The New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association hosted its annual Grain and Pulses Forum at the Riccarton Park Function Centre with a wide range of speakers that covered the arable story from paddock to plate.

The event, held on June 21, was attended by 80 delegates from across the sector.

'It was a good turnout," Luisetti Seeds managing director and Grains and Pulses Business Group chairperson Edward Luisetti.

Luisetti said he thought the speakers at this year's forum were the best they have had.

"We covered the full life cycle of some of our arable products, from breeding a new variety through to the introduction of new consumer products."

Luisetti said the speakers gave a view of the industry as a whole.

"It highlighted the importance of cereal plant breeding and the benefits and opportunities it creates for arable farmers and New Zealand."

Economist Cameron Bagrie presented a global agriculture economy update and the impacts of a recession, which he termed more of a re-set, on the arable sector.

Doug Michael from Gladfield Malt spoke about the rise of the craft brewing industry and the opportunities for locally sourced barley malt, and Daniel Williams took attendees through his journey of creating Vegifare chocolate oat milk.

Process Vegetable chairperson David Hadfield gave a pulses sector update, and Steve Shorter from PGG Wrightson Seeds concluded the forum with a presentation on plant breeding genetics.

Delegates were treated to a barbeque lunch at the end of the event, allowing them to connect with other attendees in the industry.

"It's a very good networking opportunity; that's a big part of it," Luisetti said.

The next big event on the arable calendar is the Arable Awards, held on August 10 at Wigram Air Force Museum in Christchurch.

The awards will acknowledge and celebrate innovators and leaders who drive progress in the sector, which has seen significant growth in recent years.

by Claire Inkson