MAF SFF Supports FAR Research

The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is delighted to announce the start of four new research projects which are set to benefit New Zealand arable farmers.

These projects, entitled ‘The New Zealand Arable Industry – understanding where we are to create better opportunities for the future’, ‘Non-chemical weed control for sustainable rotations’, ‘Where to with the birds, the bees and the bugs on arable farms?’ and ‘Single pass planting systems for maize - removing the adoption barriers’ are the latest line-up of successful applications for FAR in the MAF SFF 2011 funding round.

Managed by Nick Pyke, FAR’s CEO, “The New Zealand Arable Industry – understanding where we are to create better opportunities for the future” will build on the existing Arable Industry Marketing Initiative (AIMI), a jointly funded project with MAF SFF, Federated Farmers, United Wheatgrowers and the Arable Food Industry Council (AFIC).

A number of recent grower and industry meetings have identified problems that exist in relation to understanding crop production, transport and storage. This lack of up-to-date market information in these areas is currently the most critical of a number of key issues confronting the New Zealand arable industry.

The main focus of this project will be to provide information to growers and industry personnel that will improve the marketing of, and the confidence in the supply of New Zealand arable products. A key component to this project is the rapid collection and dissemination of information quarterly throughout the season. This information will be compiled and distributed by email and placed on dedicated pages on industry groups’ websites to aid with in season decision making by the industry.

Systems will be developed to collect this information on crop production as the season progresses and develop improved systems for the storage and transport of grain. The information will be incorporated into a long term Postharvest Strategic Plan which will be achieved with the assistance of professional market research and business consultants.

“Non-chemical weed control for sustainable rotations” will be managed by FAR Project Manager Richard Chynoweth. This project will investigate non chemical control options for grass weeds in cropping rotations. Grass weeds become a problem when their seeds are not controlled by cultural control practices, such as reduced burning and ploughing. The use of these practices is reducing among farmers in an effort to become more environmentally friendly and to save costs.

International experience suggests that grass weeds are quick to build up herbicide resistance, therefore other management practices are important. This project will compare burning, ploughing, minimum tillage, delayed planting and silage as management practices to reduce farmer reliance on chemicals for the control of grass weeds.

“Where to with the birds, the bees and the bugs on arable farms” is a one year project which will identify and deliver clear immediate outcomes in three (birds, bees and bugs) key interrelated areas to arable farmers. Managed by Nick Pyke, the project will develop a coherent and complete R&D strategy addressing beneficial insects and pest species that form part of the biodiversity on arable farms. Research projects have been undertaken on pollination, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and bird management but often in isolation of each other, and benefits to farmers have not been fully realised. The outcomes from the R&D strategy will form the basis for on-going investment to ensure the profitability and productivity of future sustainable farm systems.

Adoption of reduced tillage systems for maize has been hampered by a lack of confidence; farmers have seen positive economic and environmental outcomes but doubt that it will work on their farms. Therefore the fourth in this line up of successful funding applications, “Single pass planting systems for maize - removing the adoption barriers” aims to increase uptake of these systems by building confidence through an innovative “hands-on” extension model that capitalises on farmers’ preferences of learning by doing. Regional practitioner groups will learn about reduced tillage systems through on-farm practice, trial and refinement, supported as required with appropriate technical expertise. Extension to the wider group will be through demonstration, and fence watchers will be encouraged to participate. This project will be managed by FAR’s Maize Research Coordinator Diana Mathers.

FAR is thrilled to have the support of MAF SFF in these new areas of research which will be able to deliver real benefits to the New Zealand arable industry. Nick Pyke, FAR’s Chief Executive says “The New Zealand arable industry is one of the world leaders in both its practices and performance. It is vital that we continue to conduct research and extension activities which will deliver outcomes for our farmers if we are to remain world leaders.”

Growers and industry personnel will be kept up-to-date on these projects through FAR’s extension activities such as Crop Action, Arable Updates, field days and FAR newsletters. FAR also encourages growers to visit the members’ area of the FAR website where they can access all FAR’s latest research results.

ENDS

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