Solar farms are popping up across New Zealand, but is this an option on high-value arable land? In this episode of Cut the Crop, Anna Heslop talks to Alan Brent, Professor of sustainable energy systems at Victoria University of Wellington about how alternative energy technology is transforming rapidly and what factors farmers need to consider.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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26:16
Opportunities and challenges for arable
Canterbury rural professional and farmer Thomas Holmes last year participated in the Kellogg Rural Leadership programme, focusing his study on opportunities and challenges for arable. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Alison Stewart that arable growers need to collaborate more and consider co-ops.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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26:47
Reducing the weed seed burden at harvest
Chaff decks, attached to the back of a combine harvester to reduce the weed seed burden, are widely used in Australia, but have not been adopted in NZ. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Chris Smith and Charles Merfield of FAR outline the results of a Canterbury chaff deck demonstration and why growers should consider using one.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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16:17
Future Farm project expands to Southland
After a second harvest, a FAR demonstration block at Chertsey is showing the potential gains from using more future focused approaches including direct drilling and fewer inputs where possible. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR researcher Owen Gibson talks about the latest results as well as detailing a second similar project in Southland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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15:06
Get involved with your ARG
Levy payers wanting to have more say in FAR’s research priorities and activities now have a great opportunity to be more involved. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR Board chair Steven Bierema says nominations are open to participate in your local Arable Research Group (ARG), a direct communication link between growers and FAR staff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New Zealand