From the Ground Up, Issue 84

A review of New Zealand’s fall armyworm surveillance network has confirmed that crop scouting is the most reliable and informative tool for understanding fall armyworm (FAW) activity. However, it also acknowledges that scouting is time consuming and that industry personnel struggle to keep up in the height of the season.

This Cereal Disease Management Strategy summarises the results of FAR research conducted between 2022 and 2024. It provides an overview of the most important diseases currently affecting wheat and barley in New Zealand, and outlines a range of cereal disease management strategies and approaches derived from numerous FAR research trials. 

If you couldn't make it to ARIA this year, make sure you check out the booklet 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.

The AIMI survey of New Zealand cereal growers, as at 10 October, 2025 is now available online.

Read the full arable industry code of conduct here. 

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

This Arable Update outlines practical strategies for using SDHIs effectively in the field while protecting their long-term efficacy.

This Update outlines the latest results on how Zymoseptoria tritici (Zt), the fungus that causes Septoria tritici blotch (STB), is responding to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI - Group 3) fungicides in New Zealand wheat crops.

This Arable Update illustrates how alternating and mixing Modes of Actions and active ingredients can help sustain disease control, protect yield, and deliver financial returns.