Queensland wheat growers have an opportunity to fine-tune variety selection for the impending winter plant with the release of the 2017 National Variety Trials (NVT) Queensland Wheat Variety Guide.

Funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), the annual Guide is a collation of data from the NVT, which benchmark the performance of regionally important varieties to develop individual disease and agronomic ratings, varietal information and recommendations on planting windows and herbicide sensitivity.

In a move that will broaden the options for growers there were five new varieties suitable for Queensland conditions released last year and currently available they are: Coolah, DS Faraday, LongReach Rellant , Sunmax and a durum variety DBA Aurora.

GRDC Northern Region panel member Jack Williamson (pictured) said growers would be looking to maximise production opportunities this winter with these new varieties on offer, especially in the early sowing window, following last year’s variable yields and challenging seasonal conditions.

The Goondiwindi-based grower and agronomist said productivity and therefore profitability in the grains industry depended on the continued development and adoption of new technologies, including embracing new varieties with superior yield, quality traits and disease resistance characteristics.

“Varietal selection has a significant impact on crop management from sowing time to disease management, fertiliser requirements and herbicide options so it is critical growers match variety to their environmental conditions and the market they are chasing,” Mr Williamson said.

“The NVT Queensland Wheat Variety Guide gives growers the information they need to make informed choices and at the end of the day, this can mean the difference between a profitable or unprofitable crop.”

The 2017 Queensland Wheat Variety Guide is available in hard copy or online at https://grdc.com.au/NVT-QLD-WheatVarietyGuide.

For complete information on the released varieties in the Queensland NVT trials, visit the NVT website at www.nvtonline.com.au.

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

Published: March 10, 2017