PODCAST

Cut the Crop!

Foundation for Arable Research (NZ)

keeping you in the know about everything you grow

science natural sciences

All Episodes

18:17

Turning lucerne into a high-value edible protein

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/09/27

Leaft Foods is a Canterbury-based start-up focused on extracting a special protein called Rubisco from the green leaves of plants. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Maury Leyland Penno and Monica Schwass of Leaft Foods say that while Rubisco is in every green leaf, they have selected to grow lucerne for its production and environmental attributes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10:14

Identifying maize yield robbers

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/09/20

FAR senior maize researcher Rene van Tilburg says that when visiting maize crops, he often finds yield-limiting factors such as soil compaction, weeds and pests such as nematodes. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Anna Heslop what he has been doing since taking on the role.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14:57

Utilising soil N is not “mining” the soil

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/09/18

Some maize growers worry that if they factor in soil N supply when applying fertiliser, this will deplete reserves for future seasons. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR senior researcher Dirk Wallace tells Anna Heslop that soil N is continually being replenished and that by measuring and utilising this, growers can save money without impacting on yields.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15:16

Making the most of irrigation

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/09/06

Ahead of the new irrigation season, FAR regional facilitator and Canterbury irrigation management consultant Cindy Lowe provides some tips on irrigation scheduling. In this episode of Cut the Crop, she says that done correctly, it can save thousands of dollars and improve crop yields.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12:08

Introducing FAR’s new CEO Scott Champion

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/08/30

Since starting as FAR’s new CEO on July 1, Scott Champion has been meeting growers and industry leaders. In this week’s Cut the Crop episode, he tells Anna Heslop that he is looking to explore areas of shared interest with other sectors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14:05

Adding value through research collaborations

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/08/23

Collaborating with overseas maize experts is a good way to learn from their failures and successes, FAR senior researcher Dirk Wallace says in this week’s Cut the Crop episode. Following several visits from United States experts, a new United Kingdom collaboration is looking at maize innovations including late application of foliar nitrogen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22:11

Biosecurity levy update

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/08/16

Seed and Grain Readiness and Response (SGRR) is the biosecurity entity for the arable sector and has played a key role in black-grass and fall armyworm incursions. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s general manager business operations Ivan Lawrie talks about how the biosecurity levy is set and recent changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19:53

FAR’s research programme delivers options

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/08/09

Weeds, pests and diseases and herbicide resistance are just some of the key issues that FAR is researching to provide arable growers with more options for crop management. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s R&D general manager Andy Pitman says that as well as an ongoing programme to increase crop yields, FAR is also looking at ways growers can reduce inputs, and so costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22:02

Nuffield scholar fascinated by Brazil’s scale

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/08/02

During his Nuffield study travels, Central Otago farmer Carlos Bagrie was blown away by the scale and sophistication of arable farming in Brazil. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he tells Anna Heslop that this shows the need for New Zealand to focus on value rather than commodity markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14:41

FAR opportunity for graduates

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/07/26

FAR’s graduate programme provides an introduction to all aspects of arable, from research and agronomy to marketing. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Anna Heslop talks to FAR’s current graduate Catherine Harper and a past participant Sonja Vreugdenhil about how applying for the role has opened up many opportunities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22:27

Dame Alison Stewart reflects on her time at FAR

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/07/05

After seven years at the helm of FAR, chief executive Dame Alison Stewart has stepped down to pursue semi-retirement mixed with science advisory and directorship roles. Her tenure finished at FAR’s conference. In this episode of Cut the Crop, she reflects on her achievements and the biggest challenges facing the arable industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21:46

Native plantings boost crop yields

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/06/28

Research shows that native plantings on farms do more than support biodiversity, they can also boost crop yields. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Plant and Food Research scientist Brad Howlett and retired Mid-Canterbury arable farmer John Evans discuss the role native plants play in supporting pollinating insects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23:11

Irrigation NZ seeks long-term water vision

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/06/21

In this episode of Cut the Crop, Irrigation NZ chief executive Karen Williams says she wants a water strategy developed which brings together individuals and groups reliant on water, rather than it being a political football.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19:44

Ag drones: challenges and opportunities

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/06/14

New Zealand’s agricultural drone industry is doubling every year, with more than 100 drones now used for spraying and spreading. In this episode of Cut the Crop, NZ Ag Drone Association president Craig Simpson and FAR’s technology manager Chris Smith say that while drones offer plenty of potential, there are still unknowns, particularly for broadacre application and efficacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14:23

Cost of Production data shows tight margins

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/06/07

For the last three years, FAR has been collecting Cost of Production data on five key crops, based on a Mid-Canterbury irrigated arable farm case study. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s Ivan Lawrie says that the data shows margins are tight, so any cost savings will have a positive impact.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23:03

Expanding options for spring-sown oilseed crops

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/05/31

Following interest from growers, Canterbury-based Pure Oil NZ has successfully trialled spring-sown oilseed rape using new imported varieties. In this episode of Cut the Crop, Pure Oil agronomy manager Keith Gundry tells Alison Stewart that sunflower yields and planting areas are also increasing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17:35

Cover crops for weed management in maize grain systems

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/05/24

As well as providing benefits such as protecting soil and reducing nitrate leaching, cover crops can also suppress weeds. In this week’s Cut the Crop, FAR senior field research officer Sam McDougall says that in a trial, use of cover crops successfully cut herbicide use from two applications to one.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26:20

Award-winning farmer positive about arable

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/05/17

Hawkes Bay mixed arable and livestock farmers Simon and Lou White, of Ludlow Farms, have just won not one, but two prestigious farming awards. Despite the setbacks of Cyclone Gabrielle and a farm accident, Simon tells Alison Stewart that he is investing in value-add off-farm and is more positive than ever about the future of mixed arable farming.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10:49

FAR conference tackles arable profitability

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/05/10

Profitability is an increasing concern for arable farmers, which is why FAR has chosen it as the theme of its two-day conference, starting June 30. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR Communications Manager Anna Heslop says speakers will discuss how farmers can potentially reduce costs, improve productivity, diversify and adopt new tools.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26:16

Alternative energy options for farmers

Cut the Crop! ·

2025/05/03

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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