Colin Beetles on the Job at QCL:
...Monsanto Australia corporate affairs lead Adam Blight said his group recorded a 22 per cent increase in sales in 2013 nationally, including 38pc in WA where the landmark trial has been unfolding since the crop was first released commercially in 2010.
Mr Blight said RR canola market share should reach 15pc nationally this year, depending on the overall area planted to canola, with a higher percentage expected again in WA.
“Pacific Seeds, for example, have sold out of the top performing varieties signalling strong demand,” he said.
“We are expecting the Triazine Tolerant/RR hybrid and TruFlex varieties due to be commercialised in 2015 and 2016 respectively to boost adoption further.
“Importantly, growers aren’t just turning to RR canola for superior weed control - they are starting to see real yield benefits as the latest National Variety Trial (NVT) data reveals.”
Mr Blight said a review of the NVT yield data from 2013 based on averaging the top five varieties per system revealed that nationally RR canola varieties; out yielded TT varieties by 7.58pc; out yielded Clearfield varieties by 6.67pc; had an average 1.08pc higher oil content compared to TT varieties; and had an average 1.79pc higher oil content compared to Clearfield varieties.
“This has been driven by varietal development since the moratoria were lifted,” he said.
“The moratoria prevented varietal development which essentially cost growers the yield increases that we are seeing now.”
RR canola crop was approved for commercial release in 2010 in WA - following Victoria and NSW - by then Agriculture Minister Terry Redman.
At the time, Mr Redman said access to modern technology was important for WA growers to improve profitability and maintain international competitiveness.
But WA Greens MLC Lynn McLaren said farmers who “experiment” with GM crops would see no benefit from its commercial release because higher yields “have not been realized”....
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