Soil Quality on Southland Cropping Farms

Planting a crop consisting of multiple cereal cultivars (cultivar mixtures) enhances genetic diversity, which can improve both seasonal and long-term agronomic performance and slow or reduce disease spread. To assess the viability of this approach for feed wheat production under current commercial conditions in New Zealand, FAR conducted a series of field trials in Chertsey, Mid Canterbury, between 2021 and 2024.

Crop Action keeps you up to date with arable crop development and actions right across New Zealand.

This FAR Focus outlines the key practices required to grow cocksfoot seed crops, covering topics such as crop establishment, nutrient requirements, crop management and harvesting. Topics outside the scope of this booklet include emissions profiles and off-farm considerations such as seed cleaning etc.

Keep up with the latest fall armyworm updates for the 2024/25 season, including regional updates and cultural control options for FAW.  

This Maize Update discusses key issues for consideration in the choice and establishment of over-winter cover crops, along with the results of a five-year trial at FAR’s Northern Crops Research Site which researched the potential for over-winter cover crops to suppress weeds in the following no-till maize grain crop.

Registrations are open for the 2025 FAR Conference: Show me the money. The event is being held at Lincoln University, Monday 30 June and Tuesday 1 July.

Crop Action keeps you up to date with arable crop development and actions right across New Zealand.

Dr Scott Champion has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Foundation for Arable Research.

Find out regional information on Fall armyworm as of April 4 2025.