February 2026 Modern proprietary cultivars backed by independent data are the strong preference for Waikato dairy farmer Mike McGehan when he needs reliable and targeted pasture performance. McGehan farms 135ha in the Scotsman Valley and runs a crossbred herd of…
December 2025: The latest Arable Food Industry Council (AFIC) Economic Impact Assessment report is available. The report estimates the economic contribution of New Zealand's arable industry in 2024. Click here to read the full report. Economic impact of New Zealand's arable…
September 2025 Viewing the seasonal and annual yield results for most ryegrass cultivars is just a click or two away for farmers considering re-grassing options in the coming months. They can view the 2025 National Forage Variety Trial (NFVT) results…
September 2025 Arable industry peak bodies are united in support of the voluntary royalty declaration and collection system for farm-saved seed (FSS). New Zealand’s grain and seed industry including plant breeders, in collaboration with Federated Farmers Arable and United Wheat…
August 2025 A forum last week [August 7] in Christchurch to hear experts discuss opportunities for adopting new gene technologies for plant breeding has been hailed a major success. The annual forum is organised by the NZ Plant Breeding and…
June 2025 The dynamic relationship between plants and grazing animals continues to inspire Gemma Box, a passionate plant breeder who sees huge potential in shaping the future of New Zealand agriculture. Growing up on a farm west of Christchurch, Gemma…
June 2025 It takes a team approach to produce a new cultivar of ryegrass, match-fit to meet the future challenges of pastoral farming. Plant breeder Richard George leads a team of 13 staff working on the grass breeding pipeline for…
May 2025 Patience and a willingness to focus on details are two key attributes of successful plant breeders, says James Kinsman. He’s three years into his career as a plant breeder at Cropmark Seeds in Canterbury and says the need…
Choosing pasture seed at bargain prices may seem an attractive way for farmers to reduce autumn or spring re-sowing costs, but it comes with significant risks. As the autumn re-grassing season approaches, the NZ Plant Breeders and Research Association (PBRA)…