Grain growers are faced with dozens of varieties to choose from each year, and the New South Wales Farmers' Association is calling for an independent body to be established to assess the claims being made about new varieties before they come onto the market.

Chair of the Association's Grains Committee, Angus Macneil, says that with the commercialisation of breeding programs, companies are being driven by the dollar rather than the needs of growers.

"Glossy brochures extolling the virtues of new varieties are all very well, but growers want to be sure the information they're getting is independently checked.

"A lot of new varieties are coming out of companies funded either directly or indirectly by grower levies through the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

"This makes it even more important that growers can have some confidence in the way varieties will perform in the paddock, and their ability to withstand diseases," Mr Macneil said.

The Association's Executive Council has unanimously supported the need for independent assessment. The policy will now be taken to a meeting with the Grains Council of Australia and the GRDC later this month.

"Breeding programs and companies who develop new varieties are being encouraged to work with the Association and GRDC on this issue, particularly where they are funded by grower levies.

"There's still a long way to go, but once the system is set up and working properly, the Association will strongly urge growers to use the information being provided.

“It may actually mean that companies and programs that choose not to come on board may find it harder to get their varieties into the paddock," Mr Macneil concluded.