About the Foundation for Arable Research
Who We Are
How FAR is funded
Crops FAR collects levies from:
Structure
Objectives
Areas of Research Funded
How is information transferred?
Links to Arable Research Centres (ARC) U.K
Why do research in N.Z?
Benefits FAR offers
Research, Information Transfer and Education Strategy
Who We Are
The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is an applied research organisation responsible to New Zealand arable growers and is involved in funding of arable research and technology transfer. FAR was formed in 1995 and operates under the Commodity Levy Legislation. FAR needs to hold a referendum of growers every five years and in the referendum in 2005, FAR received over 80% support from arable growers who voted and 60% support from maize growers who voted.
How FAR is funded
An Arable Commodity Levy is collected at the first point sale for all grain and seed, with the exception of maize which is collected on the seed purchased. The levy rates for 2010 remain the same as 2009 at:
- Maize - 90c per 10,000 seeds purchased.
- Herbage and amenity seed - 0.8% of sale value.
- All other grain and seed crops (cereals, pulses etc) - 0.8% of sale value.
- Open pollinated vegetable seed crops - 0.8% of sale value.
- Hybrid vegetable seed crops - 0.5% of sale value.
- Onion seed crops will be zero rated.
FAR also receives funds from research grants, co-operative research and information sales.
Crops FAR collects levies from:
Wheat, Barley, Oats, Maize, Pulses, Herbage seeds, Brassicas, Borage and other arable crops. Vegetable seeds.
Structure
Arable Research Groups (ARG's)
Groups of growers elected by growers in six regions, responsible for organising local activities (eg. Seminars/field days), updating mailing lists, and identifying research priorities.
Strategic Research Committee
The FAR Strategic Research Committee (SRC) helps to ensure FAR invests in quality strategic research and extension activties which will deliver benefits to New Zealand arable farmers.
The SRC is comprised of selected farmers, FAR staff, research and industry personnel who are expected to provide a range of skills needed to have robust discussions and making decisions in relation to research investments in this area.
The SRC meets three times a year to visit field trials and meet with research providers, review project results and decide on research investment. Contact details for the SRC can be obtained form FAR.
FAR Board
Consists of the chairperson of each Arable Research Group and commodity/industry representatives.
Objectives
- Develop and maintain an accurate mail list.
- Develop a technical information database - this includes FAR funded research, ARC data, data from other NZ sources, information from HGCA and GRDC, data from overseas researchers.
- Communicate with growers using the most effective medium - Arable Updates, Arable Extras, newsletters, books, ARG and Research Committees, media (newspapers, radio, television), internet, email, video, field days and seminars, discussion groups and workshops, conferences, training courses and demonstration research.
- Develop effective communication strategies - with researchers, ARC, MRST, FRST, industry groups (seed companies, chemical companies, grower groups etc), both in NZ and overseas (including levy funded groups) and, where possible, develop cooperative research programmes.
- Develop effective communication with other related sectors such as the pastoral industry, vegetable industry etc and identify and cooperatively fund joint research and information transfer initiatives.
Areas of Research Funded
- Cultivar management trials - wheat, barley and peas.
- Disease/weed/pest management trials.
- Grain quality, grain and seed drying and storage.
- Management - fertilisers, sowing times and rates, irrigation etc.
- Soil quality and soil management - crop residue management, cultivation etc.
How is information transferred?
- Mail-outs - quarterly newsletter, Arable Updates (over 400 since 1995).
- Seminars
- Field-days and Discussion Groups
- Workshops
- Media eg. press releases and farming magazines
- Web site at www.far.org.nz.
- Books
- Conferences
- Weekly email updates
Subscriptions to FAR information for industry or non-arable growers are available at a cost.
Links to Arable Research Centres (ARC) U.K
- FAR has an information agreement with ARC, an independent grower funded research group in the United Kingdom.
- FAR are the sole recipients of ARC information in New Zealand.
