Grower-focused research and international perspectives will be in the spotlight when the Foundation for Arable Research holds its conference later this month.
FAR chief executive Alison Stewart said the conference is an opportunity to learn from leading industry and academic experts, as well as a chance to connect with other growers.
“Our expert national and international speakers will cover topics such as nutrient use efficiency, future-focused research, keeping up with agrichemicals and their alternatives, and soil management.
“Growers will gain valuable insights into the latest trends and best practices in the arable industry.”
The theme of this year’s conference is Growers Leading Change, with three of the four sessions including a farmer panel.
These will discuss how farmers are using research on farm, what’s working for them and why they would or would not adopt new innovations.
The theme also links with the successful Growers Leading Change (GLC) programme, established by FAR in 2020 with funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries, where groups of arable growers can focus on a particular on-farm issue, or try out new technology or management with the assistance of a facilitator and FAR researchers.
More than 15 GLC arable growth groups are now operating throughout arable regions.
International speakers at the conference include Chris Preston, a professor of weed management at the University of Adelaide, who will speak on herbicide resistance and lessons from the Australian experience for New Zealand growers.
David Aglen, who has hosted the Strategic Cereal Farm in Scotland since 2020, the equivalent of a GLC Pathfinder farm, will speak on increasing plant and soil health and reducing inputs.
Head of crop performance with ADAS consultancy and an honorary professor with the University of Nottingham RogerSylvester-Bradley will speak on nitrogen and how United Kingdom farms build confidence to cut back.
Paul Gosling of the UK’s grower and industry-funded Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board will talk about breeding cereals for integrated pest management.
Speakers from the UK will attend via Zoom.
FAR speakers include Stewart and researchers Richard Chynoweth, Jo Drummond and Abie Horrocks.
A new feature is an agtech expo with more than 30 exhibits covering the latest in precision ag, irrigation, fertiliser and biological and tech products.
The grower-led biennial conference will be held on June 29 and 30 at the Lincoln Event Centre.
The event will consist of four indoor sessions, a mini arable-technology expo and a conference dinner.
To register for the conference go to: www.far.org.nz
