P.O.Box 80, Lincoln, New Zealand

Tel: 03 325 6353 Fax: 03 325 6354 Email: far@far.org.nz www.far.org.nz

INSIDEISSUE NO. 51 September 2007

Waikato Arable Site •Sustainable Farming Fund Success •

FAR Conference •Future research to benefit the arable industry •

Is your farm business sustainable? •Timing is everything with maize plant protection •

Arable Site Update •Active in Arable celebrates 50 •

Agronomy Study Tour •Sirius Wheat Calculator •

Cropping Sequence Survey •Brassica book •

Recipe - sponge •

If you are selling grain or seed to anotherfarmer (e.g a dairy farmer) you areresponsible for paying a levy to FAR. Thelevy is payable under the Commodity LeviesAct and legal action can be taken againstthose farmers not paying a levy. Withincreases in the amount of grain beingtraded to other farmers, FAR will be making

Jim Orson, from The Arable Group inthe UK, has been confirmed as one of thekeynote contributors to the Open Day tobe held at the Arable Site at Chertsey. Jimis a regular visitor to New Zealand and,because of this, is a key person to deliverthe latest research findings from UK andEurope and interpret them for New Zealandconditions. Jim has an excellentunderstanding of issues around fungicidesand fungicide resistance, herbicides and

Are youCompliant?

Is there a Rural / Urban Divide? The contaminants in water runoff fromcarparks, roads etc and the degradationand silting of streams and estuaries fromsubdivisions as well as the nutrient loadingsfrom parks and gardens are often verysignificant.

The arable industry may not be themain focus of groups that believe theprimary industries are responsible for :• damaging water quality• using all available water• storing water and impacting on others• producing greenhouse gases that are

changing our climate

but we need to ensure we are aware ofand addressing the issues going forward.Some of the figures presented in relationto the arable industry and the nitrateleaching are of concern.

Most farmers are using managementpractices that supply nitrogen to crops inresponse to demand therefore leachinglosses are minimal, often using nutrientbudgets or crop calculators.Many farmers are using water budgets andsome have had irrigator efficiency checksundertaken. All these practices will minimisethe arable industry impact on the region.

We need to be proud and publicisewhat we have achieved but we also haveto ensure we have the right research andextension in place to address these issuesgoing forward.

It is essential these discussions occur inthe future as the economy of many regionsis reliant on primary production. The issuesaround water, impacts of climate changeand pollution are often similar for bothurban and rural areas and could be moreeffectively addressed cohesively.Contact Nick Pyke pyken@far.org.nz03 3256353.

a greater effort to ensure farmers are payinglevies as the system needs to be fair andequitable for all farmers.

As a part of the exercise to maximisecompliance, FAR has an audit undertakeneach year and this year has increased theemphasis on farmer to farmer transactions.

At this stage we are awaiting a reportfrom MAF and plan to take action againstany parties who are non compliant.

If you should have made a levy return andrequire a levy form or assistance pleasecontact Tracey Harris: harrist@far.org.nz03 3256353.

FAR Open Day-6th December 2007herbicide resistance and the impact ofenvironmental regulations on nitrogen use.

This year there is a significant emphasison spring sown trials at the Arable Site andthe results of these will be to the fore. Aswell as that we intend to discuss precisionagriculture and the opportunities providedby 2cm accuracy and a number of othertopics.

Note this date in your diary and we lookforward to seeing you at the Open Day.Contact Rachel Greenwoodgreenwoodr@far.org.nz 03 3256353.

2

New FAR Arable Site in WaikatoMaize research and extension is getting

a boost with the new FAR Waikato ArableResearch Site. Just south of Hamilton onSH1, the high profile site is guaranteed toraise the profile of FAR in the region; animportant consideration given the recentchange in the maize levy from grain to allmaize crops. While research on growers’farms will continue to be a high priority,

the arable site provides a more controlledenvironment for more detailed or longerterm research. As well as supporting theresearch program in maize, the site will beused for annual field days and as a focusfor the triennial maize conference, to benext held in February 2009.

Contact Mike Parker 021960078.

