The GM canola is being grown as part of the large scale commercial trials in WA this season, allowed under an exemption to the GM Crops Free Areas Act 2003, which is now under review.

Mr Fulwood said he was pleased with the crop’s overall agronomic performance and its high oil content.

However, he conceded there was room to improve the 1.5 tonnes per hectare that it finally yielded.

“I thought it would yield higher but with the dry finish the hybrids run out of steam a bit,” he said.

“The key point for me is that it is not a yield trial.

“If the legislation is changed and we are allowed to grow Roundup Ready canola in the future, new varieties will come through the pipeline a lot faster and they will yield better.

“This variety came straight off the shelf and is not specifically designed for WA conditions.

“Overall I’m very happy with the weed control and the performance of the whole package, and especially sowing a very clean break crop.

“It was not just about the yield performance; it was about the agronomics and weed control and they have proved themselves as far as I’m concerned.”

Mr Fulwood said the 1.5t/ha yield was “nothing to be sneezed at” and 25 per cent higher than what he had budgeted for at the start of the year.

“The bulk was there and the weeds did not have a chance,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to using the technology in the future and having more varieties bred for WA conditions in future.”