Australia
June 8, 2006

The Crop Doctor, GRDC
The Crop Doctor is GRDC Managing Director, Peter Reading

Australian durum wheat growers are making money from the world's love of pasta as the demand for quality durum increases.

Australian durum is now regarded by Italian millers as some of the best in the world, and Australian growers' ability to supply a million or more tonnes of high quality durum every year could generate better returns at the farm gate.

According to Josh Gordon, durum industry development officer at NSW Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) Tamworth Agricultural Institute, durum growers are making agronomic progress for improved durum production to meet the growing demand from international markets for quality pasta wheat.

Mr Gordon has been appointed as durum industry development officer to assist the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Australian Durum Industry Association in reaching their objective of increased national production and crop consistency.

According to Mr Gordon, a speaker at the GRDC Research Update held in Adelaide in February, Australia is well positioned to capture a significant proportion of growth for durum, especially for export to Italy and North Africa.

Unlike some other grains, strong international durum prices and demand for high quality durum has already led to impressive growth over the past six years. Gross margins for durum were generally better than other wheats in 2005 and there is potential for significant production expansion in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

There are many agronomic and economic challenges for durum production and the industry at all levels of the value chain, but Mr Gordon believes these challenges are outweighed by the rewards.

Crown rot is a major problem for durum growers in Australia and rotation and paddock management are the only effective options at present. However, the good news is that more effective crown rot management is being achieved with techniques that reduce the amount of inoculum in the soil, which in turn reduces the likelihood of new plants coming in contact with any remaining inoculum.

Stripe rust resistance was also noted as an advantage for durum growers in 2005 and this ability to combat rust is a management benefit, providing financial savings for growers choosing durum.