The drying and storage of grain and herbage seeds

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.

The AIMI survey of New Zealand cereal growers, as at October 10, 2026 is now available online. 

Independent analysis of estimated on-farm ryegrass seed crop growing costs in Canterbury for the 2026/27 season shows a median cost of production to be $3.73 per kilo for growing costs and farm overheads plus business costs. This analysis is specific to the Nui-type, diploid, non-endophytic, non-NZ-proprietary category. 

BYDV is a complex, aphid-transmitted disease that poses significant risks to cereal production in New Zealand. Find out more about the disease in this update.

A T1 fungicide can be the hardest application to get right. Ideally, it targets GS 32 (leaf 3 emergence, two leaves below the flag), but getting the timing right can be challenging if conditions are wet and/or windy. FAR has extended the T1 window to late GS 31- GS 33 find out more here.

If you couldn't make it to this year's early spring field walks check out the booklet here.

Arable sector industry bodies and the Government have committed to working together on actions to drive the future success and resilience of New Zealand’s arable sector.

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

Eight award winners were named on Thursday night (20 August, 2026) and four people/couples were inducted into the Arable Industry Hall of Fame.

Row spacing is an important management strategy in white clover (Trifolium repens) seed crops. Stolons grow outward from the crown of the plant into the space between rows. Nodes produced along the stolon bear either vegetative axillary growth (e.g. a branch) or a reproductive leaf-flower combination. The more nodes that are produced per stolon, and subsequently per unit area, the greater opportunity for flower production and thereby seed yield. In theory, wider row spacing should produce more flowers/m2 due to more space for stolon proliferation.