Approximately one million dollars worthof new projects are starting this year thanksto funding from MAF -Sustainable FarmingFund. The six projects are:• Varroa: Determining how pollination canbe managed more effectively on arablefarms in light of varroa’s spread throughoutthe country. Runs for three years. Contact:Richard Chynoweth

• Integrated Pest Management: Investigatinghow arable farmers can apply IPMtechniques to insect pests like aphids. Athree year project. Contact: Abbie Horricks(Crop and Food Research)

2007 Sustainable FarmingFund Success

• Ryegrass: Develop better understandingon seed yield variation in perennial ryegrass,especially in relation to climatic conditionsand management inputs. Runs for threeyears. Contact: Richard Chynoweth

• Pea Industry Development Group: Anextension of the initial project, targetingimproved yields and agronomic performancefor both dry and process peas. A two yearproject. Contact Nick Pyke

• Business Sustainability: Following on fromlast year’s pilot program, this project will

develop and run workshops to expandarable farmers’ skills at growing the business,rather than the business of growing. A twoyear project. Contact Nick Pyke

• Dairy effluent and maize. Can we usemaize to reduce the nutrient loading indairy soils? Can we use effluent instead offertiliser to grow the maize crop? This threeyear project aims to answer these twoquestions. Contact Andrea Pearson

“To really benefit as a farmer you hadto be at the best FAR Conference yet” wasfeedback we received.The feedback from the surveys of thosefarmers attending the conference held inChristchurch was extremely positive. Apartfrom the hard chairs there were fewnegatives and farmers went home withsome key things to think about andimplement on their farms as well as somepoints they felt needed addressing into thefuture. The range of speakers verysuccessfully discussed a broad range ofissues.A few outcomes:There are many cultural options availableto manage diseases and farmers need todevelop a strategy that is economically andagronomically achievable. Managing thegreenbridge is extremely important withthe range of crops but is critical for biennialcrops.

FAR Conference – what was new?Decision Support Systems such as theWheat Calculator can be used to:• Determine optimum N requirements• Optimise water use• Aid environmental compliance• Update yield and timings of operations

during the season• MAKE MONEY by optimising yield and

minimising fertiliser.Dairy needs grain• Farmers use grain for different uses –

condition score, fertility, milk – will grainreduce methane emissions?

• Palm kernel is a grass supplement not agrain supplement

• NDF of wheat (12%) is much better thanbarley (20%)

Organic matter is the blue chip in yoursoil real estate• Intensive cultivation buried the carbon;

it was not lost from the system• Keeping crop in the system is more

important for accumulating soil carbon than the influence of method of cultivation

• Long term (5 years) there was no difference in carbon in the top 25cm forno-till, min till or intensive cultivation.

Climate change is irrefutable according tothe science• Arable farmers could see benefits as

increased yield from increased CO2• Down side is reduced rainfall and

increased demand for water on the EastCoast. If average rainfall is reduced by 10mm then, at $2.00/mm/ha, is an extracost of $11million to irrigate the currentlyconsented land in Canterbury

• With the loss of the Greenland ice shelfshould we be buying arable land in Greenland!

• NZ opportunities could be in producingfood, feed and seed crops that other countries don’t produce because they are producing biofuels

3

Increasingly FAR is being asked toindicate what government funded researchis expected to deliver outcomes of benefitto arable growers. As well as this we arebeing asked to be involved in programmesby either co-funding, or participating in theproject.

This year a large number of proposalsthat relate to the arable area are being putto FRST for funding and FAR has activelyindicated it will support a number ofapplications if they are successful. Researchin these areas is usually higher risk, longerterm and more expensive than the appliedresearch projects FAR funds directly.Some examples of projects FAR is intendingto support are:

Future Research to Benefit theArable Industry

• Advanced seed production - a programme investigating flowering, seed set and seed quality in some key broad leaf crops.

• Water use efficiency – research aiming to investigate plant use of waterand better define plant responses to water.

• Pollination – this research will investigate pollination of crops and look at the best solutions in the presence of varroa.

• Role of the vadose zone – The vadose zone is the area between root zone and the aquifer.

This research will determine the proportion of the nutrients leaving the rootzone that leach into the aquifer.

