Arable

The arable industry is a small, but vital part of New Zealand’s primary industries.  Traditionally, the arable industry focused on production of cereal crops (wheat, barley and maize) and rye grass seed, but in recent years to optimise profitability and productivity, the industry has diversified to include production of other cereal grain crops, specialist small seed and vegetable crops, forage brassicas, and seed for multiplication.  New Zealand’s weed, pest and disease free status means that arable farmers are world leaders in seed production for multiplication onto the international market.  Growers of cereal grains supply 25 per cent of wheat used to produce New Zealand bread, all beer made in New Zealand is produced using domestically produced malting barley.  Growers also produce a significant amount of feed which goes into the livestock industry and also produce all the pasture grasses used by this sector. According to the BERL report, the arable industry contributed $737m to GDP in 2015.

The views of members of the Arable Industry Group are represented by the Industry Group Council (consisting of Arable Chairpersons from most Federated Farmers provinces), an elected Executive and Chairperson.  Federated Farmers Arable focuses on developing sensible policy to influence local, regional and central Government, wider industry and community groups.  Activities of recent years include:

  • Biosecurity including velvetleaf, pea weevil and blackgrass responses, and submitting on draft Import Health Standards of interest
  • Ensuring that the fire permitting for crop residue burning is fit for purpose and meets the needs of all parties involved
  • Seed certification
  • Review of the Plant Variety Rights Act
  • Arable Industry Promotion.

To contact a member of the Executive, Council or Industry Group Policy Advisor please click here.

Arable Industry Group News

CALL TO ACTION:- The Farmy Army Needs Your Help!!!! This weekend

Posted on 16/03/2023
Farmers in many regions across the North Island are feeling overwhelmed with the clean-up job and wider recovery in front of them

Registrations still open for rural connectivity scheme

Posted on 15/03/2023
If you have no or poor internet connectivity at your primary residence we encourage you to consider registering your location with the Remote User Scheme

Cyclone recovery information

Posted on 22/02/2023
Farmers across the country are asking how they can help those in affected areas, we know this will take months and even years of clean up and the need for support

Arable Industry Policy Work

Mid-Season Farm Confidence Report - January 2023

Posted on 7/02/2023
This report summarises the July 2022 Federated Farmers’ New-Season Farm Confidence survey results. The survey is undertaken twice a year (January and July); this is the 27th iteration.

New-Season Farm Confidence Report - July 2022

Posted on 28/09/2022
This report summarises the July 2022 Federated Farmers’ New-Season Farm Confidence survey results. The survey is undertaken twice a year (January and July); this is the 27th iteration.

Newsletters

Newsletter to Participants in Certified Seed Production

Posted on 23/11/2021
Welcome to the first newsletter from the New Zealand Seeds Authority (NZSA).

Arable Reports

Arable Reports from the 2020 AGM

Posted on 4/08/2020

Factsheets

Red Clover Moth

Posted on 15/09/2022
The red clover Case Bearer moth has recently been found in Auckland and Canterbury - for more information see this factsheet

Keep it Clean: Machinery hygiene guidelines and logbook to prevent the spread of pests and weeds

Posted on 15/09/2022
Machinery hygiene guidelines and logbook to prevent the spread of pests and weeds

Velvetleaf Farm Management

Posted on 15/09/2022
MPI guide to Velvetleaf management

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