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What really drives wheat yield and are growers missing out on the crop’s full potential?

This is one of the topics under discussion at the Foundation for Arable Research’s annual big day out at its Chertsey research site near Ashburton on Wednesday November 26.

A must-do on the agricultural calendar for arable farmers, ARIA 2025 (Arable Research in Action) promises plenty of inspiring talks and practical take-home messages.     

Leading the discussion on wheat cultivar performance is FAR researcher Jacqueline Straathof and Lincoln University senior lecturer Mariana Andreucci. They will present combined insights from cultivar performance trials and crop physiology to uncover what drives yield under New Zealand conditions and if there are realistic opportunities to lift productivity.

In another related topic, FAR research leader Jo Drummond in conjunction with industry, will discuss growing milling wheat crops that meet both millers’ and bakers’ needs. “Growing milling wheat is as much an art as it is a science and we know we can produce a high-quality product. What can we learn to support the process from silo to slice,” she says.  

Two overseas speakers, both regular visitors to New Zealand, will also feature. Firstly, Australian entomologist Paul Horne, an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) expert will lead a discussion on functional biodiversity plantings with Brad Howlett of the Bioeconomy Science Institute (Plant and Food). 

The second overseas speaker, herbage seed researcher Nicole Anderson, formerly of Oregon, United States, and now based in Norway, will discuss the development of a portable sensor for rapid measurement of moisture content in grass seed.

In terms of environmental work, FAR senior researcher Abie Horrocks, in conjunction with grower speakers, will discuss on-farm examples of managing critical source areas, small areas on a farm that contribute a disproportionately large amount of contaminants to waterways.   

Other talks include weed management, canopy management for ryegrass seed crops, ryegrass stem rust fungicide programmes and constraints on red clover seed yields.

ARIA runs from 10.45am to 3.30pm, with lunch supplied. All nine 30-minute talks are held twice, both in the morning and again in the afternoon.

As well as hearing the latest developments in arable research, ARIA provides an opportunity for people to enjoy a day away from the farm and take the time to make important social connections as well as looking to the future of their business.

ARIA is on Wednesday November 26 from 10.45am to 3.30pm at FAR’s Chertsey Arable Research Site, SH1, 1904 Rakaia Highway.  

To register for this event, visit the website https://www.far.org.nz/events