Pea production in Canterbury 1986

Abstract

Field Peas have been a part of arable farming in New Zealand for many years; a part that has become much more important in the last two years. The increase in area of 30 - 40% per year in each of those years is the result of existing farmers shortening rotations and new growers coming into the industry. A greater need for information on growing the crop, disease problems and market requirements has resulted. Aware of this growth and of the need to ensure this rapid expansion should be consolidated, especially in the light of equally rapid expansion in other exporting countries, the Agriculture Section of Federated Farmers and the Agriculture Merchants Association met to decide how best this could be done. The two groups formed a Pulse Liasion Committee to cover all pulse crops with the objective of identifying and co-ordinating research requirements, advising growers of world trends and promoting New Zealand's pulse crops. A field day held on West Brothers property, Wakanui, Mid Canterbury was the first activity mounted and at tended by over 400 farmers . The Agriculture Section of Federated Farmers also formed a Pulse Growers' Committee to represent pulse crop growers. A principal objective of this group will include the scrutinising of traders marketing performance and the furthering of growers interests.