FAR Weekly: 7 May 2017

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

Stem rust (Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola) is the most damaging of the ryegrass diseases. This update discusses how different fungicide programmes and timings affect seed yield. It compares early versus late applications and offers practical advice to help growers improve rust control and maximise returns.

This Herbage Update defines a more accurate harvest window for perennial ryegrass seed crops. Read more here.

Welcome to the revised 2025 version of  The drying and storage of grain and herbage seed, first published in 1999. The book comprises six chapters that cover grain characteristics and their reaction to climate, the importance of seed moisture, the drying system, the storage environment, storage pests and their control, and construction considerations. These have been edited and updated by FAR staff and independent experts from the original chapters written by the late Murray Hill.

A velvetleaf find in a paddock that has been ‘clean’ for seven years, is a clear reminder of how long this weed’s seed will remain viable.

Between January and May 2025, FAR and harvester specialists conducted a comprehensive study to quantify the grain and seed left in the paddock by New Zealand growers and identify opportunities to optimise harvester performance. 

As the price of fertiliser rises, so does the value of the straw that stays on your farm.

This AIMI survey of maize growers provides details of the 2025 New Zealand maize grain and silage harvest, along with sowing intentions for the coming year.

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

The Arable Food Industry Council (AFIC) commissioned Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL) to provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse arable production activities in New Zealand and the associated economic impact to the New Zealand economy.