With some of the best crops in years now ready for harvest, mustard has emerged as a hot prospect for farmers in north-west NSW.

NSW Department of Primary Industries trials of new mustard varieties bred to fit into zero-till systems have shown that mustard can yield 50 per cent more than canola during drought with three per cent higher oil content.

“Mustard has many advantages over canola in western areas – it can be sown later as it is more heat tolerant and it can hang onto its seeds better than canola,” NSW DPI research agronomist John Holland said.

“Latest results from our trials near Burren Junction clearly demonstrated the advantages of mustard over canola when wind and hail reduced canola yields to 1.1 tonnes per hectare while the mustard yielded two tonnes per hectare,” he said.

“Not only does it have genes which enable it to perform well in drought conditions, it also works well in zero-till systems which retain stubble to store soil moisture but which can also harbour fungal diseases.

“Mustard adds another crop to the rotation and that’s important in preventing the build-up of diseases which affect cereal crops.”

With mustard already a success in the southern areas, the new varieties look certain to expand mustard production into the State’s northern cropping zone, according to Mr Holland.

“Growers in the north are currently supplying condiment mustard for the local market but the potential for expansion with the introduction of canola-quality mustard oil is really exciting,” he said.

“We believe there are significant export opportunities for both types of mustard oil.”

Condiment mustard has the familiar spicy flavour and canola-quality mustard has the spiciness bred out.

Farmers Sarah and Duncan Ball harvested their second commercial mustard crop at “Gorian” near Burren Junction this November.

Planted in late May during the worst drought on record, it’s come through with flying colours, despite a subsequent flood in June and hail in October.

“It’s a pretty amazing crop. The establishment and seedling vigour of mustard certainly contributed but getting the crop in on the right date really maximised our yield,” Ms Ball said.

“Zero-till allowed us to sow this crop on a certain date, with the right amount of moisture at a depth of 15 centimetres.

“We certainly wouldn’t have been able to sow at all without zero-till and now the proof’s in the pudding with the crop yielding two tonnes per hectare,” she said.

“After seeing what mustard can do this year it’s going to be an important crop rotation for us in future. With huge demand from local and export markets we’re interested in growing the new varieties.”

Contact John Holland, 6763 1155 or James Fleming, 6828 1288 for more information on NSW DPI’s mustard breeding program and zero-till systems.

- BERNADETTE YORK

This story appears in Agriculture Today.