| 21 Weeks of overcast, humid conditions and larger amounts of rain in all grain growing regions except Southland and parts of South Otago resulted in below average to poor quality and yields “I think the arable industry is in a positive position at the moment, as there is now more reason to source and utilise New Zealand grain, more than ever.” ARABLE » Rutherford Wilson Industry still in a positive position Russell Fredric New Zealand farmers have broken the world wheat and barley records. Despite a 2022 harvest that went against the grain, South Canterbury arable farmer Rutherford Wilson believes the industry is in a positive position. The harvest was described by United Wheat Growers (UWG) chairman Brian Leadly as one most growers would choose to forget. Weeks of overcast, humid conditions and larger amounts of rain in all grain growing regions except Southland and parts of South Otago resulted in below average to poor quality and yields. Rutherford and his wife Jane grow about 150ha of feed wheat, 100ha of barley and the balance in oil seed rape on four separate blocks totalling 335ha at Waimate. The oil seed rape is part of the farm’s rotation, using it as a break crop. This allows a change in management, early harvesting and a fallow period before early autumn wheat is planted. Some second wheat is grown on the property and then the following year autumn barley is sown. The majority of the wheat is used for egg production, while the barley goes to the dairy industry. Rutherford describes the past two years harvest as being marginal due to difficult weather conditions, resulting in lower yields. However it wasn’t all bad news for Rutherford, who won this year’s UWG feed wheat award with the Graham wheat cultivar. The awards cover premium milling, milling, gristing, feed and biscuit wheat. Winners of each class were announced at the 2022 Arable Awards of New Zealand gala dinner held in Christchurch on August 4. “South Canterbury farmers shone through at the awards, as Mid Canterbury didn’t have a very good harvesting period for cereals due to the weather. South Canterbury may have had a better weather window from grain fill through to getting the crops off,” Rutherford says. He estimates yields would have averaged about 9.5 tonnes to 10 tonnes to the hectare this last harvest across the range. The problem now is, that we need to have higher average yields with the increases in cost of production. Everybody is looking at their gross margins, crops to grow and research data provided. The Foundation for Arable Research, an independent organisation which supports arable farmers by creating new knowledge, tools and technologies to support responsible and profitable farming, has a crucial role to play in the industry. “We are lucky to have passionate people that work for and support the organisation,” Rutherford says “I think the arable industry is in a positive position at the moment, as there is now more reason to source and utilise New Zealand grain, more than ever.” New Zealand farmers have broken the world wheat and barley records, they are passionate and really enjoy their job, industry and all it offers. Sometimes we just need the weather to not go against us and allow all things all align up. German-made quality Call George Andrews: 027 225 4566 www.ikonmac.nz Like us on Facebook rural Fuel. Delivered. On Demand. Pleased to support Rutherford Wilson with on-site fuel. fill.co.nz
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