From the Ground Up, Issue 113

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.

Find out regional information on Fall armyworm as of April 4 2025.

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. 

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

Check out the latest fall armyworm update here. 

Current status: FAW populations continue to develop across New Zealand. Northland awaits the third main moth flight of the season, with the key time for scouting and decision-making approaching. Maize grain and sweetcorn growers should be particularly vigilant during this period.

Fall armyworm numbers continue to rise as the season progresses, with the top half of Northland in particular beginning to see levels that would require chemical intervention. Read more in this week's update.

Part 2 of the 2024 Cereal Disease Management Strategy provides an overview of the research behind the development of this strategy. It’s the ‘extra for experts’ part, providing in-depth information that will help you to understand how and why to prioritise your fungicide spend.

FAW second generation begins. This update provides the latest regional findings, pest dynamics, and management recommendations.