South Canterbury grower Michael Tayler is one of three new FAR board members. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says that while crop margins are tight at present, he’s optimistic about the arable industry’s future.

South Canterbury grower Michael Tayler is one of three new FAR board members. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says that while crop margins are tight at present, he&rsquo;s optimistic about the arable industry&rsquo;s future.

FAR director Michael Tayler optimistic on arable

Andrew Laming, a founder and director of farm finance and advisory business NZAB, recently wrote a report on the arable sector. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says it is not a question of arable farmers’ capability to grow crops, but more about business management and positioning.

Andrew Laming, a founder and director of farm finance and advisory business NZAB, recently wrote a report on the arable sector. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says it is not a question of arable farmers&rsquo; capability to grow crops, but more about business management and positioning.

Arable under pressure, but full of possibility

Southland mixed arable farmer Mark Dillon has turned part of an arable farmer’s toolkit – ploughing – into an artform. He has won the NZ Ploughing Champs in the conventional ploughing category five times, qualifying him for world events. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says the straightness of furrows is key.

Southland mixed arable farmer Mark Dillon has turned part of an arable farmer&rsquo;s toolkit &ndash; ploughing &ndash; into an artform. He has won the NZ Ploughing Champs in the conventional ploughing category five times, qualifying him for world events. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says the straightness of furrows is key.

Ploughing champion Mark Dillon sets it straight

Recently appointed FAR board director Hamish Irwin came from an accounting background before taking over the running of his family’s Mid Canterbury arable farm. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says he’s a fan of spreadsheets and online tools to monitor his business.

Recently appointed FAR board director Hamish Irwin came from an accounting background before taking over the running of his family&rsquo;s Mid Canterbury arable farm. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says he&rsquo;s a fan of spreadsheets and online tools to monitor his business.

FAR director Hamish Irwin: from accounting to arable farming

TheNZ Grown Grains logo is starting to appear on products in bakeries, supermarkets and online, as well as on vehicles and shop windows. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s general manager business operations Ivan Lawrie says the campaign feeds into increasing consumer interest in domestic food security.

The NZ Grown Grains logo is starting to appear on products in bakeries, supermarkets and online, as well as on vehicles and shop windows. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR&rsquo;s general manager business operations Ivan Lawrie says the campaign feeds into increasing consumer interest in domestic food security.

NZ Grown Grains gains momentum

Central Hawkes Bay farmer Ed White is one of three new FAR board members who started on January 1. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he talks about the role of FAR, rising costs and the repercussions of both Wattie’s and McCain Foods closing frozen vegetable processing factories in the region.

Central Hawkes Bay farmer Ed White is one of three new FAR board members who started on January 1. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he talks about the role of FAR, rising costs and the repercussions of both Wattie&rsquo;s and McCain Foods closing frozen vegetable processing factories in the region.

FAR director Ed White on closures and costs

It’s time to recognise arable’s high achievers, with nominations being sought for seven categories in this year’s Arable Awards. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR Communications Manager Anna Heslop says that a tough season shouldn’t diminish the opportunity to celebrate the arable industry and its people

It&rsquo;s time to recognise arable&rsquo;s high achievers, with nominations being sought for seven categories in this year&rsquo;s Arable Awards. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR Communications Manager Anna Heslop says that a tough season shouldn&rsquo;t diminish the opportunity to celebrate the arable industry and its people

Nominations sought for 2026 Arable Awards

High diesel and fertiliser prices are front of mind for growers during this busy autumn planting season. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s Technology Manager Chris Smith says easy savings of up to 20 per cent can be made by picking the right-sized tractor for the job, as well as using GPS guidance and avoiding overlaps.

High diesel and fertiliser prices are front of mind for growers during this busy autumn planting season. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR&rsquo;s Technology Manager Chris Smith says easy savings of up to 20 per cent can be made by picking the right-sized tractor for the job, as well as using GPS guidance and avoiding overlaps.

Make every pass pay

In this episode of Cut the Crop, Scott Champion talks to three growers in Southland, Canterbury and Wairoa about how autumn planting is progressing, their decision making around crop options and how they are mitigating rising diesel and fertiliser prices.

In this episode of Cut the Crop, Scott Champion talks to three growers in Southland, Canterbury and Wairoa about how autumn planting is progressing, their decision making around crop options and how they are mitigating rising diesel and fertiliser prices.

Growers react to higher diesel and fertiliser prices

Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) is a nitrogen budgeting tool to help growers optimise their nitrogen management practices. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Andrew Barber of Agrilink tells Scott Champion that while the tool was initially set up for vegetable growers it now also incorporates arable crops.

Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) is a nitrogen budgeting tool to help growers optimise their nitrogen management practices. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Andrew Barber of Agrilink tells Scott Champion that while the tool was initially set up for vegetable growers it now also incorporates arable crops.

SVS nitrogen decision support tool available

keeping you in the know about everything you grow

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