Entries are open until May 11 for the United Wheatgrowers annual wheat competition, with the contest split into four categories: feed, milling-gristing, milling premium and biscuit.
United Wheatgrowers director and contest organiser Michael Taylor said there is also a protein trophy that recognises the grower with the crop that has the maximum protein yield a hectare.
Even if a grower does not have an excellent crop, the competition is a chance to mix with the sector’s best and learn what how to turn an average crop in to a top one.
The competition fits with the Foundation for Arable Research aim to achieve yields of 20 tonnes a hectare by 2020 through research on crop type, sowing times and post-plant treatment.
Indications are that this year’s crop yields were slightly back on last year, in part because of the early hot and dry weather.
The competition is designed to also lift the profile of the industry and last year there were 103 entries.
Taylor hopes to at least match that this year.
“Arable farming can be very challenging at times and we don’t have a lot of awards compared to some sectors so it is good to have something that raises the profile of a very skilled sector as much as it also recognises those world-class farmers who do well within it.”
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Entry forms are available at www.ruralco.co.nz or www.uwg.co.nz
