From the Ground Up, Issue 83

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.

This report outlines a fungicide evaluation field trial conducted during the 2023-24 growing season, evaluating the efficacy of a range of fungicides targeting oomycetes for managing cocksfoot downy mildew pathogens.

Read the full arable industry code of conduct here. 

This Herbage Update summarises findings from three seasons of irrigation on browntop trials in Canterbury, New Zealand.

This Arable Update describes the biology of small broomrape and initial data on control options including herbicides and their application timing.

This Herbage Update summarises three seasons of irrigation experiments investigating yield penalties from early versus late-season drought and identifying mechanisms to guide irrigation strategies for improved water-use efficiency.

Maize is one of the easiest crops to mechanically weed and levels of weed control comparable to herbicides can be achieved. Find out more about the options available and how they work in this maize update.

Weed related yield losses ranging from 15% to 56% for silage and 15% to 61% for grain have been observed in New Zealand maize systems. In this maize update find out management strategies for a number of common annual and perennial weeds of maize.

The Environmental Protection Authority (“EPA”) published a Notice of Direction Prohibiting the Use and Requiring Disposal of Chlorpyrifos Containing Substances in the New Zealand Gazette on 1 September 2025.

Growers are reminded to report any grass weeds that appear unfamiliar or could resemble black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides). Early reporting remains one of our strongest tools for protecting the industry.