Ashburton farmer breaks wheat-growing record
Ashburton farmers Eric and Maxine Watson have broken the world record for wheat growing.
The couple produced 16.791 tonnes per hectare, beating the previous record of 16.519 tonnes held for two years by a United Kingdom farmer.
The record was accepted by the Guinness Book of Records, and now means New Zealand farmers own the title for the highest yielding crop of both wheat and barley. Two years ago Timaru’s Warren Darling broke the world record for barley.
Watson has been farming on his near coastal property for the last 40 years, which had been a mixed sheep/cropping property until 24 years ago when he got seriously into cropping. ’’It’s all about attention to detail, and getting things done at the right time.’’
Bayer customer manager Neil Waddingham said a lot of the credit had to go to Watson who, like many arable farmers in Canterbury, was highly skilled. Bayer’s role was pivotal because the company supplied the new fungicide that ensured the quality of the autumn-planted, Uk-bred Oakley variety, which was harvested in February.
Watson said he had grown high yields before, but never broken the record. ’’When we decided to go for the record, we had to lodge the attempt with the Guinness Book of Records, and we needed an independent authority to audit it. We’re absolutely delighted to have set a new record – I feel a bit overcome in a way, it’s quite an achievement.’’
The closest rivals to New Zealand farmers were in regions like the UK rather than in the United States grain belt or in Australia.
Watson said the new record would shine a light on the work of the arable industry. The crop, which was harvested off an 11.89 ha area, would go into animal feed for dairy cows. On average, irrigated wheat yields in New Zealand are about 12 tonnes per hectare. The Oakley variety was supplied by Carrfields.