David Grant

Mid Canterbury
Dave is an arable farmer from Methven growing a wide range of arable crops. He joined the FAR board in 2003. Dave has hosted FAR trials on his property for a number of years and has had involvement in a number of project management groups. Dave was one of the farmers who was responsible for the development of the Arable Site in Chertsey. Dave is involved in a number of other community groups in the Methven area.

 

 

Alan Henderson

Northern North Island
Alan is a Dairy farmer and maize grower west of Te Awamutu. Maize is grown for grain and silage, which are both sold and used on the family property. All cropping is carried out in-house; harvesting is done by contractors. Horticulture and a commercial calf rearing unit are also operated on the property. Alan has been involved in a number of FAR funded trials and is currently involved with the Yellow Bristle Grass research committee and a persistent ryegrass/endophyte trial. 

 

Russell Fleming

Southern North Island
Russell Fleming is involved in the family business in the Manawatu. He brings a wide range of skills and an excellent knowledge of the region and issues facing the region to the board. The business involves growing, harvesting, drying and storing maize both on their own account and as contractors for a number of farmers. This involves growing maize on a range of soil types for both grain and silage and coping with a range of microclimates (including last year's floods). In addition the contracting business is involved in baleage, maize silage harvesting and trading, harvesting of other cereal crops and transportation. Russell has had a significant involvement with FAR having been a member of the Maize Research Committee since its inception, organised field days and hosted on farm trials.

 

Peter Mitchell

South Canterbury / North Otago
 

 

 

 

 

Howard Clarke

South Otago / Southland
Howard Clarke farms at Oreti in Southland. As well as running the arable farm Howard is a partner in Advance Agriculture a company involved in the sales and distribution of agrichemicals to farmers throughout Southland. He also has an interest in horse-racing and involvement in breeding, training and racing thoroughbreds. Howard has had significant involvement in FAR extension activities throughout the South Island, including a major role in organising and supporting field days in Southland. Howard is also a board member of Crops for Southland.

 

Dr Mike Dunbier

Appointed Member
Mike has significant experience in research and extension for the arable industry, both in New Zealand and overseas, through his past role as CEO of Crop & Food Research. Mike was a board member of GRDC in Australia. More recently Mike has remained actively involved in science planning through his consultancy business in Christchurch and holds directorships on Sunprime in Australia and Dairy InSight.

 

 

Hugh Ritchie

Appointed Member
Hugh is the owner of a cropping and livestock farm at Otane, Hawke’s Bay. As part of his Nuffield Scholarship, Hugh studied minimum tillage with regard to cost savings and soil health and water usage in Europe, Canada/USA, and France and has implemented these practices on his own farm. Hugh considers that these practices provide opportunities for many farmers. Hugh will share his expertise around minimum tillage and the benefits of such from a personal perspective

 

 

Prof. Tim Reeves

Appointed Member
Tim Reeves has worked for over 40 years in agricultural research, development and extension, focussed on sustainable agriculture in Australia and overseas. He was a pioneer of no-till research in NE Victoria.  His professional career includes positions in the Department of Agriculture, Victoria; Foundation Professor of Sustainable Agricultural Production, Adelaide University (1992-95) and Director General of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) based in Mexico (1995-2002).  His other roles in recent years have included: Member, United Nations Millennium Project Task Force on Hunger; Member, European Commission Expert Group for Evaluation of Framework Projects; Senior Expert, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). Tim recently chaired a FAO/Government of India review on climate change and Indian wheat production. He is formerly a Board Director of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, and currently a Board Director of the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre.  He is also a Professorial Fellow at Melbourne University, and a former President of the Australian Society of Agronomy.