FAR is delighted to announce the appointment of Diana Mathers who is to take up the position of maize research co-ordinator.
Nick Pyke, FAR's Chief Executive says "Diana has been involved in cropping research and agronomy for many years and comes to FAR from her role as senior project advisor for MAF Sustainable Farming Fund. In this role she has had responsibility for a large number of FAR / MAF SFF projects over the last few years and therefore has a good understanding of how FAR operates and is well known to many staff, farmers and industry personnel. Diana will be based in Hawke's Bay and will be starting in mid to late January. We are very pleased to welcome Diana to the team and are looking forward to integrating the broad range of skills she has into the programmes FAR is running to benefit New Zealand arable farmers."
Diana will work closely with Mike Parker, FAR's maize project manager and will take on the responsibility of managing FAR's research and extension activities for the national maize industry. Diana will determine trial priorities, develop trial protocols, and will be involved in negotiations with research providers, co-ordinating 'in-field' trials, field research and the delivery of research results back to growers and industry personnel. Diana will also be involved in extension activities such as Arable Updates, field days, regionally based discussion groups and regular maize emails throughout the growing season.
Diana takes the place of Andrea Pearson who leaves us to take up the position of motherhood. Andrea has filled the role of maize research co-ordinator over the last three years and has made a huge impact on the research and extension activities for the maize industry of new Zealand, both in terms of grain and silage and has also developed FAR's soil research and extension activities. She has become a familiar face with growers and industry personnel and will be greatly missed.
Nick Pyke says "we would like to thank Andrea for her huge dedication and commitment to the maize industry over the last three years. We wish Andrea, Kevin and their expected arrival all the very best for the future."
FAR welcomes appointment of new Maize Research Co-ordinator
