The New South Wales Farmers' Association is encouraging farmers to shop around and buy next years cereal crop seed with maximum resistance to the fungal disease, rust, in light of an increasing number of growers spraying rust damaged crops this season.

Association Grains Committee Chair, Angus McLaren says that a higher priority needs to be placed on rust resistance by both growers and breeding companies.

"Rust is a social disease and the most effective strategy for the industry to manage this problem is prevention not treatment. Breeding companies need to offer higher rust resistant varieties so farmers can sow their crops with varieties they trust" Mr McLaren said.

Warmer spring temperatures and moist conditions are creating ideal conditions for rust this season, with outbreaks in Cowra, Temora, Deniliquin and north to Coolah, Gunnedah and Coonabarabran.

"Farmers should collectively address this issue to avoid devastating rust epidemics, which have been known to reduce yields by up to 80%".

The importance of rust resistance was reiterated at the Association's annual conference where support for a national strategy to remove rust susceptible wheat, barley and triticale varieties was stated along with backing for breeders to develop more resistant varieties.

"Rust resistance should not have to be compromised in favour of quality characteristics when developing new varieties" Mr McLaren said.

The Association also urges growers to be wary of agronomists (often employed by chemical resellers), who claim that rust is best controlled through chemical application. We do not want another situation such as the one experienced in 2003 where in excess of $40 million was spent by farmers in chemical treatments.

Rust resistance ratings can be found in the Winter Crop Variety Sowing Guide, with seed varieties with a resistance rating of six or higher recommended and with three or lower advised not to be kept.

"Growers are urged to source high resistant seed and remember a little planning now, could make a big difference in preventing another devastating rust outbreak next year", Mr McLaren concluded.