient way of grower extension than a blanket approach. The three zone system would also help with logistics around regional Arable Research Group (ARG) meetings, and the ability to organise field days that are relevant to the issues and crops of each region. The proposed increase in irrigation schemes also means there is a potential increase in arable areas, especially along the east coast and the ability to utilise existing irrigation research. industry wide issues, and individual companies asking growers what areas of contention can be discussed and addressed. This free discussion between growers and merchants, around crop requirements and contract clauses can only help us better understand each-others’ businesses, leading to greater level of trust and an end result that we are all happy with. The more information that is shared between each party, the better the chance of a quality product being produced, which is what we need to maintain our international reputation of producing high quality seeds. At the board level we have had a change representing the Northern North Island, with Alan Henderson replacing Colin Jackson. We would like to welcome Alan onto the board and thank Colin for his contribution to the organisation and for representing Northern North Island growers. Let’s hope we receive some good moisture during the winter and set us up for a good spring. - David Birkett This change would mean a change to the make-up of the board, with seven elected grower representatives instead of the current six, and up to three appointed representatives. This would increase the grower representation on the board, assuring that growers’ concerns are addressed. Meetings will be held with the affected ARGs and growers to get input and feedback on the proposal. The interactions amongst our grain and seed merchants and growers have steadily increased over the last few years. This is partly due to the loss of land to the dairy sector and an understanding from both sides that we are all in this industry together and without each other we don’t have an industry. It has been great to see increased communication with the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA) over 6
The research funding pipeline - How to keep the arable research flowing FAR has taken an active role in developing arable research bids for the $38 million Biological Industries Research Fund managed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Director of Research Development Roger Williams says FAR is working closely with universities, CRIs and other industry good bodies to develop project proposals that are focused on the needs of the cropping sector. “We have helped tailor research programme objectives to arable sector problems, we have committed to hands-on involvement in several of the proposed programmes through the work of our own team of trials and agronomy experts, and, of course, we have undertaken to deliver practical outcomes from the work to cropping farmers. “By supporting certain programmes with hands-on involvement and not simply cash investment, we will have much greater influence over the outcomes and be much better placed to ensure that the work delivers bottom-line benefits to arable farmers around the country. “Dynamic and successful industries depend on a strong flow of science down a pipeline that is usually fed by curiositydriven ‘blue-skies’ research, which establishes new scientific understanding and methodology; progresses to nearermarket, strategic research focused on addressing specific and well-defined issues and concludes with applied research, development and extension which translates new information from strategic research into practical outcomes. “Until recently, levy organisations have primarily provided co-investment into MBIE-type research programmes and left CRI and university scientists to do the work. However, over recent years FAR has adopted a more proactive role in the development and delivery of strategic research for the cropping industry. Successful proposals in this funding round will feed the pipeline for the next five to six years so it is critical for our sector to be engaged. “The research pipeline in New Zealand is in better shape than in some other developed countries, but we need to influence investment in the science that feeds it from top to bottom. I hope to be able to report on some successful, crop-focused MBIE funding applications later in the year. In the meantime, everyone at FAR is keeping their fingers crossed.” The project bids FAR is involved with include those investigating aspects of seed technology, pollination, endophyte, weeds, biopesticides, crops for animals and irrigation. 7
Page 1 and 2: From the Ground Up ISSUE 73 I Autu
Page 3 and 4: Welcome to the Autumn edition of Fr
Page 5: Great white butterfly - what is the
Page 9 and 10: 20 tonnes by 2020 It’s not that u
Page 11 and 12: Drought and dryland maize About 95%
Page 13 and 14: Tan spot Tan spot is an uncommon we
Page 15 and 16: ProductionWise ® is here! Producti
Page 17 and 18: Managing nutrient losses from cropp
Page 19 and 20: Otago winners South Canterbury/Nort
Page 21 and 22: Masters for Richard Congratulations
Page 23 and 24: Members of the FAR Board DAVID BIRK

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