- FAR is involved in collaborative research with ARC.
Why do Research in NZ?
Research in New Zealand:
- Can be very cost-effective due to exchange rates, availability of quality cost-effective research providers and land.
- Can allow you to produce two season's data in one year.
- Can help to develop a data set which will aid the registration, promotion or release of new products for the New Zealand market.
- Can be effective in early screening for suitability of products for New Zealand conditions
- Will be in a GE-free field environment.
Benefits FAR offers
- FAR can provide a total, independent New Zealand research management service - this includes identifying the best research provider, developing research contracts and effective costings, monitoring research planning and trial design, monitoring in-field research quality and progress reporting, interpreting data and ensuring reporting requirements are met and determining the correct conclusions are reached.
- FAR can often keep the costs of research to a minimum by incorporating treatments, such as the evaluation of agrichemicals or cultivars, into existing or planned research projects.
- Research results from FAR trials are viewed as independent and credible by New Zealand arable farmers, aiding the marketing of products to this group.
- FAR can ensure confidentiality of results from research where required.
- FAR is successful in communication and technology transfer to user groups.
For further information please contact: Nick Pyke, Chief Executive (PykeN at far.org.nz)
Research, Information Transfer and Education Strategy
Background
This research and information transfer and education strategy:
- Clearly defines for researchers the areas where FAR will consider funding research proposals.
- Identifies to science funding bodies the areas where FAR is prepared to commit funds and defines the importance of those areas.
- Identifies to other industry research funding groups and companies the areas where there are common research themes or priorities.
- Identifies to overseas researchers and science funding groups areas where there are opportunities to enter into cooperative research projects.
- Defines the priorities for information transfer and education to NZ arable farmers.
Principal Aims
- To co-operatively invest in, manage and deliver outcomes from a proactive, cost effective portfolio of research and development that will meet the needs of the arable industry and related industries to deliver benefits to New Zealand arable growers.
- To facilitate the flow of ideas and outcomes from New Zealand grant funded and international research either to New Zealand arable growers and the industry or to applied research programmes.
- To undertake and / or promote two-way information and technology transfer between industry, growers and researchers with due regard for the market and market trends.
- To improve the knowledge base of New Zealand arable growers.
Policy for FAR Research and Development
Levy funds will be invested in applied research, transfer of information and technology and education. The emphasis will be on developing a balanced investment portfolio that is designed to deliver outcomes to New Zealand arable growers to address the issues in both a short (3 years) and long (3-15 years) time frame. Product development work and plant breeding is the responsibility of individual companies but FAR does have a role in the evaluation of cultivars, products for a new use and research to compare products.
FAR occupies a vital bridging position as an investor in applied research and in the delivery of information and technologies developed from both government and industry investment in research.
The FAR research, information transfer and education portfolio will be developed with due regard for sustainable farming practices so a balanced portfolio of production, environmental and social research will be maintained at all times. The outcomes of the investment will deliver benefits which can be measured in the increased productivity, increased profitability and the retention or opportunity for the farm to certain practices.
FAR encourages the cooperative funding of research and information transfer with other industry groups or companies both nationally and internationally.
This strategy has four distinct reasearch goals:
Goal 1: New Innovative Products
Adding value through innovation with seed
a. Endophyte - deterrant endophytes in grasses for turf uses, endophytes in cereals to manage pests and diseases and the potential for endophytes in other crops, brassicas and maize. Priority A.
b. Vegetable Seed - specialist seed production techniques and systems to produce high quality seed of species suited to NZ environment. Priority A.
c. Cereal Seed - producing cereal seed for export to Australia. Priority B.
d. Advanced Herbage Seed Production - advanced seed production practices for non-determinate and grass species, plant physiology. Priority A.
