Australia
September 14, 2015

Western Australian growers have access to a one-stop-shop source of information to help maximise the profitability of canola, worth up to $1 billion annually to the State’s economy.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Canola GrowNote (www.grdc.com.au/GrowNotes) for the western region is now available online, for the first time bringing together all current WA information on this important break crop.

GRDC western regional panel chairman Peter Roberts will officially launch the resource at 12 noon on Friday, September 18, in the new Business and Technology Hub at the Mingenew Lions Midwest Expo.

Growers and agronomists are invited to test out the Canola GrowNote on tablets that will be available in the GRDC marquee (Site 79 on the oval) at the expo on September 17 and 18.

Mr Roberts said the western Canola GrowNote would allow growers and advisers to quickly and easily access answers to production questions, paving the way for valuable gains in crop production and profitability.

“The publication is comprehensive and includes many links to further information, allowing the reader to obtain deeper levels of information, depending on their needs,” he said.

“Available in a digital ‘flipbook’ format, it can be accessed via any device and is a living, dynamic document offering innovative features to improve navigation and cater for a variety of learning styles.

“Features that make it easy for users to find answers include frequently asked questions (FAQs) that focus on key production issues and link through to answers in the main body of the resource, and the use of graphics to illustrate management strategies, which also link through to new information.”

WA-based agronomist Greg Warren, of Farm & General helped to test the western Canola GrowNote.

“It includes up-to-date information on timely and pertinent production issues such as sclerotinia; crop-topping canola with glyphosate; harvesting options for weed seed collection; and variety choices,” Mr Warren said.

“It also includes the latest research results to help growers implement lower-cost production systems for hybrid canola varieties, with topics addressed including optimum timing for seeding and nitrogen application, and seeding rates.”

Canola GrowNote information is organised around each stage in the cropping cycle, making it a resource that can be dipped into throughout the year.

Topics range from planning and pre-seeding preparation all the way through to storage and marketing.

The information is easy for growers to navigate or pinpoint through keyword searches.

Importantly, regular GRDC updates of the content mean growers can be sure they are looking at the latest, most rigorous and independent research-backed guidance.

GRDC GrowNotes modules complement the specialist advisory services already offered by local agronomists and consultants by reinforcing industry best-practice advice across the production spectrum and providing hundreds of hypertext links for further reading on specific issues.

The launch of the western Canola GrowNote follows the release of a WA-specific Wheat GrowNote earlier this year, which has since been updated with features including enhanced readability and access to information; more than 100 extra links to relevant material; new information on crown rot, rhizoctonia and root lesion nematodes; FAQs and a graphic of key management strategies.

GRDC regional grower services manager Roger States will demonstrate updates to the Wheat GrowNote from 2 to 3pm on Thursday, September 17 in the Business and Technology Hub at the Mingenew Lions Expo.

Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: September 14, 2015