The 2019/20 Autumn Sown Wheat and Barley Cultivar Evaluation booklet is now available on the FAR website.
FAR CPT Manager, Tabitha Armour, says this year’s CPT trial yields were up on last year's, despite drought in the north and floods in the south.
“Yields for the 2019-20 season were up in the CPT trials when compared with last season, with the exception of some dryland sites. The season was off to a good start in many regions as autumn conditions were good for establishing crops. Mild weather continued through winter into spring and rainfall was below average in many areas. By the start of summer, soil moisture was below average in much of the upper and eastern North Island, along with parts of Tasman, Marlborough and Canterbury. Ongoing drought conditions in many of these regions, as well as a severe drought across Northland and Waikato over summer, ultimately affected yield of dryland crops.
“In contrast, the lower west coast of the North Island and parts of Otago and Southland experienced frequent rain, resulting in above average soil moisture an
d water-logging, which hampered management in some crops. Otago and Southland also experienced above average rainfall during both December and February, with many crops affected by flooding at harvest.
“In Canterbury, particularly South Canterbury, hail damaged some early maturing crops. However, good solar radiation over the grain fill period boosted yields of irrigated crops and many growers commented on record yield and quality, coupled with good harvest conditions.”