A COMBINATION of improving seasonal conditions and more growers willing to experiment with genetically modified (GM) varieties has meant the amount of GM canola being produced in Western Australia in its first year of commercial plantings has doubled from early estimates.
Monsanto, the developer of the Roundup Ready technology used in the canola, now believes there will be over 70,000 hectares of GM canola grown in WA, the nation’s largest canola producing state.
It is more than double the figure estimated just last month.
Monsanto’s Western Australia business manager Tom Breen was quick to claim the upwardly revised figure as proof WA was embracing the technology.
“We now have just over 300 growers sowing GM canola for the first time this season, with over 700 farmers and agronomists completing the Roundup Ready canola accreditation,” Mr Breen said.
All planting declarations were due in on Tuesday and Monsanto expects to confirm the total area sown by the end of the week, with the information provided to the WA Government.
Mr Breen said WA growers were equally keen to utilise the technology as those on the east coast, who have been able to grow GM crops for two years.
“It’s our understanding that WA growers see Roundup Ready canola as an excellent fit to make their cropping systems more sustainable, because of the reliable weed control and assistance it gives them in managing resistance to other herbicide groups.”
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