2022/23 Spring sown wheat and barley cultivar evaluations

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

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

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.

Registrations are open for the 2025 FAR Conference: Show me the money. The event is being held at Lincoln University, Monday 30 June and Tuesday 1 July.

Dr Scott Champion has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Foundation for Arable Research.

Congratulations to those arable farming families who excelled in the 2025 Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Seed and Grain Readiness and Response Incorporated (“SGRR”) is a biosecurity entity for the arable sector. It was established in 2020 under the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity (GIA). It is currently collecting levies to cover the costs of the two biosecurity incursions, black grass and fall armyworm. 

Read the booklet for the 2025 autumn round up series here. 

Want to have more say in FAR’s research priorities and activities? Get involved with your regional grower-led Arable Research Group (ARG). ARGs are a direct link between growers and FAR, providing feedback on regional issues, concerns and opportunities. Seven ARGs operate across the country, and right now they are all looking for new members.

Harvest Snippets provides a harvest season summary. Find all the 2024/2025 season harvest snippets here.