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Grass weeds are a big headache for many grain and seed growers. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Alison Stewart talks to Hugh Wigley, farmer leader of a Growers Leading Change group that has declared war on grassweeds about their on-farm weed management trials and results.

He Waka Eke Noa has provided the government with a recommendation on how to introduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions pricing. They're recommending a split-gas farm level levy. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR CEO Alison Stewart explains what this means, and what happens next.

In a worst-case scenario, new fungicide actives may ‘break’ within three years. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Fiona Burnett from Scotland's Rural College discusses mixing and dose rates, stressing that taking some very simple steps on-farm will help preserve fungicide efficacy.

Right now, is the key risk period for the introduction of YDV into cereal crops, which means it’s a key time for decision making around aphid management. In this episode of Cut the Crop, we talk to FAR Cereal Researcher Jo Drummond about aphid monitoring and what actions should be considered in the next couple of weeks. For more information visit: Latest aphid and beneficial numbers Aphid monitoring guide 

A group of young North Otago arable growers are working together to understand how to reduce costs and increase profitability on their farms. Alison Stewart talks to Henry Mitchell about what they’ve learned in their first few months together. For more information on Growers Leading Change visit, www.far.org.nz/growers_leading_change

Many people think that IPM is complex and is something that you either do or don’t do, on-farm. But Fiona Burnett and Harry Creissen from the Scottish Rural College disagree, saying IPM is a continuum, and that most arable growers are already on-board, even if they don’t know it! Alison Stewart talks to them about their research.

Consent objections, Jobs for Nature, chainsaw safety and Growsafe courses. One Canterbury Catchment Group, Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture Inc, is active in a range of activities aimed at making members’ lives easier. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR CEO Alison Stewart talks to ESAI member David Birkett about how the group formed, and how it has grown in the last 20 years. Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture Inc www.esai.co.nz Project Tinaku www.esai.co.nz/projects/

Scottish farmer and agronomist, Gordon Rennie, aka “The Oatfather” talks to Alison Stewart about the how the war in Ukraine is affecting friends living there, UK fuel and fertiliser prices and world food security. He also takes time to remind us that “we don’t know how lucky we are”!

Three months into 2022 and there’s been a lot going on for FAR and the arable industry. FAR CEO Alison Stewart joins Anna Heslop to talk about the weather, harvesting trials, greenhouse gas consultations and biosecurity incursions.

In the last four seasons, cocksfoot seed growers have been battling an unknown disease that has reduced yields by up to 75%. Today we’re talking to Richard Chynoweth from FAR about the work that went into identifying the mystery disease, and the management plan’s that are emerging.

A Growers Leading Change group in Eiffelton, near Ashburton, is investigating options for improving both environmental issues and farm profits. In this episode of Cut the Crop we talk to neighbours Will McKenzie and Angus McKenzie about why they set up the group and what they’ve learned in their first year. For more information visit, https://www.far.org.nz/growers_leading_change

Do you know your anions from your cations? Can you rely on the release of anaerobically mineralisable N? Do your consultant’s recommended application rates make sense? In this edition of Cut the Crop we talk to Jeff Morton, from MortonAg about understanding and optimising your farm’s soil fertility. Links FAR Focus: The confidence to cut back Managing soil fertility on cropping farms FAR Strategy: Nitrogen application in wheat and barley FAR Strategy: Nitrogen application in perennial ryegrass seed crops 

You can’t do much about the weather, but you can choose a cereal cultivar that will be better able to cope with whatever the seasons throw at it. That’s the message from FAR Cereal Researcher Jo Drummond in this episode of Cut the Crop, which identifies some potential disease hangovers from the most recent harvest season and how they might affect following crops.

The wet summer didn’t help harvest much, but it’s been great for slugs, grass grub and weed seed set. In this edition of Cut the Crop, Richard Chynoweth advises arable growers to monitor pests before and after sowing and make sure they have access to the chemicals they need for weed control.

From 2025 farmers will have to pay for agricultural greenhouse gas emissions – now is your chance to have your say about what that payment system should look like. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR CEO Alison Stewart outlines the three pricing options being considered and urges you to give us your feedback on the pros and cons of each. The consultation closes at the end of March, so have a listen, and have your say. Complete the emissions pricing survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CGR67Q7

Cultivation practices, winter fallows, setback widths and planting plans can all impact on just how much soil a farm may lose during a major rainfall event. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Alison Stewart talks to FAR’s Abie Horrocks about the findings of recently completed research project call “Good management practices for setbacks on arable farms.

Techniques to beat climate change, different approaches for different soils and even for different Islands, Alison Stewart talks to FAR’s David Densley, who outlines some ‘new to New Zealand’ maize research and updates her on the long term maize research programme, in the North and South Islands. For more information visit, 2022 Resilient Maize Systems conference booklet

A lot of vehicles are coming on and off-farm at this time of year. Do you have a biosecurity plan for your business? How do you plan to evade weeds and pests that are new to your farm?  For more information visit, www.far.org.nz/articles/1217/arable-biosecurity-risk-register www.far.org.nz/articles/1606/black-grass-detection

New Zealand farmers have one month to express their opinions on a greenhouse gas emissions pricing scheme as outlined in the He Waka Eke Noa agricultural emissions pricing options. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Alison Stewart talks to Dirk Wallace, Senior Environment Researcher at FAR about how the consultation will work for arable growers during the very busy harvest period. For more information, visit: https://www.far.org.nz/environment  https://www.far.org.nz/articles/1610/he-waka-eke-noa-pricing-options-for-agricultural-emissions

David Densely outlines five key reasons why anyone associated with the New Zealand maize industry should attend FAR’s Maize Conference in Hamilton on February 2 and 3 2022. International speakers, New Zealand-first maize research, benchmarking, learning from your peers, and more. Get online and register now…registrations close on Wednesday 12 January. Register online now  or via the Events page on the FAR website www.far.org.nz/events.