Canola to recapture glory
From the March 2007 edition of Agriculture Today.
After copping criticism in recent years following a run of dry seasons and moderate prices, canola is set to recapture some of its former glory thanks to the release of 14 new varieties for 2007.
With the release of the new varieties, the once golden crop of the generally safe cropping region of the Southwest Slopes and Plains is expected to regain some of its popularity as an important and profitable rotation crop.
“There are very buoyant price signals for canola in the medium term,” NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) technical specialist, Don McCaffery, said.
“The documented advantages of canola to farm rotations and to overall farm profitability include improved average wheat yields of 20 per cent and opportunities to control troublesome weeds such as brome grass, and attack the seed bank of resistant weeds.
“Canola also reduces farm costs and helps with the diversification of farm income.”
For growers considering canola in 2007, the two most important issues will be to sow on time and to sow onto subsoil moisture.
“In 2006, crops germinating on the June 11 autumn-winter break really never had a chance,” Mr McCaffery said.
“Recommended sowing times for the different rainfall regions are published in the NSW DPI booklet, Winter Crop Variety Sowing Guide 2007.
“All growers should now have a copy.”
While subsoil moisture at sowing time is important in all areas, it is critical in lower rainfall, western and northern areas.
Dry sowing canola with no subsoil moisture is very risky unless there is an extremely positive seasonal outlook, according to Mr McCaffery.
“For every millimetre of stored subsoil moisture, expect to pick up an extra 15 kilograms per hectare of canola yield in seasons when growing season rainfall is less than 150mm,” he said.
“In better rainfall years, this productivity efficiency may drop to around 10kg/mm.
“Sowing onto 40mm of subsoil moisture should yield an extra 400 to 600kg a hectare, which could be the difference between a profit and a loss.
“Dry sowing with no subsoil moisture will require well above average in-crop rainfall. Average rainfall will not be enough.”
Mr McCaffery said canola research and development efforts remain strong and provide confidence that the canola industry has a bright and sustainable future.
“Some new agronomy projects in the heartland of canola – the region bounded by Cowra, Forbes, Lockhart and Albury – will examine grazing canola and its management, amelioration of subsoil constraints, variety specific agronomy and other topical agronomy issues such as row spacing, plant population and establishment into stubble.
“Best Bet canola project work will also continue this year.”
Contact Don McCaffery, Orange, (02) 6391 3648.
