“In particular, the Canterbury region is demonstrating that it not only has the best arable growing conditions in the world, but also the best and most knowledgeable arable farmers in the world.
“Bayer is focused on improving crop yields through developing innovative products and crop management programmes. Our aim is to make New Zealand the highest yield producing country in the world,” concludes Hanson.
Yara Fertilizers New Zealand Arable Specialist, Paul Johnston, was involved with the overall crop nutrition advice for solid fertilizer inputs of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and magnesium. Paul explains, “Regular herbage testing was also a very important factor as this guided the timely inputs of foliar trace elements.”
As for the future, Eric believes he can do even better.
“It is an exceptional yield, but I could always do better and that’s my aim. There were things I saw when I was out there in the combine harvester and I thought, yeah, I could do this a whole lot better,” adds Eric.
Key facts about the world record wheat crop
- Winter wheat, variety Oakley
- Planted mid-April 2016, harvested mid-February 2017
- Location – Paddock 15, Wakanui, Canterbury, New Zealand
- Yield – 16.791 tonnes/ha (6.69 ton/acre or 249.68 bushels/acre)
- Harvested from 11.89 ha (29.39 acres)
- The harvest will most likely go into animal feed for dairy cows.
For more information please visit, www.bayer.co.nz
About Eric and Maxine Watson
The Watsons have held a long time desire to excel as arable farmers on their 490ha farm located east of Ashburton..
They bought their farm in 1992 and with the help of one staff member grow a wide range of crops for seed production, including cereals, grasses, vegetables and pulses.
With a focus on detail, the couple are pioneers in the field of computerised variable rate irrigation ensuring crops get the exact quantity of moisture required without wasting water.
Healthy soil is another focus area with regular nitrogen testing aimed at minimising fertiliser use wherever possible.
The couple constantly try to improve farm performance and describe their business as a clear partnership that shares strategic planning and overall management.
They have won numerous farming awards, including Lincoln University’s ‘South Island Farmer of the Year’ Award and the ‘Supreme Award’ in the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Achieving the Guinness World Record is the pinnacle of their success.