Growing high-value crops under solar panels

A new solar farm at Lincoln University aims to show how productive land can be optimised to grow high-value crops while generating commercial-scale solar energy. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Lincoln lecturer in arable crop production Pieter-Willem Hendriks says that microclimate changes under t…

Taking time to connect with others

Craig ‘Wiggy’ Wiggins has numerous roles in the rural sector but is best known for being the driving force behind several rural health and wellness initiatives. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says that it is about connecting with and supporting people and not being afraid to ask someone if the…

Fall armyworm: four years on

It is more than four years since maize pest fall armyworm was first detected in NZ. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s biosecurity officer Ash Mills, who leads an SFFF long-term management project, says one of the biggest knowledge gaps is fall armyworm overwintering.

New FAR Strategy launched

FAR has just launched its new five-year strategy, setting a clear direction for the organisation. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR chief executive Scott Champion says the strategy reflects the organisation’s commitment to connecting growers with science and information to support successful ara…

South Australian grower goes from drought to rain

After battling severe drought, early-season rain means South Australian grower James Venning has had a perfect start planting this year’s crops. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says that while he hasn’t suffered the mice plagues of some areas, he still needs to lay poison bait when planting can…

Visiting experts target spray accuracy

Canadian spray experts Tom Wolf and Jason Deveau are leading a series of Sprayers 101 workshops organised by FAR, in the first two weeks of August. In this episode of Cut the Crop, they say they will be discussing everything from water volume and droplet size to spray pressure, while raising a note…

Cereals UK 2026: what’s new?

Hawkes Bay arable and vegetable grower Hugh Ritchie was one of a contingent of NZ growers who attended the Cereals UK event, as well as some in Europe. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says that more accurate spraying equipment being widely adopted there, as well as AI weeding for specialist cro…

FAR director Michael Tayler optimistic on arable

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.

Arable under pressure, but full of possibility

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.

Ploughing champion Mark Dillon sets it straight

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 …