Print This PageGM canola in WA: It's all systems GROW
Cunderdin, Western Australia, Tuesday 16 June 2009. Dave Fulwood, GM canola grower in
Cunderdin is excited by the potential of his 50 hectares of Roundup Ready® Pacific Seeds hybrid
variety Hyola 502RR.
Mr Fulwood said, “It was sown under good moisture conditions on the 23rd April into barley stubble. Barley was one of the main weeds in the crop due to some shedding at harvest last year. We had some ryegrass and other weeds present – but the first spray application did a very effective job.”
Mr Fulwood was quick to count the benefits of the Roundup Ready canola. The Roundup Ready application provides a very effective weed kill regardless of soil moisture at the time of application.
Recent rain brought on an expected second weed germination – and Dave is sure the second spray application, which was applied on Friday 5 June, will knock them over. “It’s been a simple agronomy package to use. It really is just another tool in our cropping system, but has the guarantee of weed control.”
“The big benefit we hope to see is that the canola can be grown as a profitable break crop, and in the following year we can sow wheat early into clean canola stubble.”
All 20 sites in WA have been sown despite adverse weather conditions and critics. Mr Fulwood said the cost per hectare of growing Roundup Ready canola is very similar to Triazine Tolerant canola and it will be like any other decision made by growers to determine if it performs in the paddock and on paper for them.
“This trial will provide us with the figures and weed control results that will determine if we grow it again. We think we’ll find the Roundup Ready more profitable to grow than Triazine Tolerant varieties-because we will spend less on herbicides and hope to see improved yields from the hybrid varieties.”
“There’s been a lot of local interest and we’ll make harvest results available. This trial will be a good test for the GM marketers in WA and the supply chain. All Indicators are that the system is ready to handle GM, now and into the future. I am also looking forward to all growers in WA having the option to use this technology which has been available for many years to our main export competitors,” he said.
ENDS: Photograph available on request
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Contact: Honi McNaughton , Public Affairs Manager, Monsanto Australia Ltd 03 9522 7105 / 0418 324 894
®Roundup Ready is a Registered Trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Australia Limited licensee.
