Growers Leading Change Resources
Growers Leading Change groups and Pathfinder Farms have developed or commissioned a number of resources to fill gaps in their knowledge and to share what they have learned. These range from summaries of try-outs they have run as groups to calculators to assist with decision making around things like nitrogen application or machinery purchase.
On this page you can find a brief summary of each of the resources, along with a link which will allow you to read and/or download it. Be aware that these resources have been developed by farmers to inform other farmers of the work they have been doing. They are not formal reports or replicated trial results.
Waikato N-source AGG try-out (Year 1)
This resource reports on a 2022/23 try-out aimed at identifying alternative-N sources that could enable arable growers to maintain profit and contribute to environmental compliance.
Using technology to measure and manage soil variability and its effect on yield
This resource reports on a Pathfinder farm project investigating technology for scanning soils as a way to map differences in nutrient supply.
Over-sowing forage or cover crops into senescent maize
This resource reports on a Pathfinder farm project investigating options for establishing cover crops into standing maize.
Impacts of Trichoderma atroviride strain LU123 on wheat establishment and yield
This resource reports on a 2022-23 on-farm try-out comparing wheat establishment and yield from three different seed treatments.
Mid-Canterbury alternative N-source AGG try-out
This resource reports on a 2022-23 on-farm try-out comparing autumn sown wheat yields between treatments of (1) 70% of standard nitrogen rate applied with 8l of Waikaitu NZBioAmino and (2) a standard grower N treatment.
Considerations for Liquid Injection Systems
This guide provides an overview of three different liquid injection systems built or purchased by group members.
Machinery operational cost calculator
This calculator allows the user to enter details of machinery expenses, work rate and labour costs to estimate total operational cost per hectare.
Manawatu/Rangitikei crop establishment and soil quality
This resource reports on a 2022-23 on-farm try-out, in Manawatu-Rangitikei, demonstrating the relative impact of different planting practices on maize establishment, growth and yield.
Guide to running your own on-farm trial
On-farm trials provide an economical way of comparing management options, on both a practical and economic level, without exposing yourself to needless risk. Growers Leading Change (GLC) has updated a series of booklets, originally produced with SFF funding, to help you design and run a reliable on-farm trial. This series of booklets will help you design and run a reliable on-farm trial. Much of the information is also relevant for try-outs (less rigorous on-farm studies) or demonstrations. Read them here