Category Archives: Conference

Agronomy, AgTech, Automation, Conference, Controlled Traffic Systems, Cover crops, Drainage, Fertiliser, Innovation, Irrigation, Membership, MicroFarm, New Crops, Nutrients, Orchard, Plant Health, Precision Agriculture, Research, Soil, Uncategorized, Vegetables, Water, Weeds

Less $$ than a flat white a fortnight

A message to our members and friends

LandWISE runs on a voluntary membership basis with an annual subscription of just $100 for the current year. Subscriptions are now due and our Financial Members will be getting their invoices sent out shortly.

If you are already one of our Financial Members, Thank You! Can you please help us again by recommending us to a friend?

We haven’t changed our subs for years, but are starting to review that. What would be best, is if more of our followers chose to join!

Not a Member? JOIN HERE!

If you’re getting and valuing our newsletters, downloading and listening to our podcasts, accessing the resources on our website or the FertSpread tools etc. please think about giving us a hand.  It really will only cost you about half a cup of coffee a week, but it will make a big difference to us.

How does LandWISE fund its activities?

Our overheads are kept rock-bottom. The MicroFarm, our offices and equipment are provided as an in-kind service by Page Bloomer Associates. Our Board is voluntary, and we meet mostly by email and video conferencing. But we do need to pay accountants and insurance and run websites and the other things every organisation has to do.

Our major activities are funded on a project by project basis. That means we need a lot of support from co-funders so we can access (hopefully) various reasearch and extension grants such as MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFFF). Our Conference too (as podcasts in 2020!) also relies on a number of loyal sponsors and the delegate fees we collect.

Merf explaining cover crops and catch crops at the LandWISE AGM
Merf explaining cover crops and catch crops at the LandWISE AGM

All these things cost a bundle. If we can get more members, we can increase the amount of work we can self-fund and provide more member services. 

Please consider becoming a Financial Member today. Click the link, fill it in and we’ll flick you an invoice.  (and we’ll cover the cost of our own coffees!)

Agronomy, AgTech, Conference, Data Analytics, Innovation, LandWISE People, Projects, Research, Weeds

Anticipating Herbicide Resistance

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Distinguished Professor Philip Hulme is a leading international invasion biologist in the Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, New Zealand. His primary research focus is predicting the risks arising from plant invasions. 

A scientist working on the MBIE funded AgResearch project “Managing Herbicide Resistance”, Philip joins Georgia to discuss the research he and colleagues are doing into non-herbicide weed control. Podcast here>

Philip’s recent work includes examining the traits that underpin the success of invasive species; clarifying the main routes by which these species are introduced to a region, quantifying the impacts of invasive species on these habitats and predicting the potential impact of climate change on invasive species distributions.

Philip and colleagues are applying a “big data” approach to the problem of herbicide resistant weeds (HRW) to improve our information and evidence-base to raise NZ economic productivity. 

Only now are sufficient data available globally on HRW for innovative analyses to quantify the future risks of HRW for NZ – through both unintentional introduction and in situ evolution of resistant genotypes. To date, all approaches worldwide to predict HRW risks have focused on individual weed species and have adopted a population genetic modelling approach to assess the conditions under which resistance may evolve. However, these approaches cannot predict potential risks of new HRW and are not appropriate for screening large numbers of HRW.

Philip’s group is using global datasets on HRW worldwide to establish prior probabilities of HRW risks. The research is structured along four sequential aims that will
a) Predict the assemblage of HRW worldwide that have a high probability of becoming established in NZ and distinguish both onshore and offshore risks
b) Assess the species characteristics that predispose a weed to become herbicide resistant and forecast new HRW threats to NZ
c) Characterise the climatic, agricultural and socioeconomic correlates of global HRW richness to identify the potential drivers of future HRW in NZ, and
d) Formulate and disseminate national and sector-specific strategies for avoidance of future HRW in NZ.

Many thanks Philip, and our virtual conference sponsors

Agronomy, Conference, Cover crops, Projects, Research, Weeds

Non-Herbicide Weed Control – New Options

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Trevor James and Katherine Tozer are scientists working on the MBIE funded AgResearch project “Managing Herbicide Resistance”, and join Georgia to discuss their two areas of research into non-herbicide weed control.
 

Interview Part 1: Trevor James

Trevor James is a senior scientist at AgResearch responsible for the “Managing Herbicide Resistance” project.

Aside from his role as manager of the many scientists working on the project he is  researching the potential for cover crops to control weeds in maize.

Interview Part 2: Katherine Tozer

Katherine Tozer, another senior scientist at AgResearch is working on tools and practices to improve non-chemical weed management. A key area of her research is pasture fallow, a practice where certain paddocks or parts of the farm are set aside to reduce weed establishment from overgrazing.

Podcast here>

The LandWISE Podcast Series is made possible by our sponsors:

AgTech, Automation, Conference, Innovation, Precision Agriculture, Robotics, Sensing

Agricultural Robotics: part of the new deal?

