Farmers in the Esperance district of Western Australia take first-hand look at GM canola
More than 100 farmers in the Esperance district tomorrow will be checking the progress of the genetically modified (GM) canola trial being grown in the region.
The trial, located on the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Esperance Downs research station, is one of 20 GM canola trials sown across the State in 2009.
Esperance district manager Brendan Nicholas said a number of traditional cropping research trials would also be discussed as part as the annual field day jointly hosted by the department and the South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA).
The GM canola research trial at Esperance is being undertaken by Nufarm to examine the differences in weed management using herbicide technologies available to farmers. The department is also conducting a small scale commercial evaluation trial.
Mr Nicholas said the field day was an opportunity for farmers to see a practical demonstration of GM Roundup Ready® canola and hear from Monsanto and NuFarm about the use of the technology.
He said the program would also include field walks and presentations on sandplain subsoil constraints, barley disease and management, wheat time of sowing and wheat variety trials.
The GM trials will also be discussed at the Annual Salmon Gums Field Day hosted by the North Mallee Farm Improvement Group on 22 September.
