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Long-held features on local calendars for showcasing the district’s agricultural strengths, reinforcing community connections in a fun-filled family environment, and celebrating all that it is to be a Kiwi, the Mayfield and Methven A&P shows will run on consecutive weekends this month.

For the next three months we will look at the following: fodder crops, pre-emergence sprays on autumn sown crops, grass grub control in pasture, and use of gibberellic acid to increase pasture growth.

Look back and plan ahead to get the most from your autumn sown cereal crops.

In 2022/23, FAR investigated the viability of sowing legumes into ryegrass re-growth to a) extend the value of the crop by providing high quality feed, and b) reduce the N fertiliser spend for the next year (nitrogen fertiliser costs frequently make up more than half of farm expenses).

As I write this update, Canterbury’s Port Hills are burning. With evacuations, monsoon buckets, helicopters, tired firefighters, it all feels very familiar after similar events in 2017. For some time, fire risk has been extreme in many areas throughout New Zealand. The silver lining to this has been excellent conditions for grain and seed harvest, with many arable growers keeping up with harvest without the stresses of regular rainfall events leading to tight harvest windows.

As the rural communities of New Zealand grapple with the challenges posed by extreme weather events and shifting climate patterns, the call for climate adaptation is growing louder.

The economic outlook, coupled with predicted El Niño weather patterns, means the next few months could be challenging for farmers.

Farmers markets provide a vibrant space for people to access locally sourced, seasonal produce while supporting local agriculture.

Post-emergence nitrogen helps brassicas meet their yield potential. With a little help, kale, turnips, swedes and other brassica forage crops can provide high yields of quality feed.

There is a lot of pride that comes from working in a sector that has the most emissions efficient dairy farmers in the world.