GROWERS IMPRESSED BY EARLY PERFORMANCE OF SRA29A

Isis Productivity Services Officer, Anthony LaRocca said growers in the Isis region have a hunger for new varieties.

“Maintaining productivity is vital in a small district. That includes disease resistance, ratoonability and resilience/tolerance to a range of situations.

“Currently there is a heavy reliance on a few major varieties. For this reason, I suspect growers will continue to plant SRA29 A in the next couple of years until they can make their own judgements on how it may fit into their farm rotation.

“Each region and milling area have their own uniquely specific nuances, including climatic, soil type and farming systems.

“This is even true within districts where coastal farms and the practices can vary from the more inland areas. Varieties can respond differently in different areas of the district.

“That is why the availability of a good mixture of varieties is required in a region. And why the ongoing work, that Roy Parfitt and Clare Hogan are doing at SRA with the Southern Variety breeding program, is essential to the ongoing viability of the southern region.

“I feel SRA29 A will find a place based on what I witnessed in trials during the dry 2020 growing season, where it held up well against other varieties.

“Tolerance to dry weather is important in the Childers area. We have been fortunate with a good season this past year, however, nothing is surer than the next dry spell in this part of the world.

“Growers have all made comment about the variety’s exceptional germination and very good early growth. It has certainly impressed us all in the early growth stage. An early canopy closure is a positive which provides a good barrier to weed germination and growth, potentially getting to the ‘out of hand’ stage quickly.

“Hopefully it will also prove to be a good ratooner!”