Canola focused field day

Broadacre farmers and agronomists will have a ringside seat as the latest in canola varieties, trial results, disease management tactics and farming systems insights are unveiled at a canola focused field day on September 22.

Expected to attract more than 120 international and Australian canola researchers and industry experts, alongside local growers, a highlight will be the exclusive demonstration of variety trials from nine leading canola companies.

Hosted by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the event will be held at the NSW DPI Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute on Friday, September 22, 2023, from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

NSW DPI Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute director, Deb Slinger, said canola was one of the most important NSW crops, and added favourable seasonal conditions in southern regions of the state had bolstered production this year.

“In NSW our production of canola is worth more than $800 million – a significant contributor to our economy,” Ms Slinger said.

“Hosting a field day with GRDC is a valuable way to showcase current and past canola research which has helped position the Australian industry where it is today and continues to drive improvements for our sector.”

GRDC national variety trials manager of operations Ben O’Connor said the field day is an excellent opportunity for growers to directly engage with canola industry experts and to hear about the latest research and development.

“Between 2019 and 2022 more than $30 million was invested in canola research projects focused on improving yield and understanding yield drivers, and this has really help drive improvements on-farm,” Mr O’Connor said.

“GRDC has also supported the industry by investing in an extensive range of canola projects to improve knowledge and management of weeds and pests, diseases, soils, farming systems, herbicide use and tolerance, as well as improvements in nutrient and water use efficiency.

“So it is really valuable to see how these gains are delivering and we are looking forward to the field day to discuss our canola trials with growers, advisers, and breeders coming from around Australia and overseas”.

As part of the field day, NSW DPI will also launch the ‘Canola in Australia: 21st Century Progress’ publication, which has been updated from the 1999 edition to demonstrate the development of the canola industry in Australia in the past 24 years.

Field day highlights:

Insight into the GRDC Canola National Variety Trial.

A deep dive into the NSW DPI Research Experiments focusing on Canola, Pathology, and Farming Systems.

Official launch of the ‘Canola in Australia: 21st Century Progress Book’. All attendees will receive a complimentary copy.

Location Details:

Participants are requested to park at the Joyes Hall carpark on Pine Gully Road, Wagga Wagga. Mini buses will be available every 30 minutes from 8:30am to transport attendees to the event location.

Ticket Information:

Tickets are priced at $25 per person. To RSVP and purchase your ticket, visit www.ircsydney2023.com by Wednesday, September 13.

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