Last year FAR agreed to support aSmart Seeds application. This proposal wassuccessful and is investigating endophyteson brassicas. The research aims to identifyand manage beneficial endophytes inbrassicas. The programme was fostered bythe Lincoln Resource and will be headedby Lincoln University. As well as FRST andFAR support, PGG Wrightson and SouthPacific Seeds are also supporting thisresearch.Contact: Nick Pyke pyken@far.org.nz03 3256353.

FAR has traditionally invested funds inresearch on agronomy projects and anumber of projects related to the right tofarm. Increasingly farmers are seekinginformation in relation to their farm businessand ensuring the business is runningeffectively, sustainably and competitively toother similar farm businesses.

FAR has started a new project, withsupport from MAF SFF, to address someof these business issues. Some of the keypoints that have been identified are;

Is Your Farm Business Sustainable?• business planning including strategic

planning, succession planning and financialplanning;

• communication, including staff employment and management, dealing with customers and clients;

• purchasing and selling including contracts,marketing, buying groups and machinerysyndicates;

• and benchmarking both within farm andwhole farm.

Recently farmers received an invitationto be part of the paddock benchmarkingproject. This information will be essential

for farmers who wish to participate in thebroader business sustainability project.

Currently we plan to have a one dayworkshop to review benchmarking datalater this year followed by more detailedsessions in the winter next year.

We look forward to your involvementin this project and have already identifiedsome excellent topics, presenters andfacilitators. If you have any thoughts inrelation to this project or wish to be involvedplease contact: Nick Pyke pyken@far.org.nz03 3256353.

Timing is everything withMaize Plant Protection

Weeds, diseases, insect pests! Everygrower has their particular “favourite” thatturns up unwanted in their crop. DuringAugust, FAR ran a series of workshops formaize growers, outlining the key nastiesand the best management strategies tocounter them. Trevor James fromAgResearch (pictured) tested attendees ontheir ability to recall the modes of action

of the main herbicides and where and whento use them for weed management(chocolate bars all round). Mike Parker(FAR) spoke of the major fungal andbacterial diseases of maize while PaulAddison, formerly of AgResearch and nowwith NuFarm, rounded off the session withinsect pests such as cut worm and blackbeetle. We have had extremely positive

feed back from growers from these wellattended workshops.These workshops were developed throughthe SFF project ‘Novel Weed Managementfor Maize – Sustainable solutions for aperennial problem”.Contact Mike Parker parkerm@far.org.nz021 960 078

4

The major differences in managementrelated to herbicides used and the timingof application. In-crop herbicide expenditurein year two varied from $127 to $345/ha,excluding desiccation. Combining thecheapest in-crop herbicides with thecheapest desiccation programme wouldhave resulted in a total herbicide expenditureof $312/ha. Nutrient inputs ranged from$0/ha by the Methven team through to$60/ha. Although the plots could beirrigated, no irrigation was applied in2006/07. Establishment, certification and

Table 1: 2006/07 Results ($/ha)Place Team Yield Value Costs Margin

kg/ha $ $ $

1st Methven 716 3963 1075 28882nd FAR 633 3481 1156 23253rd Darfield 594 3268 1182 20864th Ellesmere 603 3318 1239 2079

Throughout the autumn the FAR teamhas been fighting a losing battle against grassgrub at the FAR Arable Site, Chertsey. Grubpopulations of five per spade square wereobserved throughout winter.

Application of insecticide had little long-term effect. With damage typically beinginconsistent between plots, the decision

Arable Site Update “Grubs up”was made to start afresh. Those who travelthe main road regularly will have noticedthe new spring sowings being undertaken.

This leads to the option of focusing onspring sown crops, some of which have notbeen planted at the Arable Site before –watch this space.

White clover growers demonstration/competition

In 2005/06 the clover growersdemonstration at the FAR Arable Site,Chertsey created significant grower interest. Five teams were involved in thedemonstration in this season (Arable UpdateHerbage #47). In 2006/07 four teams(Ellesmere, Darfield, Methven & FAR)

remained involved in the demonstrationwith the aim of producing the mostprofitable white clover seed yield fromirrigated plots (14.5 x 40m) of cv. Tributesown on 24th March 2006. Results areshown in Table 1.

dressing costs were included in the margins. A seed value of $5.50/kg of dressed seedwas used in calculating income.This format of generating discussion hashighlighted a number of key points in thearea of herbicides, these include:• can cheaper soil residual herbicides be

used for longer term weed control?• what impact do late season herbicides

have on seed yield?• If I were to spend $1 more where should

I spend it – in crop herbicides or desiccation?

