The current poor profitability in the New Zealand sheep industry means many sheep farmers are turning some of their land to cropping.

The low prices for store lambs when compared to improving grain prices, along with drought in many areas which has damaged pastures, means many sheep farmers are considering cropping as part of a pasture renewal cycle and to also improve incomes.

The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) welcomes on board Ingrid Platt who has joined the team as Trials Officer.

FAR's involvement in arable research and extension has grown over the years and as such, has clearly defined the need for a Trials Officer to come on board to fulfil a variety of roles.

Can falcons play a part in helping New Zealand arable growers control pest birds?

Today, falcon expert Nick Fox will demonstrate how falcons may have the potential to help New Zealand arable growers control pest birds in their crops.

Using the crop's canopy greenness as an indicator for nitrogen management and crop yield potential - using the GreenSeeker® System

In the US, Europe and Australia there is increasing interest in using crop sensors based on farm machinery (boom mounted) to monitor crop canopy performance. These sensors combined with GPS mapping can give us accurate pictures of both crop health and weed populations in different parts of the paddock.

Thursday 31st January 2008
FAR Waikato Arable Research Site
82 Oaklea Lane, Tamahere, Hamilton
10am to 2pm 

On Thursday 31st January, the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) will reveal the latest in maize research at a Major Field day in Hamilton.

This event will be held annually at the newly established FAR Waikato Arable Research Site and will give New Zealand maize growers an opportunity to see the latest developments in maize research which they can take away and implement in their own farming businesses.

On Thursday 6^th December, the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) will reveal the latest in arable research at its major open day of the year - ‘Combinable Crops 2007'.

This event, historically known as the FAR Arable Site Major Open day is now in its fifth year and with almost 400 through the gate at last year's event, it has undoubtedly grown into a key annual event for New Zealand arable farmers and industry personnel.

A new research project managed by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), co-funded by MAF Sustainable Farming Fund (MAF SFF), FAR, Environment Waikato and Dairy Insight is set to address two important questions:

1.      Can maize silage be used to strip nutrients from high nutrient soils?

2.      Can we substitute farm dairy effluent (FDE) for manufactured fertiliser on soils with low nutrient status?

A staggering 130 growers and industry personnel turned out to hear the latest on FAR's new research project - Sustainable Ryegrass Production.

This is one of the numerous FAR research projects to be successful in the recent MAF Sustainable Farming Fund (MAF SFF) funding round.

Richard Chynoweth, FAR Project Manager was accompanied by Phil Rolston of AgResearch and Murray Kelly of PGG Wrighton at meetings throughout Mid Canterbury to discuss what can be done to ensure higher and more consistent ryegrass seed yields. 

The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) invites Lincoln University students to apply for a one-year postgraduate scholarship

FAR believes there is a real opportunity for students to develop a career in the agricultural science and research arena, and for the second year invites Lincoln University students to apply for the FAR Postgraduate Scholarship, which will provide financial assistance with both course and day-to-day living fees.

Given the continued success of the FAR Arable Site at Chertsey, FAR is pleased to announce the opening of a second site based in the heart of the Waikato.Lease documents for the 2.4ha block on State Highway 1 at Tamahere, just south of Hamilton, were signed in June, after a 12-month hunt to find the right piece of land.