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Very high yield, good resistance to stripe rust (including the new Jackie virulent pathotype), good leaf and stem rust resistance, wide adaptability across much of the southern and northern grain belt, and high quality grain are features of the newly released triticale varieties Jaywick* and Hawkeye*.

Both varieties compliment each other and provide a wide sowing window.

Jaywick is the faster of the two in maturity (early to mid season maturity) and is suitable for main season sowing. It is particularly suited to environments that experience sharp finishes to the growing season and in situations where later sowing (example because of a late seasonal break) occurs.

Hawkeye is a widely adapted mid season maturing variety and best suits mid and main season sowing. Its high yield over a range of environments, particularly in the medium to high rainfall zones, sees it as an alternative to Tahara but with a significant yield advantage.

Jaywick and Hawkeye were developed by Australian Grain Technologies (AGT), a company involving the South Australian Research and Development Institute, The University of Sydney, Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), GrainCorp, and The University of Adelaide. The triticale program is support by the GRDC. Head of the triticale breeding program is Jason Reinheimer.

From several years of yield trialling, Jaywick has shown similar to slightly better yields compared to the early maturing variety Speedee when grown in environments that commonly experience yields below 2.0 t/ha. Jaywick will significantly out-yield Speedee and other triticale varieties in more favourable seasons. Its high relative yield is particularly evident in production regions on the Eyre Peninsula of SA, Mallee of SA and Vic and south west NSW. Limited trialling in central and northern NSW also suggests that Jaywick has competitive yields combined with an outstanding disease resistance package.

Hawkeye has, on average, found a significant yield advantage in areas that regularly experience yields of 2.0 t/ha or better, particularly in the north east of Vic, central and south west slopes of NSW and the Mid North and York Peninsula of SA.

Preliminary data suggests that both varieties are resistant (8 rating) against the new Jackie stripe rust virulent pathotype as well as other current strains. Recent new stripe rust strains have rendered several commercial varieties more stripe rust susceptible. Jaywick and Hawkeye rate resistant against leaf rust and moderately resistant – resistant (7) against stem rust. Both have excellent CCN resistance.

Averaged over all trials both varieties have excellent physical grain attributes. Hectolitre grain weights were better than other varieties and grain screenings lower. Hawkeye was overall slightly above Jaywick in grain weight and lower in screenings.

Jaywick and Hawkeye will be commercially available for 2008 sowing in SA, Vic and NSW through AGT Seeds (02 6881 6210).

Both varieties are protected by Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) and all production, except seed saved for planting, is liable to End Point Royalty (EPR) which funds future triticale breeding. Jaywick and Hawkeye growers will be subject to a Growers License agreement that acknowledges an EPR of $2.50 per tonne, plus GST, on all production other than that retained for sowing.

Yield comparable or higher than other cereals in many paddock situations, excellent disease resistance, especially rusts and CCN, sowing time flexibility, strong seedling vigour, high quality grain, and good agronomic type, all features of these new varieties, adds to the strength and growth potential of the triticale industry.

Both varieties are named after historical military operations. Jaywick was one of the most daring and celebrated World War II operations where in September 1943 11 Australian and British service personnel, against great odds, sank seven Japanese ships in Singapore harbour. Hawkeye was code for a WW II project that focused on the development of an airborne aerial warning system.

* Jaywick and Hawkeye are protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994

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