New management packages are needed to help stabilise Western Australia's canola production, which has wavered from crops of 900,000 hectare to crops of only 355,000 ha during the past four years.

Canola is a high-value crop with demonstrated benefits to the rotation, but has been limited by dry conditions and blackleg disease.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has earmarked A$300,000 over two years to support the compilation of new management packages to help growers negotiate traditional production constraints.

WA’s canola production zone has the potential to expand with the release of the new Canola Breeders Western Australia (CBWA) variety, ‘Trilogy’, which is adapted to drought-stressed environments. The GRDC supports CBWA via the Western Australia-based Export Grains Centre, which is a shareholder in CBWA.

Contact: Brondwen MacLean, Tel 02 6272 5525