This season spring barley is in the spotlightwith six teams competing for the title.

Fifty meetings over five years and nearly50 women with an interest in the arableindustry participating in meetings, thisprogramme is a resounding success. Initiallyfunded by MAF SFF, Active in Arable hasnow attracted sponsorship from PGGWrightson, HydroServices, Computing

Active in Arable celebrates 50Services and Winstone Industrial to ensurea wide range of topics are covered at themonthly meetings in the Canterbury area.

The topics have been extremely diversefrom learning about pests and diseases ofcrops, the wheat calculator to flowers,

grapes and personal fitness. Meetings areinteractive with facilitation by DavidMontgomery and new members are alwayswelcome.

Contact: Rachel Greenwoodgreenwoodr@far.org.nz 03 3256353

PGG Wrightson Grain is seeking interestfrom arable farmers for a tour to the UKand France in June 2008. This AgronomyStudy Tour is a unique opportunity to visitorganisations not normally accessible toNew Zealand’s farmers.

So, set aside time now in your diariesfor June 2008 to ensure that you get toexperience this amazing arable tour.

Agronomy Study Tour to the UK and FranceFeatures of the Agronomy Study Tour willinclude:• Attend Cereals 2008 - one of the world’s

largest field days.• Visit plant breeding leaders, Nickersons.• Visit research facilities such as TAG’s

Morley Research Centre in the UK andArvalis in France.

• Visit leading arable farmers in these countries and gain an insight into the

European farming environment.• The sights of the cities of London,

Cambridge and Paris are included as wellas visits to the towns and villages of ruralUK and France.

To register your interest in this premierarable event, please phone Nick Brooks(03-372 0839).

5

The Sirius Wheat CalculatorWe are again making available the Sirius

Wheat Calculator (WC) free of charge toarable growers and $20 (including GST andP&P) to industry.

The WC is a computer program thathelps growers identify nitrogen (N) andirrigation (I) needs for wheat crops.It uses current and historical weather datato estimate yield, and has scenarios to lookat the impact on yield of a dry or wetseason.

The program is interactive and allowsgrowers to see the impacts of changing theamounts & timings of N & I. Graphs helpthe user see when N and water levels are

low, the impact this has on the canopy andcrop yield and whether their managementis influencing leaching and residual N levels. Wheat growth stages and margins over N& I input costs are also presented.

BenefitsSome of the benefits the growers foundwhile evaluating the software are:• Useful for predicting growth stages in

advance e.g. GS 31, 32, 39 and harvest.• Fungicides and PGR’s can be targeted at

the right time and contractors can be arranged in advance.

• Provides a window in which to apply N,which means you can wait for the rightweather conditions without

compromising yield.• Irrigation timing and rates can be

optimised to suit crop requirements.• Economic benefits because of increased

yield from better timing, or targeting ofincreased N inputs, or by achieving maximum yields with less N. Better understanding of how the wheat crop grows, the factors which influence canopydevelopment and why the size of thecanopy is so important.

How do I get a copy?If you are interested in obtaining a copyof the wheat calculator, please contactFAR on 03 3256353 or emailbondm@far.org.nz

You will remember that last Octoberwe asked you to help us with a survey onNew Zealand cropping sequences. Therewere three primary objectives of the survey,which was funded by the MAF SustainableFarming Fund, FAR and Crop & FoodResearch:• Establish the current state of New

Zealand cropping rotations and the specific cropping sequences within them.

• Conduct a survey of growers to identifythe problem points in the rotation, in terms of establishment, agronomy and overall crop profitability.

• Formulate recommendations for futurecropping sequence research.

The response to the survey wastremendous with some 380 surveys filledin and returned to FAR. Following in depthanalysis by Crop & Food Research (CFR),a report has been completed that detailsthe responses to the cropping sequencequestionnaire.

