Esperance GM leader

Esperance-based agronomist Andrew Heinrich with the triazine tolerant hybrid canola, Jardee.

Uptake of genetically modified (GM) technology in the Esperance region is expected to be double that of the rest of WA as growers rush to cash in on Roundup Ready canola.

Agronomist and South East Premium Wheat Growers Association board member Andrew Heinrich estimates that 60 per cent of Esperance canola growers will trial the controversial GM variety this season. That compares with the Pastoralists and Graziers Association's (PGA) estimate of 20-30 per cent of canola growers statewide.

But while nearly two thirds of Esperance canola growers will dabble in GM this year, Mr Heinrich believes it will be a cautious first step.

"I doubt whether any growers will grow a half or one third (of GM) in their rotation this year," he said. "They will try 100-200 hectares at the most and become comfortable with the system before jumping in boots and all."

Part of the reason behind the caution is the incidence of ryegrass resistance already emerging in the region.

"Growers are going to be cautious in using Roundup Ready canola because they don't want to overuse glyphosate and push weeds to a higher resistance status," Mr Heinrich said.

But while the expected uptake of GM in Esperance is anticipated to be well above the rest of WA, PGA western grains chairman Rick Wilson said GM still had strong support statewide.

He attributes the increased demand for GM canola in Esperance to bigger operation sizes.

"I expect across WA we will see similar rates of adoption here as in the eastern states - between 20 and 30 per cent," Mr Wilson said. "That's not because the balance oppose GM but because they'll be taking a wait and see approach.

"If the technology isn't viable then it won't be taken up but it's the individual grower's choice."

Gibson grower Chris Hockey annually seeds around 1300ha of canola and this year will be trialling up to 150ha of GM. He believes strategic use of GM canola could help alleviate chemical resistance in weeds.

"I'm interested in GM straightaway," he said.

"We'll maybe start with a small paddock so we can at least get some information on how it will perform."

However, recently released National Variety Trial information has revealed that conventional canola out-yielded GM varieties in WA.

Grown at three sites - near Gibson, Mt Barker and Dudinin - Imi tolerant Clearfield outperformed GM and triazine tolerant (TT) varieties. Near Gibson, the Clearfield Pioneer 45Y82 yielded 4.29 tonnes, compared to GM variety yields between 3.39 and 3.91 tonnes.

It was a similar story at Mt Barker and Dudinin, but across all sites, GM out-yielded TT varieties, WA's most widely grown variety.

The full results of the National Variety Trials are available at www.nvtonline.com.au.

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