Print This PageGM canola — the good oil
(Thursday 11 December, 2008) — Andrew Weidemann, a Roundup Ready® canola grower from Rapanyup in Victoria’s Western Districts was the first GM canola grower to deliver into a silo at Lubeck recently.
Delivering 90 tonne from 85 hectares of the Roundup Ready canola was no mean feat considering the dry season. “At the start of the season, the plants behaved like any other varieties, but then after the first spray they really came on. They were tall and robust and vigorous. If not for the dry end to the season, we’re sure they would have yielded at least 1.5 tonne to the hectare.”
While a little down on yield expectations, it’s the oil content that has given Andrew the encouragement to grow more GM canola next season.
“This crop had good oil content. The oil was 38.7 percent to 41.9 percent. In comparison the TT only yielded 35 percent oil content. All things considered, this is a very good oil outcome.”
Next season is fast approaching and Andrew will start making plans soon. “I will look at the choice of varieties, but I will be happy to grow all GM canola next year.”
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Monsanto Australia Ltd
Honi McNaughton
Public Affairs Manager
(03) 9522 7105 / 0418 324 894