Food/Smart products for the future
e. Protein Sources - Dairy Replacements - using a cereal as the main ingredient to produce oat ice-cream, yoghurt etc. Priority C.
f. Health Foods - bean snack foods from a grain protein source, innovative foods, glucagel, gluten free. Priority B.
g. Grain Products for Chaging World - udon noodles, rice, ethnic foods. Priority C.
h. Bio-Pesticides from Biomass - Use of straw and forage by-products from herbage seed production to produce biologically active compounds to control pests, diseases and promote growth. Priority A.
Goal 2: Feeding Environmentally Friendly Dairy and Intensive Livestock Industries
a. Supplements - grain/maize silage to reduce methane and nitrate emissions in animal production. Priority A
b. Additives - using grain/maize silage to balance the diet in cows and sheep to optimise animal performance, animal fertility etc, new protein grains (beans). Priority A.
a. Supplements - grain/maize silage to reduce methane and nitrate emissions in animal production. Priority A
b. Additives - using grain/maize silage to balance the diet in cows and sheep to optimise animal performance, animal fertility etc, new protein grains (beans). Priority A.
c. Replacements - total diets for pigs, poultry, sheep and beef to optimise aminal performance through use of cultivars, species and production systems. Priority B.
d. New Markets - Developing systems to produce quality feeds for the farmed fish industry. Priority B.
d. New Markets - Developing systems to produce quality feeds for the farmed fish industry. Priority B.
Goal 3: Building Better and More Robust Farms
Innovative farming practices
a. Remote Sensing - use of crop and soil sensors to manage nutrients, water, soil quality, etc. Priority A.
b. Intercropping/Multiple Crops - management of co-crops, crop sequences and rotations to deliver benefits such as improved nutrient use, weed control and soil quality. Priority A.
c. Precision Agriculture - improving the efficient application of inputs variable rate water/nutrients, reducing labour, reduced energy through reduced overlaps etc. Priority A.
d. Bioenergy - production and use, the use of by-producys straw etc to produce bioenergy. Priority C.
Sustainable farming systems
e. Water - understanding crop needs, delivering crop needs, whole farm water managemement, reducing nutrient losses, self management plans, efficient water use. Priority A.
f. Innovative Crop Establishment - use of modern equipment to reduce the number of passes through the crop, crop residue management, soil quality, crop rotations. Priority A.
g. Maintaining and Building Soil Carbon - use of residues, role of different carbon fractions, impact of cropping on soil carbon. Priority A.
h. Optimising Nutrient Use - self management plans for efficient nutrient use, crop models, soil movement. Priority A.
i. Reducing On-Farm Energy Use - improved efficiency of farming systems, reduced passes, new methods, cultivars etc. Priority A.
j. Protecting and Building Farm Biodiversity - beneficial species (including pollinators), modification of on-farm biodiversity, manipulating species to minimise pests (birds, insects etc). Priority B.
k. The Role of Animals - optimising returns through grazing crops (cereals, brassicas, grass), using animals to supply nutrients (effluent, strip grazing etc), weed, disease and pest management. Priority A.
Crop productivity
l.Species and Cultivars - evaluation to produce high yielding, high quality, fit for purpose grains and seeds to meet markets and match the environment current and future. Priority A.
m. Managing Pests, Weeds, Disease, Birds - integrated pest management, forecasting, agrichemical and crop residue management, biosecurity (internal and external). Priority A.
n. Crop Input Demands - defining crop water and nutrient, requirements, fertiliser, plant growth regulators (PGRs), new products etc. Priority A.
o. Getting it in the Bag - efficient pollination, harvest techniques, harvest losses, storage practices. Priority A.
Innovative farming practices
a. Remote Sensing - use of crop and soil sensors to manage nutrients, water, soil quality, etc. Priority A.
b. Intercropping/Multiple Crops - management of co-crops, crop sequences and rotations to deliver benefits such as improved nutrient use, weed control and soil quality. Priority A.
c. Precision Agriculture - improving the efficient application of inputs variable rate water/nutrients, reducing labour, reduced energy through reduced overlaps etc. Priority A.
d. Bioenergy - production and use, the use of by-producys straw etc to produce bioenergy. Priority C.
