It said that the following are areas where some savings may be able to be made, without impacting on yield and returns:

Cultivation

Cultivation costs can be minimised by not overworking soil. Eight years of research at the FAR research site in the Waikato has found no significant difference in yields between crops sown following ploughing and a single pass of a roto�crumbler, strip�till, or no�till establishment; but it has identified significant differences in the establishment costs between the three techniques. Consider one's specific situation carefully before deciding on crop establishment techniques.

Fertiliser

Research results from many seasons have shown no significant response to starter fertilizer applications of phosphorous (P). Consider using nitrogen (N) only at planting as an option for reducing costs.

Research has also shown no yield differences between maize crops where all of the N fertiliser was applied at planting and those where applications were split between planting and a side-dressing. Consider applying all N up front at planting as an option to reduce fertiliser and application costs.

Insecticides at planting

Maize crops sown into paddocks planted in permanent pasture, annual ryegrass or oats over winter will require insecticide treated seed. However, when planting into maize stubble or other crop residue, insecticide treated seed may not be necessary. Consider using untreated seed and monitoring for cutworm, and then use a synthetic pyrethroid spray, if required.