From the Ground Up, Issue 73

This update explains new research into fungicide timings to manage stem rust in perennial ryegrass crops, moving from a reactive approach in favour of preventative applications timed at key stages of crop development.

A FAR project is helping arable and dairy farmers understand more about the greenhouse gas emissions associated with growing and using feed wheat, feed barley, maize grain and maize silage.

View the latest AIMI Survey of Cereal and Maize Areas and Volumes to 1 July 2026.

If you’re an East Coast maize grower interested in improving nitrogen use efficiency, profitability and environmental outcomes, read on! FAR is offering several opportunities for maize growers to learn, collaborate and help shape future nitrogen management recommendations.

Here you can find the booklet for the 2026 maize winter workshops.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is the main ryegrass species grown for seed in New Zealand, supporting both pasture and turf markets. Canterbury leads production, with around 12,000 ha sown annually. This study pulls together results from ten Canterbury field trials to assess 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.

Welcome to the autumn 2026 edition of From the Ground Up. 

Find the booklet for the autumn round up 2026 event series here.

Not sure of the bet strategy for harvesting lodged maize? Check out this document which has tips for both maize grain and silage. 

Sometimes, the only way to bring in a crop is to harvest in conditions that are less than ideal. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s a good idea to think about your combine settings to help reduce losses and prevent unnecessary breakdowns. This Technical Update  covers some of the key points for getting the job done .