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Foundation for Arable Research:

Adding value to the business of arable farming

Foundation for Arable Research

The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is an applied research and information transfer organisation responsible primarily to New Zealand arable growers. Funding comes from: a compulsory levy collected from arable growers; grants; co-operative research and information sales. Every five years growers have the opportunity to vote for the continuance of FAR, and currently FAR has over 80% support indicating the success of FAR in delivering real benefits.

New Zealands key independent arable organisation
Proactive, innovative, successful
Creating opportunities and profit
Successful research partnerships

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Latest from FAR:

Early sowing for high yields

Media Releases • 06 March 2013

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It’s not that uncommon to still have some of last year’s grain in the silo at the start of harvest, but how about having next year’s crop in the ground before you’ve put the header away for the season? While most Canterbury cropping farmers are pleased to be at or near the end of their grain harvest, one property in Ellesmere has already sown some of next year’s wheat crop. The early drilling at Paul and David Birkett’s is part of a research project aimed at finding new ways of...

Co-operation key in glyphosate project

Media Releases • 15 February 2013

Industry response to last year’s announcement that glyphosate resistant weeds had been identified in New Zealand for the first time has been positive and supportive, says Avoiding Glyphosate Resistance project leader Mike Parker from the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR). Mr Parker says representatives from primary sectors as well as regional councils and roading authorities are working together to identify and deal with existing cases, and to develop strategies to minimise the number of new ones. “Last year’s announcement has really been a timely reminder, and it is great to see all of these groups working together to find solutions...

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Wanted: FAR Scholar

Media Releases • 11 January 2013

FAR is once again offering a scholarship for postgraduate study at Lincoln or Massey University. The objective of the scholarship, which is valued at seven-thousand dollars, is to encourage research activities which will add value to the New Zealand arable farming sector. The Scholarship is open to full-time students at Lincoln University or Massey University who are undertaking, or are eligible to proceed to, postgraduate research. They must be permanent New Zealand residents and their course of study must include a practical section of relevance to the arable industry. Last year the FAR Scholarship was awarded to Massey University Masters...

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Glyphosate Resistance Confirmed in New Zealand

Media Releases • 13 December 2012

The first New Zealand case of glyphosate resistance has been confirmed in annual ryegrass on a Marlborough vineyard. The discovery was made as part of a project led by the Foundation of Arable Research (FAR) and funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF). Resistance means that some individuals in the target species have developed a means of avoiding the effects of the chemical. Mike Parker, Project Manager for the Avoiding Glyphosate Resistance team, says glyphosate is the most frequently used herbicide in New Zealand agriculture and although there have been some anecdotal reports of resistance, this...

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The do’s and don’ts when moving from ‘Grass 2 Crop’

Media Releases • 16 May 2012

FAR launches FAR Focus 5 – ‘Grass 2 Crop’, a one stop shop demonstating the most effective ways of harnessing key benefits of the grass phase for the successive cropping phase. For cropping farmers, minimising the release of nutrients to...

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Massey student awarded FAR Scholarship

Media Releases • 01 May 2012

The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is pleased to announce the recipient of its 2012 Postgraduate Scholarship. Julia Raynes, one of several applicants for the 2012 Scholarship, is in her first year of study for a Masters degree in plant...

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FAR relocates

Media Releases • 28 March 2012

On Monday 20 February 2012, The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) relocated to its new office space on Maddison Park, an idyllic setting on the outskirts of Templeton, just 14 kms west of Christchurch city and just 14 kms south-west...

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Research and Extension Strategy and Portfolio

Miscellaneous Publications • 17 August 2011

An outline of FAR's research and extension strategy; areas of research which are being undertaken across a range of crops is presented along with a detailed overview of FAR's extension madate. Read more...