Crop yield in the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ) could double in the next decade, with an additional four million hectares potentially suitable for cropping.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation is investing $1.2 million over three years in the Western and Southern regions to realise the enormous possibilities that exist to improve crop yield and quality in the HRZ.

Plant breeders will be advised of the characteristics required for high yielding, disease resistant, milling quality wheat and malting barley varieties and quality pulses and oilseeds suitable for growth in the HRZ.

Region specific agronomic and genotype packages will improve yield potential, enhance the reliability of cropping and optimise the resource use in existing HRZ cropping areas and newly expanding production areas.