Cut the Crop! Foundation for Arable Research (NZ)
-
- Science
Welcome to Cut the Crop! - keeping you in the know about everything you grow.
Presented by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), an applied research and information transfer organisation responsible primarily to New Zealand arable growers.
Researchers, growers and other interesting folk delivering insights and information on topics ranging from agronomy to profitability. Tune in weekly to cultivate your knowledge and add value to your cropping business.
www.cutthecrop.co.nz
For more information about FAR visit: www.far.org.nz
-
Telling our farming story
Visiting United States Professor of Agricultural Communications Dwayne Cartmell says that US farmers, like their Kiwi counterparts, often feel that the general public doesn’t understand what they do. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Anna Heslop that farmers need to tell their stories without getting bogged down in science, or getting defensive.
-
Management of birds on arable farms
Birds provide biodiversity, but on arable farms can cause significant crop losses and farmers have few options for effectively controlling bird damage. In this episode of Cut the Crop, University of Canterbury masters student Fergus Lowen outlines his study comparing common bird deterrents and bird activity in exotic and native hedgerows.
-
Is tine weeding an option for weed control?
Mechanical weeding is being researched by FAR senior field research officer Charles Merfield (Merf) as a way of reducing herbicide applications. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Alison Stewart that rather than being a relic of the past, the technology is advancing rapidly and can offer exceptional levels of weed control.
-
What’s happening at FAR’s research sites?
There is always plenty of interesting trial work happening at FAR’s two Canterbury research sites, Chertsey and Kowhai Farm near Lincoln. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR researcher Owen Gibson says that as well as cereal and herbage seed small plot trial work, technology is also being evaluated.
-
Grower group tackles minimum till challenges
A Growers Leading Change group is working to dispel the belief that minimum tillage is too challenging for crop establishment in parts of the lower North Island. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Marton grower David Lee-Jones tells Anna Heslop that having achieved comparable yields for maize, the group is now turning its attention to cereals.
-
Southern Arable Hub: feedback sought
A Southern Arable Hub at Knapdale near Gore was established by FAR early last year to provide a focus for Southland and South Otago arable farmers. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR deputy board chair and Southland farmer Steve Wilkins tells Anna Heslop that suggestions are sought from growers on planting options, including more marginal crops like maize.