As fickle weather teases graingrowers along Western Australia’s south coast, they again face the prospect of a lottery-draw season.

However, with support from growers and the Federal Government, through The Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), Mohammad Amjad and Wal Anderson of the Department of Agriculture have evaluated variety selection strategies to help growers optimise yields and control risk under such unpredictable conditions.

"South-east growers face a broad selection of varieties and are keen to get more information on how newer varieties will perform under local conditions," Dr Amjad said.

"To generate the data they need to support varietal decisions, we ran six experimental scale and 16 commercial field experiments in 2001, following similar trials in 2000."

Growers from the South East Premium Wheat Growers’ Association (SEPWA) supported the GRDC project by supplying farm trial sites, machinery and labour.

A dry 2000 season meant high screenings compounded problems with a relatively low yield. Under these conditions, Camm delivered comparatively high yields and ranked in the top three for qualities such as protein, hectolitre weight and falling number.

The performance of Wyalkatchem in the dry was also encouraging. It delivered high yields in all south-east areas tested and combined high falling numbers with good resistance to leaf and stem rust.

Again, in 2001, Camm shone as the best early sowing option on mallee and sandplain soils, with reliable yields, high falling numbers and low fungal staining. Stem rust emerged as the variety’s biggest obstacle.

Two eastern states varieties, H45 and Mitre, proved the best late and mid-season sowing options, respectively. H45 produced competitive yields, with quality grain and good rust resistance, while Mitre also had good rust resistance and excellent yields.

The best strategy for growers, however, was to mix and match varieties of varying maturity, disease resistance, yield potential and grain quality.

"Early in 2002, we’re again seeing considerable climatic variability in the south-east and growers yet to finish their wheat programs should hedge their bets to avoid the associated risks by planting two or more varieties," Dr Amjad said.