Cunderdin, Western Australia
5 November 2009
Dave Fulwood, one of the 17 innovative GM canola growers participating in this season’s commercial trial, has harvested his 50 hectares of Roundup Ready® Pacific Seeds hybrid variety Hyola 502RR.
Mr Fulwood said, “It was sown under good moisture conditions back on April 23rd into barley stubble. Barley was one of the main weeds, as well as some ryegrass, but the first spray application of Roundup was very effective. The second spray application then did what it was meant to do and knocked the weeds down effectively,” said Mr Fulwood.
“It’s been a simple and effective agronomy package to use. It’s really just another tool in our cropping system.”
Mr Fulwood said the cost per hectare of growing Roundup Ready canola is very similar to Triazine tolerant canola and it will be assessed like any other farming enterprise to determine if it performs in the paddock as well as on paper.
“This commercial trial will provide us with the figures and weed control results we need to determine if we grow it again. From the way the crop performed during the season, I think Western Australian growers will find Roundup Ready canola more profitable than Triazine tolerant varieties, simply because we will spend less on herbicides and see improved yields from the hybrid varieties.” Mr Fulwood is expecting his Roundup Ready canola crop to yield higher than the Triazine variety.
While one trial site was abandoned due to poor early season rainfall, the other sites are nearing harvest. The DAFWA site at Geraldton was delivered to CBH Metro Grains Centre on Monday 28 October.
Peter O’Keeffe, Monsanto Country Lead said, “Growers are having a positive experience growing Roundup Ready canola. The technology works and now WA growers are about to see the benefits of better weed control and a higher yield potential by growing Roundup Ready canola. It’s what the growers want and need to stay competitive in world markets.”
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