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A silver lining on the Covid-Cloud is online conferences. Here’s one few of us in this part of the world would get to, but now it’s an online event, attendance is just a click away!

Since 2016, the International Forum on Agriculturral Robotics FIRA has been must-attend event for professionals in the agricultural robotics sector. Initiated and organized in Toulouse by the French company Naio Technologies, FIRA is now presented by GOFAR – the association Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics, founded in 2019.

GOFAR is launching the virtual edition of its annual event, which runs from 8 to 10 December, 2020. FIRA 2020 will provide international participants with online live access to speakers, booths tours and interactions with exhibitors and other participants, and will thus become the social network for agricultural robotics.

This 3-day new format combines innovation and quality online experience for a sector that has a key role to play to address thcurrent environmental, economic and social issues. For those of us in another hemisphere, presentations wil be available to registrants to access as soon as they have been aired.

Registration: www.fira-agtech.com

More information here>

Naio OZ440 at LandWISE Conference

 

Agronomy, AgTech, Conference, Innovation, Plant Health, Planting, Research, Soil

Harnessing the Power of Microbes

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This week we hear from Dr Johanna Steyaert, Trichoderma research scientist and molecular biologist and Max Purnell, Trichoderma practitioner and dairy farmer. Johanna and Max will talk about their work with Trichoderma a type of fungi that lives in symbiosis with plant roots, where they can increase nitrogen use efficiency and solubilise phosphate as well as protect against root diseases. 

Listen here>

 

“Spray-free” is an oft cited aspiration as the shift towards regenerative practices continues. An important part of such a strategy is the use of bioinoculants such as Trichoderma in place of traditional chemicals. However, it is not quite as simple as that. Beneficial microbes form part of a large interconnected web, a biological and chemical ‘superhighway’. Understanding those relationships is the foundation for understanding how to better optimise growth promotion and biocontrol.

Dr Johanna Steyaert is a senior scientist at Lincoln Agritech Ltd with 20 years’ experience working with Trichoderma bioinoculants used for disease control and growth promotion. Her research spans understanding the genetics of Trichoderma fungi to optimising production of biocontrol agents in collaboration with commercial partners. After completing her PhD, Johanna won a prestigious Marsden Fund grant from the New Zealand Royal Society. She led a highly original project studying the effect of the Earth’s electromagnetic field on fungal reproduction. Johanna has a strong interest in regenerative practices and the role Trichoderma play.

Max Purnell, was a member of the AGMARDT board for 10 years where his interest in soils and background in farming lead him to become interested in the work of Dr. Robert Hill who pioneered Trichoderma research in New Zealand. Max runs an 80 ha dairy farm in Thames, and takes a soils-first approach to farming. He has experimented with several strains of Trichoderma on the farm, and has supported research to collect Trichoderma fungi and observe their benefits to the farm system.

Thanks to our LandWISE Conference sponsors who continued their support by helping with the podcasts series after our May 2020 conference was Covid Cancelled.

Agronomy, AgTech, Conference, Cover crops, Planting, Precision Agriculture, Projects, Research, Tillage

Strip-Till and Cover Crops Panel Discussion

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The “Strip-Till and Cover Crops Panel” Panel Discussion was recorded in September following a series of earlier podcasts. Panellists included:

  • Hugh Ritchie (HB Farmer, Strip-tiller, LandWISE Honorary Member)
  • John Evans (Canterbury Farmer, Strip-tiller, LandWISE Chair)
  • Allister Holmes, (Technology R&D Manager, FAR)
  • Charles (Merf) Merfield (BHU, Independent Cover Crops and Tillage Researcher)

If you’re interested to hear the panel members’ individual podcasts, plus one from Simon Lochhead, Strip-till farmer in Canterbury, follow these links:

Down load the LandWISE Strip-Till guide here>

All Podcast Episodes here >

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news from LandWISE including future panel webcasts, and podcast episodes.

Agronomy, Conference, Soil, Tillage

Podcast – Strip Tillage for Vegetable Seed Crops

Listen to the Podcast Episode here >

Simon Lochhead joins the podcast to discuss adopting strip tillage in his wide-row vegetable seed cropping. An arable farmer from mid-Canterbury, Simon has been introducing strip tillage to his farm system over the last 3 years. He could recognise the opportunity to preserve the benefits of soil structure gained through a pasture phase and reduce wind erosion of soil, by transitioning to strip-tillage for his wide row vegetable seed crops. Listen to the full discussion above.

 

Agronomy, Conference, events, Research, Uncategorized, Weeds

Managing Herbicide Resistance – Panel Discussion

LandWISE: Promoting Sustainable Crop Production
LandWISE: Promoting Sustainable Crop Production
Managing Herbicide Resistance - Panel Discussion
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The Live Panel Discussion with the Managing Herbicide Resistance guests was held on Tuesday 28th July after our presenters featured on the LandWISE Podcast. Guests included:

  • Associate Professor Kerry Harrington (Massey University)
  • Chris Buddenhagen (AgResearch)
  • Martin Espig (AgResearch)
  • Robyn Dynes (AgResearch)
  • John Evans & Kai Tegels (Arable Farmers)

The recording starts with the panel members introducing themselves, along with a quick synopsis of their topic content.

