Grains Research and Development Corporation and DPIRD start $10m research project to improve grain yield

A $10m research project into improving crop yields in the high rainfall zone region between Albany and Esperance was announced by the Minister for Food and Agriculture last week. Grains Research and Development Corporation will collaborate with Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to undergo the five-year project, trying to determine the best crop rotations to optimise long-term yields and returns for growers in the State’s south. GRDC senior regional manager west Peter Bird said the project builds on previous GRDC investment in WA’s high rainfall zone — an area that contributes 53 per cent of canola, 40 per cent of oats and 29 per cent of wheat in WA. “Although growers and industry acknowledge the desirability of crop diversity and lower input production systems, crop rotations that exclude a legume phase are common in the HRZ,” he said. “By taking a holistic approach to production systems through multi-year, fully phased farming system experiments, this project will evaluate the impact of crop type, rotational sequence, agronomic management and integrated disease management on long-term sustainability and profitability for HRZ growers. “Experienced researchers and consulting agronomists from both port zones will form a management committee, which will provide practical input to inform trial design and the most important crop rotations to explore.” DPIRD and GRDC will work closely with the South East Premium Wheat Growers Association and Stirlings to Coast Farmers grower groups throughout the multi-year project, examining a diverse combination of crop rotations and modelling to overcome disease, focusing on legumes, alongside wheat, barley, oats and canola. Speaking at the Albany Agricultural Show on Saturday, Minister for Food and Agriculture Jackie Jarvis said the project aimed to support the State’s “valuable” grains export sector. “Our long-term partnership with the GRDC continues to deliver benefits to WA’s grains industry,” she said. “By working together on solutions to local issues, we are helping WA grain growers to build better businesses and remain internationally competitive.”