Grazed pastures based on ryegrass species provide most of the feed for dairy cattle in New Zealand. There are many cultivars of perennial (Lolium perenne), annual and Italian (L. multiflorum), and hybrid (L. boucheanum) ryegrasses available for dairy farmers to use in pasture renewal. This study describes an index which ranks ryegrass cultivars relative to a genetic base according to the estimated economic value (EV) of seasonal dry matter (DM) traits. A farm system model was used to derive EVs ($ ha−1 calculated as change in operating profit divided by unit change of the trait) for additional DM produced in different seasons of the year in four regions. The EV of early spring DM was consistently high across all regions, whereas EV for late spring DM was moderate to low. Genotype × environment analysis revealed significant reranking of DM yield among ryegrass cultivars across regions. Hence, separate performance values (PVs) were calculated for two mega‐environments and then combined with the corresponding season and region EV to calculate the overall EV for twenty‐three perennial ryegrass and fifteen short‐term ryegrass cultivars. The difference in operating profit between the highest ranked and lowest ranked perennial ryegrass cultivar ranged from $556 ha−1 to $863 ha−1 year−1 depending on region. For short‐term ryegrasses used for winter feed, the corresponding range was $394 to $478 ha−1 year−1. Using PV for DM yield, it was estimated that plant improvement in perennial ryegrass has added $12–$18 ha−1 year−1 (depending on region) operating profit on dairy farms since the mid‐1960s.

The confirmation that Epichloë endophytes are important for pest resistance in New Zealand pastures led to the development of a range of novel endophyte strain × host plant combinations that enhance the persistence of the grass, while mitigating adverse effects on grazing animals. Successfully delivering these endophytes to the pastoral industry has required the development of a range of scientific and commercial capabilities. In March 2012, the New Zealand proprietary seed industry established the Endophyte Technical Committee. This is a cooperative forum to ensure that endophyte strains in commerce or under development are tested uniformly, and to publish industry-agreed descriptions of the animal safety and insect control of commercial endophyte strains each year.

A field trial was conducted to evaluate control options of stripe rust in a 1997/98 crop of spring sown Otane wheat near Methven. Three fungicides were evaluated for disease control, at half and label recommended application rates and at three timings. Disease levels were assessed at five dates. Plots were harvested and yield components recorded. In this trial where stripe rust appeared relatively early, the first spray had the greatest effect on disease severity. All three fungicides reduced disease severity compared to the untreated plots but azoxystrobin reduced disease more than epoxiconazole or tebuconazole. A full application of any of the three fungicides at application time 1 gave similar disease control to two half rate applications (Time 1 plus Time 2 or Time 3). Yield was significantly increased by both azoxystrobin and epoxiconazole at application Time 1.

Two field trials were conducted in autumnsown wheat cv Domino which is highly susceptible to speckled leaf blotch in Central and South Canterbury Eighteen fungicide treatments were applied at two growth stages (tillering and ear emergence) at the manufacturers recommended rates Severity of speckled leaf blotch and other diseases was assessed on several occasions Speckled leaf blotch was severe in the South Canterbury trial but only low levels of the disease were recorded in the central Canterbury trial Most fungicides reduced disease severity and increased yield especially in the South Canterbury trial where disease pressure was highest and yield increases greater than 30 were recorded The second fungicide application appeared to provide most of the increase in yield The increases in thousand grain weights following fungicide applications contributed approximately onethird of the total yield increases in the South Canterbury trial and half in the Central Canterbury trial