MAF SFF/FAR/CFRCropping SequenceSurvey

“Diseases and Pests of Brassica” is anew identification guide produced by IanHarvey, PLANTwise Services Ltd. It is amust for brassica growers and adviserswhether you are a seed or forage grower.The booklet, which is illustrated with colourphotos and diagrams, looks at theidentification, significance and control ofbrassica pests and diseases in New Zealand.

If you would like to purchase a copy ofthis 80 page booklet, copies can beobtained from the FAR office (Tel: 03 3256353) at a cost of $35 (inclusive of GSTand postage/packaging).

The results of the survey have also beencombined with some of the findings fromthe CFR Soil and Crop ManagementDatabase, in order to give a morecomprehensive figure.

Some of the findings have already ledto new projects being set up last autumn,for example, looking at the influence of 2-year clover seed crops on subsequentnitrogen management in wheat.

The report carries detailed analysis byregion of the questions asked and is afascinating insight into our current cropsequences and problem points. If you wouldlike a copy please contact the FAR office(Tel 03 325 6353) as since the report is 50pages, it is not planned to send it outroutinely to all levy payers.

New Guideon Diseasesand Pests ofBrassicas

Dates forYour DiaryFor additional information on forthcomingevents, please visit the FAR website eventspage at www.far.org.nz/events or contact theFAR office on 03 325 6353.

DISCLAIMER This newsletter was prepared by theFoundation for Arable Research staff. If you requireany further information on any topics or on FARplease contact us. FAR offices are located on GeraldStreet, Lincoln. The views expressed in thisnewsletter are not necessarily those of theFoundation for Arable Research. ©This publicationis copyright to the Foundation for Arable Researchand may not be reproduced or copied in any formwithout written permission from FAR.

Members of the FAR BoardSTUART WRIGHT (Chairman)North South Island03 318 3897

JIM MACARTNEY (Deputy Chairman)Herbage Seed Subsection FF03 329 6734

COLIN JACKSONNorthern North Island07 873 8561

RUSSELL FLEMINGSouthern North Island06 324 8641

DAVID GRANTMid Canterbury03 302 8580

COLIN HURSTSouth Canterbury/North Otago03 689 5898

HOWARD CLARKESouth Otago/Southland03 236 9825

JOHN WRIGHTUnited Wheatgrowers03 302 8111

KERRY DOWIEAppointed Industry Representative09 576 3148

Dr MIKE DUNBIERAppointed Industry Representative03 358 6479

6

Saturday 13th October and repeatedTuesday 16th OctoberWorkshops on organic disease & insect pestmanagement with the organic farm nzscheme insect pests(10:00-13:00)Location: BHU, Lincoln UniversityCost: $10.00 per person,Phone to book a placeMore information: Gilda at CanterburyOrganics Phone 03 325 1344 or emailcorganic@organics.org.nz

13th – 15th November 2007New Zealand Grassland Association69th Annual ConferenceLocation: TaupoMore information:http://www.grassland.org.nz/events.

Thursday 22nd November 2007New Zealand Grain & Seed Trade AssociationAGM and ConferenceLocation: Copthorne Hotel, WaitangiMore information: Ann Harperon 03 341 6059

Thursday 6th December 2007FAR Arable Site Major Open Day(13:00 – 20:00)Location: FAR Arable Site, SH1, 2km Northof Chertsey, CanterburyMore information: FAR office 03 325 6353or www.far.org.nz

• 3 eggs

• Pinch of salt

• 1 teaspoon Edmonds baking powder

• 1/2 cup caster sugar

• 1/2 cup Edmonds Fielder’s cornflour

• Separate eggs

• Beat the egg whites and salt until stiff

• Add sugar gradually and beat until stiff and sugar has dissolved

• Add egg yolks

• Beat until well blended

• Sift together cornflour, flour and baking powder and fold into the mixture

Edmonds Fielder’sClassic Sponge

• 1 teaspoon CHAMPION NZ grown standard plain flour

• 1 teaspoon Edmonds baking powder

• 1/2 cup Edmonds Fielder’s cornflour

• Pour into two 20 cm greased and lined sandwich tins

• Bake at 190oC for 15 to 20 minutes oruntil cake “springs” back when lightly touched

• Leave in tin for 10 minutes before turningout onto a wire rack

Caster sugar produces a sponge with alighter texture

“Calling alldomesticGods andGoddesses”

Recipe