• Our Research
    • Research Strategy
    • Research Sites
    • Current Research Projects
    • Research Results
    • Research Collaborations
    • Research Resources
    • Seed Industry Research Centre
    Current Research
    Current Research
    Research Results
    Research Results
  • Resources
    • Biosecurity
    • Crop Action
    • Nutrient Management
    • Maize
    • Templates and Calculators
    • Cereals
    • Weeds
    • Pests
    • Seeds
    • Diseases
    • News
    • Environment
    • Soil
    • Schools
    Podcast
    Podcast
    Environment and Compliance
    Environment and Compliance
  • Levies & Returns
    • Arable Crops Levy
    • Maize Levy
    • Cereal Silage Levy
    • Farmer Annual Return Form
    • Wholesaler Annual Return Form
    Levies
    Levies
    Annual Returns
    Annual Returns
  • Events
  • News
  • About Us
    • Governance and growers
    • Business Strategy
    • Our People
    • Careers
    • Growers Leading Change
    • Women in Arable
    • Arable Ys
    • Arable Kids
    • Arable Research Groups (ARGs)
    Our People
    Our People
    Growers Leading Change
    Growers Leading Change
  • Ask FAR AI
  • Weather
  • Log In
Ask FAR AI
Weather
Log In
  • Homepage
  • Resources
  • 20 Years Of Far

20 Years of FAR

Feature placeholder


header sky added - Copy1It is 20 years since the Foundation for Arable Research was set up to "undertake practical research for arable farmers".
In that time since 25 March 1995, we have developed to actively undertake research and extension on a broad range of grain and seed crops in New Zealand and Australia, and, in more recent years, developed a broader systems approach to research.
FAR CEO Nick Pyke has led the organisation since day one. He says that it is difficult to single out any particular project or piece of research as the most important, as the organisation's research focus is so broad and has developed over time.
"Our first achievement was the first referendum that gave us the mandate to proceed and form FAR. Initially our research focused pretty much within the farm gate on things like crop inputs and cultivar selection. From there grew one of our key achievements, our involvement in the Cultivar Performance Trials which provide growers with completely independent advice to help them select the appropriate wheat and barley cultivars to meet their production and agronomic needs. It has been pleasing in the last 12 months to see the development of a similar programme for the maize industry.
"Another key focus has been the development of long-term research sites and we are very lucky to have maintained access to our Chertsey and Waikato Arable Research Sites for 12 and 8 years respectively. Location-wise they provide a focal point for our work, and importantly, they allow us to carry out long term research, comparing results over a number of seasons and years.
"Research is only part of what we do, and is of absolutely no use if it isn’t partnered with a strong extension programme. Our extension work is a combination of meetings, field events and publications. All of these have developed over time as research projects have increased in number and scope, and as results accumulated. For example, Strategy Booklets which outline tested options for disease management and nutrient use on grain and seed crops are based on several season's research results, and FAR Focus books compile the results of several projects over several seasons to provide comprehensive information on topics like converting pasture to crop, irrigation management and nutrient management."
A key development for FAR in recent years has been an increased focus on research into whole farm systems and managing the environmental impacts of cropping farms. This in turn has led to increased collaboration with other primary sectors, particularly the dairy industry, and with other research providers, notably the Crown Research Institutes and Universities. It has also led to an increase in external funding, with FAR levy funds being used to leverage contributions from central government agencies MPI and MBIE.
An example of this collaborative approach is the 20t by 2020 project. 20t by 2020 involves FAR, Plant & Food Research, Canterbury University and NIAB TAG in the UK, and aims to up wheat yields, increase productivity and improve farm profitability. Each partner organisation is contributing funding and or expertise, and in the case of NIAB TAG, replicating trials in the Northern Hemisphere to add knowledge to the programme.
A further recent focus has been the identification and development of new, higher value products and systems for the cropping industry. The Avanex® grasses, released by PGGW last year are an example of FAR having involvement in a new product from concept to commercial production.
Mr Pyke says that since its formation, FAR has successfully increased research investment from approximately $1 million of levy funds, to $5.5 million of levy and grant funds. The development in Australia has led to the development of a range of trans-Tasman collaborative research and extension programmes and the establishment of FAR Australia in 2012. FAR operates with a staff of 23 across four sites in New Zealand (Templeton near Christchurch, Ashburton, Hawkes Bay and Waikato), as well as in Victoria and New South Wales in Australia. It also invests heavily in student and post-graduate research and development, in order to encourage the next generation of cropping researchers and farmers.
FAR will celebrate its birthday with a conference in Ashburton in July. Entitled Future Visions for the Arable Industry, this event will focus on progress in the arable and cropping industry since FAR's formation in 1995, and consider which technologies will drive development in the next two decades.

Related Resources

14 June 2025

Cost of Production spreadsheet

FAR contracts the services of Macfarlane Rural Business annually to update the Cost of Production spreadsheet for a standard set of crops from a case study group of a typical irrigated Mid-Canty arable farm with a mid to high input system.

Read more
14 June 2025

Crop Action: Issue 11, 2025

Crop Action keeps you up to date with arable crop development and actions right across New Zealand.

Read more
14 June 2025

Congratulations Dame Alison Stewart

The Board and staff of the Foundation for Arable Research are delighted to congratulate FAR CEO, Alison Stewart, on her appointment as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Read more
14 June 2025

Crop Action: Issue 10, 2025

Crop Action keeps you up to date with arable crop development and actions right across New Zealand.

Read more
14 June 2025

From the Ground Up Winter 2025

Welcome to the Winter 2025 edition of From the Ground Up. This edition of From the Ground Up includes information on: Farewell Alison StewartMaize weed managementBarley nitrogen

Read more
14 June 2025

2024/25 Autumn Cultivar Book

The Autumn Cereal Cultivar Evaluation Book for 2024/25 is now available to read.

Read more
14 June 2025

Crop Action: Issue 9, 2025

Crop Action keeps you up to date with arable crop development and actions right across New Zealand.

Read more
14 June 2025

2G and 3G decommission - what you need to know

With Spark and One NZ decommissioning their 2G and 3G networks across the country near the end of 2025. FAR has contacted the companies involved with the moisture probe trial to find out how it could affect your farm.

Read more
14 June 2025

Cereals Update 230 Winter wheat cultivar mixtures under irrigated and dryland conditions in Mid Canterbury

Planting a crop consisting of multiple cereal cultivars (cultivar mixtures) enhances genetic diversity, which can improve both seasonal and long-term agronomic performance and slow or reduce disease spread. To assess the viability of this approach for feed wheat production under current commercial conditions in New Zealand, FAR conducted a series of field trials in Chertsey, Mid Canterbury, between 2021 and 2024.

Read more
14 June 2025

Crop Action: Issue 8, 2025

Crop Action keeps you up to date with arable crop development and actions right across New Zealand.

Read more

Ask FAR AI

Discover the power of AI with Ask FAR. Our new intelligent tool provides instant, accurate answers to your questions by searching the vast resources on the FAR website and linking you to the original document for further information. It’s fast, easy and reliable.

Start Chatting
  • Research
  • Levies and Returns
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Schools
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

©2022 Foundation for Arable Research