Cropping technologies, the role of genetics in disease management, biosecurity, the habits of good future farmers and opportunities for the arable industry would be discussed.
Day one would also take in a field trip and the Process Vegetables NZ annual meeting.
Two international speakers had been confirmed for the second day that would cover farms systems, agronomy, and weeds, pests and diseases.
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Knowledge Exchange director Susannah Bolton, from Britain, would cover arable research and managing uncertainty in a changing world while Argentine No-Till Association member Edmundo Nolan would talk about his experience of no-till farming.
The conference was at Lincoln University on June 29 and 30. For more information and to register go to www.far.org.nz.
The Federated Farmers arable conference, including the industry’s annual meeting, would precede the FAR conference at the Lincoln Events Centre on June 28.
The federation conference included sessions on rural fire, biosecurity and grain and seed markets.
The United Wheatgrowers annual awards and Federated Farmers awards dinner would be held in the evening.
For more information email arable industry adviser prawlinson@fedfarm.org.nz or phone 021512971.
Meantime, the industry was looking for graduates interested in a career in the arable sector.
Applications for the foundation’s 2018 graduate programme were now open.
FAR chief executive Nick Pyke said the graduate programme was designed specifically to introduce young people to all aspects of the industry from agronomy to marketing.
“We are looking for graduates with a degree in science, agriculture or agricultural commerce who want a career working with some of the world’s best cropping farmers,” Pyke said.
The FAR graduate programme runs for one year and offers the opportunity to learn all aspects of the NZ cropping industry through time spent with experienced agronomists and internationally recognised researchers.
For more information go to www.far.org.nz/about/careers/studentships
Applications closed on July 28.
