Government agencies were given a first-hand look at what it takes to grow arable crops and prepare them for export during a Mid Canterbury farm tour organised by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR).
Representatives from the Ministry for Primary Industries, Environment Canterbury and Fire and Emergency NZ visited the Dromore farm of Brian and Rachel Leadley, as well as touring Luisetti Seeds in Ashburton which has the largest ryegrass seed dressing plant in the southern hemisphere.
FAR chief executive Alison Stewart said the organisation was being proactive in lifting the profile of the arable industry to the general public, government agencies, and other agricultural sectors that didn’t realise the complexities of an arable system.
Brian Leadley told the group that Bradley Fields is an owner-operator, family farming business.
The operation had developed from irrigated mixed cropping and breeding ewes to intensive cropping and store lamb finishing.
Over time there had been major changes in the cropping rotations with increased focus on small and specialty seed production.
About a third of the cropping rotation was cereals, mostly milling wheat and some barley, and a third in ryegrass, made up of hybrids and Italian grass rather than perennials.
The remaining third was planted in processed peas and sweetcorn for the neighbouring Talley’s plant, as well as seed crops including clover, mustard, and evening primrose.
Record keeping was crucial, to understand paddock history and crop isolation issues.
About 3000 to 5000 lambs are bought in after harvest for finishing, with another 1500 lambs grazed for other farmers. While lambs are an important part of the operation, cropping takes priority in decision making, Leadley said.
The group also visited Luisetti Seeds, which installed a high-tech German-made seed dressing plant, the first of its kind in New Zealand, ready for the 2021 harvest.
The company, which was started by Vince Luisetti in Rangiora in 1932, has grown to be an internationally significant supplier of grass seed, pulses, and cereals to 28 countries.

• By Pat Deavoll