Western Australia
July 31, 2009

The Western Australia Department of Agriculture and Food and Nufarm have discontinued small plot research and development canola trials on a farmer’s property at Wongan Hills due to inadequate early season rainfall.

The abandoned trials include a GM Roundup Ready® research trial looking at weed management, and trials of Clearfield and Triazine Tolerant canola.

Nufarm researcher Mike Jackson said the trials were sown dry in mid-May and unfortunately received insufficient rain in late May and early June for the crops and weeds to germinate evenly.

“It is too late in the season to re-sow the trials. Nufarm has made the decision that uniform plant stands were not going to eventuate and the trials would not produce adequate results and should be terminated,” he said.

“The farmer will spray the site, which will kill all plants that have managed to germinate.”

Department Agricultural Systems Research manager David Bowran said rainfall in the northern and central agriculture regions had been patchy and below average in some areas during May and June.

“Patchy canola germination was very common for many dry sown canola crops in the region,” Dr Bowran said.

“In terms of the GM canola trial, the two hectare trial site was always going to be sprayed out prior to harvest as it was only looking at weed management, not at grain segregation,” he said.

“As per the monitoring and auditing protocols in place, a department authorised officer will visit the site regularly to ensure no emergence of canola plants and advise the farmer if further control work is required.

“The termination of the trial will not affect the overall assessment on whether GM canola can be grown, transported, handled and exported as a separate grain.”

Website: http://www.agric.wa.gov.au

Published: July 31, 2009