If you’re interested to hear the episodes from Kerry Harrington & Hossein Ghanizadeh, Chris Buddenhagen, Martin Espig & Robyn Dynes, and John Evans & Kai Tegels, you can listen to their individual podcast episodes here:

All Podcast Episodes here >

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news from LandWISE including future panel webcasts, and podcast episodes.

Agronomy, Conference, events, LandWISE People, Membership, MicroFarm, Nutrients, Projects, Uncategorized, Vegetables

LandWISE AGM – Tuesday 21st July

Our 2020 Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 21st of July at the Green Shed in Hastings. After missing the annual conference catch-up, we were grateful to reconnect with existing members and meet some new ones!

We thank Ollie Knowles for his input as a Board member over the last three years. Ollie played a significant role in the review of our strategy and was a solid contributor with great knowledge of science extension. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Ollie.

We welcome Simon White to the Board following his appointment at the AGM. Simon runs the family’s Ludlow Farm at Otane in Hawke’s Bay. He is an experienced strip-tiller and no-tiller producing a range of arable, specialist seed and vegetable crops along with finishing beef and lamb. Simon is also co-founder and director of Kanapu Hemp Foods, growing, harvesting, processing and marketing a range of products.

AGM attendees heard LandWISE project updates from the past twelve months, and contributed to some great discussion around nutrient management and cover cropping.

Merf explaining cover crops and catch crops at the LandWISE AGM
Merf explaining cover crops and catch crops at the LandWISE AGM

This year we were joined by guest speaker, and longtime LandWISE member, Charles “Merf” Merfield. Merf presented on cover crops, their benefits and challenges for a variety of horticultural and arable systems. In case you missed it, you can view his presentation here.

LandWISE Staff presented on progress updates from our three major projects Future Proofing Vegetable Production, Smart Tools for Orchard Drainage, and Managing Herbicide Resistance:

Thank you again to all those that came, we look forward to seeing more of you at a field day, workshop, or on-farm sometime soon!

Conference, events, Projects, Research, Uncategorized, Weeds

Podcast: Identifying Instances of Resistance

Our latest podcast episode is here. This July we’re focussing on Managing Herbicide Resistance – we’ll keep you posted with new episodes, and the panel discussion with our July guests coming soon.

Identifying Instances of Resistance

Associate Professor Kerry Harrington and Dr. Hossein Ghanizadeh join us to talk about their work developing a quick test to identify herbicide resistance in weeds.

Listen here >

Associate Professor Kerry Harrington (left) has been lecturing and conducting research in Weed Science at Massey University since 1983, and research officer Dr Hossein Ghanizadeh (right) has been working on herbicide resistance at Massey since 2011.

Herbicide resistance occurs following the build-up of individual weeds that have an inherited ability to survive the application of herbicides that would kill normal plants of that species, such as fathen plants that have developed resistance to atrazine then later also dicamba in Waikato maize crops.

This differs from herbicide tolerance, where all individuals of a species have always survived a herbicide, such as white clover poorly controlled by glyphosate. Some herbicide resistance is target-site resistance, where the site in the plant where a herbicide normally acts has changed so that it is no longer affected by the herbicide.

Other types of resistance are non-target site, so-called because there hasn’t been a change at the site of action, but instead some other mechanism stops the herbicide getting to that site of action. This might be caused by reduced penetration into the weed, or perhaps reduced movement of the herbicide once inside the plant, as can occur with glyphosate resistance in ryegrass.

Resistant ryegrass in Marlborough vineyard

A quick test would enable faster identification of herbicide resistance allowing for faster response to a growing issue. However, Kerry stresses preventing resistance is the first defence, and has developed a series of guidelines for farmers and growers around rotating herbicides and varying herbicide groups for different growing scenarios.

These guidelines can be found here at the Plant Protection Society‘s website:

Herbicide Resistance Principles

Herbicide Modes of Action

Cases of Herbicide Resistance in New Zealand

Listen to Podcast Episodes online here ->

JULY: Managing Herbicide Resistance

Episode
Podcast
Release Date
6 Identifying Instances of Herbicide Resistances (Kerry Harrington & Hossein Ghanizadeh, Massey University) 3rd July 2020
7 Surveying Herbicide Resistance (Chris Buddenhagen, AgResearch) 10th July 2020
8 Drivers of Herbicide Use (Martin Espig & Robyn Dynes, AgResearch) 24th July 2020
9 The Herbicide Tool Box & On-Farm Biodiversity (John Evans & Kai Tegels, Tregynon Farms) 24th July 2020
10 LIVE PANEL DISCUSSION

Register here

 Tuesday 28th July

1:00pm