Australia
July 14, 2016

Roundup Ready® canola will make up 23 per cent of this years canola crop[1], as Genetically Modified (GM) varieties play a strategic role in boosting the productivity and efficiency of farmland.  

Roundup Ready canola will comprise over 447,000 hectares of this year’s crop, up from more than 436,000 hectares last year. Over 1000 farmers will plant GM varieties around Australia this season, including more than 180 growers planting for the first time. 

Monsanto Australia Managing Director Tony May said that despite tough market conditions, the area planted to Roundup Ready canola remains strong as growers see broader benefits from the technology.

“Even with a price differential and slowdown in the global canola price, local growers continue to choose Roundup Ready hybrids to play an important part in their cropping mix,” Tony said.

 “When used strategically as part of crop rotation and integrated weed management plans, the Roundup Ready system is allowing growers to get more out of their land.  Better weed control means cleaner paddocks. A cleaner paddock boosts the productivity of subsequent crops,” Tony said.

Tony said that ongoing investment by Monsanto and seed companies in GM canola breeding and trait development will offer growers greater choice and added flexibility in how they use GM technologies in future. 

“We continue to invest in technologies that give growers choice in how they manage pests and battle herbicide resistance, without sacrificing yields.

“Recent research[2] shows that since 2008, the average yield gain from GM canola technology has been 11 per cent. This has resulted in an extra 226,000 tonnes of canola being produced which would have not been otherwise,” Tony said.

 “Technologies like GM play a crucial role in improving agricultural productivity in Australia and it is important that farmers are able to choose the tools and technologies they need to sustainably produce clean and safe food. 

“While GM technologies are not the only solution, they are part of the solution,” Tony said.  

Since they were introduced to Australia 20 years ago, GM crops have boosted farmer incomes by A$1.37 billion, reduced pesticide use by 22 million kg of active ingredient and lowered carbon emissions by 71.5 million kg.[3]

“With a strong investment pipeline and increasing certainty over the future of GM technology in key markets, Roundup Ready canola will continue to play an important role in the cropping mix in Australia,” Tony said. 

The share of Roundup Ready canola reached 11 per cent in NSW, 16 per cent in Victoria and 30 per cent in Western Australia.

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

Published: July 14, 2016