Staff of FAR

  • Portrait of Nick Pyke

    Nick Pyke

    Chief Executive
    Nick has been responsible for the successful operation of FAR since its formation in March 1995. As Chief Executive of FAR, Nick manages the budgeting, finances, the overview of commodity levy collection, the management of staff and he reports back to government and ministers in regard to the Commodity Levies Act. Nick also currently holds positions on a number of industry and science committees.

  • Portrait of Nick Poole

    Nick Poole

    Research Co-ordinator
    Nick is responsible for the co-ordination of FAR's current research programme in Australia, paid for by the Australian levy body Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC). This research programme, involving co-operative studies with several Australian farming groups, examines the influence of disease management and canopy management in cereals. Nick is also responsible for most of the systems based research projects on establishment and crop rotations. He assists the team in Lincoln with technical input to many other projects but in particular those involving agrichemicals, nutrients and herbage seed. Nick joined FAR from the Arable Research Centres in the UK in early 2003. He was awarded the Seed of Light award by GRDC in 2005 for his contribution to cereals research and extension in Australia.

  • Portrait of Diana Mathers

    Diana Mathers

    Diana Mathers, Research Co-ordinator
    Diana is responsible for managing FAR's research and extension activities for the national maize industry, both in terms of grain and silage and in FAR's soil research and extension activities throughout New Zealand. Diana determines trial priorities, develops trial protocols, is involved in negotiations with research providers, co-ordinates 'in-field' trials, field research and the delivery of research results back to growers and industry personnel. Diana is also involved in extension activities such as Arable Updates, field days, regionally-based discussion groups and regular maize emails throughout the growing season.
  • Portrait of Rob Craigie

    Rob Craigie

    Project Manager
    Rob joined FAR in June of 2007. Holding a Masters of Horticulture Science degree, Rob has a variety of knowledge which is a great asset in the ongoing maintenance and development of new research projects in the areas of cereals, cultivar evaluations and irrigation. Rob is also involved in delivering the results of these research projects to farmers and industry personnel at FAR workshops, field days, conferences and discussion sessions.

  • Portrait of Richard Chynoweth

    Richard Chynoweth

    Project Manager
    Richard joined FAR in November 2005 and has responsibility for managing ongoing research projects in the areas of herbage seed and vegetable seed, primarily focusing on issues such as pollination, bee activity and nitrogen. Richard, a familiar face to many growers speaks publicly on his areas of expertise at FAR workshops and field days.

  • Portrait of Mike Parker

    Mike Parker

    Project Manager
    Mike is responsible for defining research priorities for a range of the key areas within FAR (in consultation with FAR research committees, FAR staff and the arable industry) to deliver benefits to the producers and users. This is primarily in the area of maize silage and grain production. However Mike also works in cooperation with other crop projects, particularly in the environmental areas and in other crop options from time to time.

  • Portrait of Tracey Wylie

    Tracey Wylie

    Trials Officer
    Tracey works predominantly in the South Island with occasional visits to Australia as required. Her areas of responsibility include faba bean research, precision agriculture and research in Australia. Planning and assessing research trials, protocols, treatment and designs is a key constituent of her role, with the management process of these trials such as application of nutrients, cultivation, water and agrichemical application. External research providers liaise with Tracey where cooperative and coordinated research is applicable.

  • Portrait of Julie Sime

    Julie Sime

    Trials Officer
    Julie works closely with the FAR Project Managers offering support in all areas of crop research. Planning and assessing research trials, protocols, treatment and designs is a key constituent of her role, with the management process of these trials such as application of nutrients, cultivation, water and agrichemical application. Julie is also responsible for the maintenance of the FAR weather stations.

  • Portrait of Jennifer Linton

    Jennifer Linton

    Trials Officer
    Jennifer works predominantly in the South Island with occasional visits to the North Island as required. Her main areas of responsibility include support for vegetable seed, birds and oilseed rape research. Jennifer is also involved in the Arable Ys and Arable Business Sustainability projects offering planning, co-ordination and facilitation roles. Planning and assessing research trials, protocols, treatment and designs is a key constituent of her role, with the management process of these trials such as application of nutrients, cultivation, water and agrichemical application.

  • Portrait of Rachel Greenwood

    Rachel Greenwood

    Communications Manager
    Rachel commenced work with FAR at the end of 2005 and is responsible for the co-ordination of FAR workshops, field days and conferences, and in addition maintains the delivery of valuable information to farmers and related industry through FAR Arable Updates, FAR booklets, media relations, FAR newsletter, FAR website and FAR e-notifations such as Crop @ction and Maize @ction. Rachel also coordinates FAR Postgraduate Scholarships and FAR Summer Scholarships. Rachel moved to New Zealand in 2005 after working in the marketing and PR arena in the UK for 10 years. Rachel spent her upbringing on a sheep, beef and dairy farm in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Rachel is a member of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ).
  • Portrait of Melanie Bond

    Melanie Bond

    Administration Manager
    Mel joined FAR in October 2001. Mel is responsible for the management of all FAR's administration. Her role also includes that of Board Secretary and PA to the Chief Executive, database maintenance, domestic and international travel bookings, arranging venue bookings, catering requirements and minute taking for meetings. Mel also assists with the facilitation of Women in Arable.

  • Portrait of Melanie Bates

    Melanie Bates

    Finance Manager and Project Support
    Melanie is responsible for all business and research project related finances and also manages the FAR levy income. Melanie is a familiar face to many growers after being involved in the Arable Business Sustainability Project. Melanie joined FAR in March 2008 after relocating from the UK where she was owner and operator of an on-farm client based accounting business. Melanie holds a National Certificate in Agriculture, a National Certificate in Dairying and a National Certificate in Farm Accounting.


  • Portrait of Jenna McDonald

    Jenna McDonald

    Administration Assistant
    Jenna's role is to offer general adminstrative support to the FAR staff, including dealing with telephone enquiries, cleaning and udpating of the FAR database, assisting with mailouts to growers and offering support at FAR field days and conferences.