31 October 2001
Maize growers given encouragement to rotate crops for better productivity
Trials to help maize growers rotate crops for better soil quality and productivity have received a boost from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Sustainable Farming Fund.
The Fund, which provides help to community organisations to undertake projects to benefit the economic and environmental wellbeing of the rural sector and its communities, has given $144,000 to the Maize Arable Group of the Foundation for Arable Research.
The project will evaluate alternative crops such as soybeans, azuki beans, navy beans, chickpeas and lupin seeds and provide information to maize growers to help encourage them to attempt more crop rotation.
Knowledge about markets, how to grow and sell the crop and the crop's impact on the environment and maize systems will be collated so that growers can make informed decisions about what crops to grow.
Sustainable Farming Fund Manager, Kevin Steel says currently there are few crops grown in rotation to maize, particularly in the northern North Island.
He says that in some paddocks maize has been grown continuously for up to 30 years and there is evidence that soil quality and productivity has reduced.
The project is expected to be completed in June 2004.
ENDS
For more information contact Kevin Steel, MAF Sustainable Farming Fund, Tel. 04-460-878 or David Clark, Project Manager, Foundation for Arable Research, Tel. 06-862-8555 or visit the Sustainable Farming Fund website at http://www.maf.govt.nz/sff.
Contact for Enquiries
Fund Administrator
Sustainable Farming Fund
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
Tel: 0800 008 333
Fax: 04 894 0746
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