Sustainable farming systems
e. Water - understanding crop needs, delivering crop needs, whole farm water managemement, reducing nutrient losses, self management plans, efficient water use. Priority A.
f. Innovative Crop Establishment - use of modern equipment to reduce the number of passes through the crop, crop residue management, soil quality, crop rotations. Priority A.
g. Maintaining and Building Soil Carbon - use of residues, role of different carbon fractions, impact of cropping on soil carbon. Priority A.
h. Optimising Nutrient Use - self management plans for efficient nutrient use, crop models, soil movement. Priority A.
i. Reducing On-Farm Energy Use - improved efficiency of farming systems, reduced passes, new methods, cultivars etc. Priority A.
j. Protecting and Building Farm Biodiversity - beneficial species (including pollinators), modification of on-farm biodiversity, manipulating species to minimise pests (birds, insects etc). Priority B.
k. The Role of Animals - optimising returns through grazing crops (cereals, brassicas, grass), using animals to supply nutrients (effluent, strip grazing etc), weed, disease and pest management. Priority A.
Crop productivity
l.Species and Cultivars - evaluation to produce high yielding, high quality, fit for purpose grains and seeds to meet markets and match the environment current and future. Priority A.
m. Managing Pests, Weeds, Disease, Birds - integrated pest management, forecasting, agrichemical and crop residue management, biosecurity (internal and external). Priority A.
n. Crop Input Demands - defining crop water and nutrient, requirements, fertiliser, plant growth regulators (PGRs), new products etc. Priority A.
o. Getting it in the Bag - efficient pollination, harvest techniques, harvest losses, storage practices. Priority A.
Goal 4: Delivering Benefits and Outcomes
Business - building a resilient business - training
a. Managing Your People and Time - staff management etc Priority A.
b. Marketing Your Products/Business - training promotion, market opportunities, market trends. Priority A.
c. Planning for the Future - Strategic planning, business planning, succession planning. Priority A.
d. The Dollar Dimension - COP, benchmarking, financial management, machinery operation / replacement. Priority A
Telling and selliong the story
e. Information to and from Farmer and Industry - building benefits, extension, communication, liaison with farmers, effective use of farmer groups, participatory learning using verbal, written, visual and electronic tools. Priority A.
f. Influencing the Influencers - extension to and working with regional councils, government, other primary sectors. Priority A.
g. Bridging the Rural/Urban Divide - educating, informing the public. Priority B.
h. Advocacy of Science - outlining need, benefits and science outcomes. Priority A.
i. Communicating the Science - delivering to the international and national science community. Prioity B
FAR encourages farmers, researchers and industry to respond to these goals and develop innovative programmes to deliver outcomes to farmers. Key to the strategy is the delivery of information and knowledge to farmers in Goal 4.
Business - building a resilient business - training
a. Managing Your People and Time - staff management etc Priority A.
b. Marketing Your Products/Business - training promotion, market opportunities, market trends. Priority A.
c. Planning for the Future - Strategic planning, business planning, succession planning. Priority A.
d. The Dollar Dimension - COP, benchmarking, financial management, machinery operation / replacement. Priority A
Telling and selliong the story
e. Information to and from Farmer and Industry - building benefits, extension, communication, liaison with farmers, effective use of farmer groups, participatory learning using verbal, written, visual and electronic tools. Priority A.
f. Influencing the Influencers - extension to and working with regional councils, government, other primary sectors. Priority A.
g. Bridging the Rural/Urban Divide - educating, informing the public. Priority B.
h. Advocacy of Science - outlining need, benefits and science outcomes. Priority A.
i. Communicating the Science - delivering to the international and national science community. Prioity B
FAR encourages farmers, researchers and industry to respond to these goals and develop innovative programmes to deliver outcomes to farmers. Key to the strategy is the delivery of information and knowledge to farmers in Goal 4.