Resources
M87 Fall armyworm in New Zealand
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a highly invasive plant pest first detected in New Zealand in February 2022. Fall armyworm (FAW) larvae can feed on over 350 plant species and in New Zealand, the crops at most risk are sweetcorn and maize. This update outlines the pest's biology and behaviour and provides tips for identifying and managing fall armyworm in maize and sweet corn crops....
UK maize experts visit
It was great to see 90 people at our NCRS maize field day last week. This day, along with a series of field events across the central North Island, introduced around 150 growers and industry reps to Jon Myhill and Kate Baker from the UK Maize growers Association. ...
Best Value Maize Field Day, Feb 2025
Booklet covers: UK maize; nitrogen management; changing the maize system; herbicide resistance and maize weeds, combine set up....
Velvetleaf reminder
The Waikato Regional council is warning that any farmer harvesting or buying crops risks inviting one of the world’s most invasive pest plants onto their property – to their detriment. Velvetleaf, which is spread by machinery or via contaminated maize, is currently found on 105 properties in nine regions of the North Island: 61 in the Waikato, 20 in Auckland, 15 in Manawatū-Whanganui, three in Hawke’s Bay, two in Wellington, and one each in Northland, Taranaki, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty....
Crop Action: Issue 2, 2025
Crop Action keeps you up to date with arable crop development and actions right across New Zealand....
Fall armyworm update: 31 January, 2025
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....
From the Ground Up: Issue 120
Welcome to the autumn 2025 edition of From the Ground Up....
M86: Post-emergence herbicides for management of weeds in maize
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. And with herbicide resistance being an ongoing challenge growers need to know if and when to spray to maintain herbicide effectiveness and manage input costs. This update discusses the results of a three-year AgResearch-FAR, post-emergence herbicide trial to evaluate the effects of various herbicide treatments on different weed species at both small and large growth stages. ...
FAR CEO Alison Stewart to step down mid-year
Dr Alison Stewart, Chief Executive of the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), will step down from the role, which she has held for seven years, on 30 June 2025. Announcing her resignation, Alison says she has thoroughly enjoyed her time at FAR and will be sad to say goodbye to a sector that has impressed her immensely with its diversity, sustainability and resilience....
H78 Managing white clover desiccation in challenging seasons
This update outlines the results of five years of trials exploring pre-desiccant options for managing bulky white clover crops, aiming to reduce rapid leaf regrowth following diquat desiccation under wet or high-fertility conditions. Achieving effective desiccation required balancing this process with post-harvest regrowth, as clover seed crops are often used for lamb grazing on New Zealand cropping farms....