Speakers for this year's CROPS Expo, being held at FAR's Chertsey Arable Site on Wednesday 5th December, have been confirmed, with national and international speakers covering everything from cultivation to clover root weevil.
Well known UK agronomist expert Jim Orson returns, to discuss changes to international agrichemical regulations and the possible effects for New Zealand farmers. Mr Orson, based at Cambridge’s National Institute of Agricultural Botany – The Arable Group (NIAB TAG). Also appearing will be Paul Horne, from IPM Technologies in Australia. He will discuss the availability and effectiveness of integrated pest management strategies.
FAR’s Director of Research and Extension, Nick Poole says staff have worked hard to ensure that the programme includes a range of speakers and topics, with something of interest for all, whether they are cereal, small seed or pulse growers. The aim of this day is to provide growers with information and ideas that will help them to solve problems and create new opportunities.
“This year’s speakers include FAR staff, university and CRI researchers and international guests from Australia and the UK. Industry sponsors also have trial/demonstration plots on show and get a chance to speak about their latest products. Each speaker will give their presentation twice - once in the morning, and again in the afternoon (sponsors only speak once). Talks are 20 to 30 minutes long which means there is plenty of time for questions and discussion.
“At the end of the day we all head into the marquee for dinner, drink, prizes etc. Our pre-dinner speaker is well known Country Calendar personality Frank Torley who will talk about his farming experiences both on-screen and off."
CROPS 2012 Speakers and Topics