FAR’s Technology Manager Chris Smith surveyed growers on their 2025 harvest losses in conjunction with the combine set-up workshops. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says this showed that growers who measure with drop trays, whether commercial or improvised, record half the crop losses of those that don’t.

FAR&rsquo;s Technology Manager Chris Smith surveyed growers on their 2025 harvest losses in conjunction with the combine set-up workshops. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says this showed that growers who measure with drop trays, whether commercial or improvised, record half the crop losses of those that don&rsquo;t.

Measuring harvest loss

The number of growers and crop samples involved in the Grain Nutrient Analysis project, organised by FAR regional facilitator Donna Lill, is increasing each year. In this episode of Cut the Crop, South Otago arable grower Craig Whiteside talks about the changes he has made to crop nutrient applications as a result.

The number of growers and crop samples involved in the Grain Nutrient Analysis project, organised by FAR regional facilitator Donna Lill, is increasing each year. In this episode of Cut the Crop, South Otago arable grower Craig Whiteside talks about the changes he has made to crop nutrient applications as a result.

Samples sought for Grain Nutrient Analysis

Three years on from Cyclone Gabrielle, FAR’s North Island manager Dirk Wallace has been part of a team developing a guide to assist growers to recover from extreme weather events. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he emphasises the importance of patience, rather than knee-jerk reactions.

Three years on from Cyclone Gabrielle, FAR&rsquo;s North Island manager Dirk Wallace has been part of a team developing a guide to assist growers to recover from extreme weather events. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he emphasises the importance of patience, rather than knee-jerk reactions.

Lessons from Cyclone Gabrielle recovery

FAR’s technology manager Chris Smith checked out the latest in precision ag during a visit to the UK and the Agritechnica trade fair in Germany. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says that along with AI applications, there were lots of tine and camera weeding options.

FAR&rsquo;s technology manager Chris Smith checked out the latest in precision ag during a visit to the UK and the Agritechnica trade fair in Germany. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says that along with AI applications, there were lots of tine and camera weeding options.

What’s new in precision ag?

Handshake deals may be a thing of the past following the launch of an Arable Industry Code of Conduct. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Federated Farmers' arable chair David Birkett says that by providing a standardised set of expectations, the code offers greater certainty and aims to prevent costly disputes.

Handshake deals may be a thing of the past following the launch of an Arable Industry Code of Conduct. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Federated Farmers' arable chair David Birkett says that by providing a standardised set of expectations, the code offers greater certainty and aims to prevent costly disputes.

Arable Industry Code of Conduct launched

An updated version of “The drying and storage of grain and herbage seed” book has just been released. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Editor John Hampton, Professor of Seed Technology at Lincoln University, talks about how much drying techniques and technology have changed since the first book was published 26 years ago.

An updated version of &ldquo;The drying and storage of grain and herbage seed&rdquo; book has just been released. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Editor John Hampton, Professor of Seed Technology at Lincoln University, talks about how much drying techniques and technology have changed since the first book was published 26 years ago.

Updated crop drying book released

Arable production underpins the productivity of many key agricultural industries through the supply of grains and seeds directly to both farmers and industry, an AFIC report shows. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s general manager business operations Ivan Lawrie outlines some of the report’s trends and opportunities.

Arable production underpins the productivity of many key agricultural industries through the supply of grains and seeds directly to both farmers and industry, an AFIC report shows. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR&rsquo;s general manager business operations Ivan Lawrie outlines some of the report&rsquo;s trends and opportunities.

Arable underpins other ag sectors, report shows

Ivan Lawrie of FAR was one of a delegation of growers, seed industry people and researchers who attended the 12th International Herbage Seed Group conference at Launceston in Tasmania in November. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he describes some of the similarities and differences in seed production on either side of the Tasman.

Ivan Lawrie of FAR was one of a delegation of growers, seed industry people and researchers who attended the 12th International Herbage Seed Group conference at Launceston in Tasmania in November. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he describes some of the similarities and differences in seed production on either side of the Tasman.

International Herbage Seed Group conference

Fall armyworm’s arrival means an additional caterpillar pest that loves to feed on maize and sweetcorn. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Graham Walker and Jeremy Gonthier of Plant and Food Research, a division of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, talk about the role a tiny parasitic wasp Cotesia ruficrus will have in its control.

Fall armyworm&rsquo;s arrival means an additional caterpillar pest that loves to feed on maize and sweetcorn. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Graham Walker and Jeremy Gonthier of Plant and Food Research, a division of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, talk about the role a tiny parasitic wasp&nbsp;Cotesia ruficrus&nbsp;will have in its control.

Maize pests and their natural enemies

While arable growers have a good handle on in-paddock crop gross margins, many don’t account for their overhead costs like rates and insurance. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Leeston arable farmer David Birkett test drives a new FAR overhead costs spreadsheet.

While arable growers have a good handle on in-paddock crop gross margins, many don&rsquo;t account for their overhead costs like rates and insurance. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Leeston arable farmer David Birkett test drives a new FAR overhead costs spreadsheet.

Overheads calculator: costs not just in-paddock

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