On Thursday 6th December, the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) will reveal the latest in arable research at its major open day of the year – ‘Combinable Crops 2007’.
This event, historically known as the FAR Arable Site Major Open day is now in its fifth year and with almost 400 through the gate at last year’s event, it has undoubtedly grown into a key annual event for New Zealand arable farmers and industry personnel.
Combinable Crops will be held at FAR’s Arable Research Site which is situated 2km north of Chertsey on State Highway 1; a site which has been dedicated to arable
research trials for the past four years, delivering a range of research results which growers have been able to implement in their own farming businesses.
Once again, we have allowed for a broad range of current topics to be covered, from carbon footprint issues, nitrogen management in cereal crops, bird control, the importance of pollinators to the use of precision farming technologies in New Zealand farming systems” says Nick Poole, FAR Research Coordinator. “In-field presentations will provide more opportunity for open discussion, and will also allow growers to visualise differences in our research trials first hand. We are confident that New Zealand growers will leave the day with some very valuable information which will assist them in improving the economic and environmental performance of their current arable production systems.”
FAR is fortunate to have secured a host of international and local speakers whom are all experts in their field of work.
Jim Orson is Research Director for The Arable Group (TAG) UK, which was formed in 2003 in a merger involving the Morley Research Centre, which Mr Orson also previously directed. TAG runs a nationwide series of farmer-owned research stations in the UK, providing information to support the businesses of some of the biggest arable farmers in Europe. Jim will be advising growers on the latest findings from the UK looking at how we can successfully reduce our carbon footprint and advances in UK crop agronomy.
Roger Williams who is Assistant Research Director for Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA), UK has been on a fact finding visit to FAR, examining nitrogen management in cereals from a UK and New Zealand perspective and combinable crop research in New Zealand. Roger will be talking to growers about the future perspectives on nitrogen management in cereals.
Dr Mike Wilkinson is an expert in the area of silage and is a Special Lecturer at Nottingham University with interests including ruminant nutrition, grass, silage and byproduct foods. Mike will present alongside Andrea Pearson and Mike Parker, FAR Maize Research team, on managing maize silage yield and quality.
Birds are a common pest for arable growers throughout New Zealand. That’s where Dr Nicholas Fox will advise growers on his latest research findings looking at how native falcons can help us to control birds. Dr Fox is a raptor biologist with research on New Zealand Falcons, Australasian Harriers, Northern Goshawks, Mauritius Kestrels, Red Kites, Sakers and Peregrines. As a farmer he is interested in rural issues including farmland restoration, bird species re-introductions, animal welfare, access, fieldsports and low impact leisure activities. A falconer all his life, he has run the Northumberland Crow Falcons since 1991.
FAR is also fortunate to have secured Dr Allan Mayfield, Crop Consultant and Research Coordinator Southern Precision Agriculture Association (SPAA), Australia. Dr Mayfield will not only be presenting, but will also be on hand at a precision agriculture demonstration to assist with any technical questions growers may have.
FAR has also secured a number of local speakers to present on various current topics which are to be delivered throughout the day. Further details and a full programme can be found at www.far.org.nz.
Sponsors of the FAR Arable Site include: BASF, CASE IH, Rakaia Engineering, Crop & Food Research, Goldpine, PGG Wrightson, Norwood Agriculture Equipment, Plains Irrigators Ltd and Zelam. Nick Pyke, FAR’s Chief Executive said “On behalf of FAR I’d like to extend my thanks to all our sponsors for their continued support. This is extremely important in the running of the FAR Arable Site and as such, allows us to create a very valuable and motivating field day for New Zealand Arable Growers.”
FAR would also like to acknowledge the Combinable Crops sponsors for their support towards this event: Agrimedia, National Bank and Ballance.