Over 600 people attended New Zealand’s premium cropping farm field day at FAR’s Chertsey Arable Research Site, Wednesday 5th December, despite a howling nor-west wind and sweltering temperatures.
FAR CEO Nick Pyke says the day was a huge success and very well supported by growers and industry alike.
“This is the second year Crops has run in its expanded format and we were very pleased to welcome growers from all around New Zealand, as well as a party of Australian agronomists and some very high ranking Japanese cereal researchers. The six agronomy and three machinery sponsors added value to the day, providing up to the minute demonstrations of cultivars, agri-chemicals and machinery.”
The twelve research presentations were very well supported with audiences of up to 100 people at time gathering to learn more about nutrient management, chemical regulation, tillage options, weeds and pest and crop agronomy.
The day was rounded off nicely with a complimentary meal and drinks for 350 attendees, the presentation of the award for FAR’s Researcher of the Year to Hamish Brown of Plant & Food Research, and finally an entertaining talk from Country Calendar’s Frank Torley.
Mr Pyke says the event met its goal of providing an informative and entertaining day out for cropping farmers, “whether they grow 15 hectares or 1500, there was something for everyone”.