Crops and Forage

Diverse pasture mixes are often misunderstood and require a clear strategy to be beneficial says a Massey University professor at the 2026 Beef + Lamb NZ AgInnovation Conference. Words Rebecca Greaves.

Maize has become a reliable and valuable crop for King Country farmers Matt and Olivia Buckley, but changing seasons and growing pressure from damaging insect populations mean consistently good yields don’t happen without effort. Words Anne Lee.

Stu and Ginny Neal do not take their responsibilities around winter forage crop management lightly. The South Canterbury couple start planning their winter forage crop rotation three years in advance, with assiduous attention paid to animal welfare and environmental protection. Words Sandra Taylor.

Jess Ross worries that without adequate access to the latest biologicals and biopesticide options, New Zealand fruit and arable growers are going to be left scrambling. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

A 10-year Lincoln University long-term pasture persistence trial (PPT), looking at different grass species, predominantly perennial ryegrass, is unique in its duration and ability to evaluate the performance of a range of grass cultivars.Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

As growers move from blocks near urban centres to the plains, Seed & Grain NZ highlights the rising challenge of “neighbouring” crops. With market gardeners and seed growers now operating side-by-side, collaborative management is vital to safeguard seed quality for everyone involved. Words Seed & Grain NZ.

Taking a bird’s eye view is bringing a level of accuracy to a range of on-farm practices, allowing precise plant counts for crops such as fodder beet and giving pinpoint positioning of disease issues. Words Anne Lee.

Northland farmers at the sharp end of climate change are putting their experience and knowledge to good use, working with DairyNZ and research partners to develop pasture mixes that will underpin hardy and sustainable farming systems for a changing climate. Words Inside Dairy - DairyNZ. Photos Craig Brown.

Drier, low fertility soils, span over 500,000ha of New Zealand farmland and in many cases traditional white and red clover struggle and in some cases so does lucerne. Dr. Lucy Bell explores the future commercial potential of new legume species. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Understanding how pasture plants grow will give farmers the ability to manage pastures to optimise productivity, persistence and profitability.