South Perth, Western Australia, USA
October 7, 2010
Farmers at the Katanning Field Day this month will have the opportunity to hear more about new lupin varieties being developed by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
The field day will be held on Thursday, 14 October at the Department’s Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute.
Department development officer Stephen Tunbridge said farmers would be able to inspect and hear about some of the exciting crop research underway at the research station.
“Particularly interesting will be information on new lupin varieties we are working on that will better suit the Great Southern. We expect the varieties to become available in the next few years,” Mr Tunbridge said.
“The advanced lines will have better tolerance to black pod syndrome, which is a common problem in the region.
“Lupins are an ideal sheep feed, and in many cases it might be more profitable to grow them on farm rather than importing them from other areas. These advanced lines being developed will help make lupins a better fit in the Great Southern as a break crop in the farming system.”
The Katanning field day will also examine new wheat varieties, and agronomic options for managing new malting barley varieties.
Other program highlights include sowing advice on new barley varieties, integrated pest management and factors affecting net blotch inoculum levels on stubble.
“We will be also outlining progress with a crop sequence trial that has been underway in the Great Southern for the past three years,” Mr Tunbridge said.
“The department is doing a lot of interesting work in developing new crop varieties, and the Katanning field day this month is a great opportunity for local farmers to talk with our researchers for advice, particularly with the new varieties becoming available in wheat, barley, and lupins,” he said.
The field day will run from 8.30am to 12.30, followed by lunch.
Interested farmers should contact the department on 98213333 or receptionkat@agric.wa.gov.au
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