Scottish farmer and agronomist, Gordon Rennie, aka “The Oatfather” talks to Alison Stewart about the how the war in Ukraine is affecting friends living there, UK fuel and fertiliser prices and world food security. He also takes time to remind us that “we don’t know how lucky we are”!

Three months into 2022 and there’s been a lot going on for FAR and the arable industry. FAR CEO Alison Stewart joins Anna Heslop to talk about the weather, harvesting trials, greenhouse gas consultations and biosecurity incursions.

In the last four seasons, cocksfoot seed growers have been battling an unknown disease that has reduced yields by up to 75%.

Today we’re talking to Richard Chynoweth from FAR about the work that went into identifying the mystery disease, and the management plan’s that are emerging.

A Growers Leading Change group in Eiffelton, near Ashburton, is investigating options for improving both environmental issues and farm profits. In this episode of Cut the Crop we talk to neighbours Will McKenzie and Angus McKenzie about why they set up the group and what they’ve learned in their first year.

For more information visit, https://www.far.org.nz/growers_leading_change

Do you know your anions from your cations? Can you rely on the release of anaerobically mineralisable N? Do your consultant’s recommended application rates make sense? In this edition of Cut the Crop we talk to Jeff Morton, from MortonAg about understanding and optimising your farm’s soil fertility.

Links

FAR Focus: The confidence to cut back

Managing soil fertility on cropping farms

FAR Strategy: Nitrogen application in wheat and barley

FAR Strategy: Nitrogen application in perennial ryegrass seed crops 

You can’t do much about the weather, but you can choose a cereal cultivar that will be better able to cope with whatever the seasons throw at it.

That’s the message from FAR Cereal Researcher Jo Drummond in this episode of Cut the Crop, which identifies some potential disease hangovers from the most recent harvest season and how they might affect following crops.

The wet summer didn’t help harvest much, but it’s been great for slugs, grass grub and weed seed set. In this edition of Cut the Crop, Richard Chynoweth advises arable growers to monitor pests before and after sowing and make sure they have access to the chemicals they need for weed control.

The wet summer didn’t help harvest much, but it’s been great for slugs, grass grub and weed seed set. In this edition of Cut the Crop, Richard Chynoweth advises arable growers to monitor pests before and after sowing and make sure they have access to the chemicals they need for weed control.

From 2025 farmers will have to pay for agricultural greenhouse gas emissions – now is your chance to have your say about what that payment system should look like.

In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR CEO Alison Stewart outlines the three pricing options being considered and urges you to give us your feedback on the pros and cons of each.

The consultation closes at the end of March, so have a listen, and have your say.

Complete the emissions pricing survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CGR67Q7

Cultivation practices, winter fallows, setback widths and planting plans can all impact on just how much soil a farm may lose during a major rainfall event. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Alison Stewart talks to FAR’s Abie Horrocks about the findings of recently completed research project call “Good management practices for setbacks on arable farms.