Western Australia
December 7, 2007
A number of factors, including the
recently developed market for canola hay, canola prices and the
release of ‘Dune’, Australia’s first canola quality Brassica
juncea, make canola, or ‘juncea canola’, a viable option for
Western Australian growers, even in low rainfall areas.
Western Australian production this season is estimated to be
365,000 tonnes, according to the Australian Oilseeds Federation.
At current canola prices of more than $500 a tonne and canola
hay at $250 a tonne, the return, even on small crops, should
cover production costs and generate worthwhile returns.
Dr Steve Marcroft, coordinator of the Better Oilseeds project,
resourced by GRDC and the
Australian Oilseeds Federation, said development of the canola
hay market was increasing farmer confidence in the crop, with
useful profits possible from hay where crops had struggled to
fill grain.
Historically, canola has a mixed history in WA, with many
growers unwilling to risk the outlay required to put in a crop
and gamble on the prospect of timely rain.
This is despite the benefits of canola for diversifying risk and
as a good break crop against weeds and disease.
Wheat yield after canola is generally 20 per cent higher than
wheat following wheat, due mainly to breaking the cereal root
disease cycle. Reduced root disease allows cereals to better use
available moisture in dry conditions.
Canola also allows the rotation of herbicide groups, which
lowers the risk of developing herbicide resistance. Relatively
low cost, but highly effective grass-selective herbicides can be
used for canola and this helps break the cereal root disease
cycle and reduces the need for weed control in the following
wheat crop.
Joint research by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries
and Viterra (previously the Saskatchewan Grain Pool) in Canada,
partly funded by the GRDC, resulted in the release this year of
Australia’s first canola quality Brassica juncea named ‘Dune’.
Pacific Seeds has the seed production and marketing rights for
Dune and other juncea canola cultivars coming through the
program.
Wayne Burton, oilseed breeder at the Victorian DPI, reports that
Dune has faster ground covering ability and better heat, drought
and shatter tolerance in low rainfall areas than traditional
cultivars of canola, Brassica napus. The aim is to provide
growers in lower rainfall areas (275-350mm) with a reliable and
profitable break crop.
Juncea canola will save growers about $20-25/ha as low
shattering allows it to be direct harvested.
Multi-site 2004 trials showed that Dune yields equal or better
those of traditional conventional canola cultivars.
Future research will focus on improving the quality of the meal,
by further lowering the glucosinolate content, increasing oil
content and improving yield.
More than 90 per cent of Australian canola is planted to
herbicide tolerant varieties and Mr Burton said the development
of herbicide tolerant juncea cultivars are a high priority in
the breeding program, especially for WA.
The first Clearfield tolerant variety, OasisCL, is currently in
seed production and should be available commercially to WA
growers in 2009.
Good progress has also been made with triazine tolerant
cultivars, with a first release anticipated for 2010, depending
on trial results in the next couple of years.
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Growers reap the benefits through versatile canola |
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December 5, 2007
Australian grain
growers recognise the versatility of canola as a
livestock feed, according to the results of a
national survey of 142 canola growers or advisors
across the nation.
The survey also revealed that more than 45 percent
of the participants would consider growing Roundup
Ready or Liberty Link canola if it was available. A
further 37 percent said they might consider growing
it, while 17 percent said they would not consider
growing any GM herbicide-resistant canola variety.
The Grains Research and Development Corporation
(GRDC) and the Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF)
conducted the industry research through the Better
Canola project, and results show the factors which
influence canola growers’ decisions.
Dr Steve Marcroft, consultant at Marcroft Grains
Pathology and leader of the Better Canola project,
says there is growing demand for quality livestock
feed and canola provides a good dietary option. This
year’s dry season has led to many canola crops being
cut for hay, giving growers a much needed
alternative income.
Almost two thirds of the survey participants
indicated that now they have the opportunity, they
will be inclined to grow canola for hay and silage
if the season has a poor finish and almost three
quarters will consider having livestock graze their
canola if a grain and graze variety becomes
available.
Factors having the greatest impact on the decision
to grow canola included reducing the risk of cereal
diseases, farming system weed control, rotating
herbicide groups, profitability of subsequent crops
and diversification of farming operations.
Almost three quarters of participants use triggers
to determine if they will plant canola, the most
common of which are the timing of the opening break,
commodity prices above a certain amount and presence
of sub-soil moisture.
The most important factor that would make
respondents consider growing more canola is a more
consistent and better price (62.0%) and better
varieties (21.5%). Overall, the weather and
commodity prices are the most important factors
influencing canola growers and advisors.
Addressing the need to retain canola in Australian
cropping rotations is an investment priority for
growers and the Australian Government through the
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
and the Australian Oilseeds Federation. |
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