New canola variety: Mid West trial finds Nuseed Hunter TF to be ‘at least as good as’ 44Y27 and 44Y30

Mid West farmers are encouraged to try a new variety of canola after it achieved 1.25t/ha during a trial this season, despite a difficult summer with only 50mm of rain. Independent Rural have conducted farm-scale crop trials and say the TruFlex hybrid canola variety Hunter TF from Nuseed demonstrated excellent vigour and a compact growth habit, allowing good harvest ability and with improved pod shatter tolerance. The trials were co-ordinated in the Northampton, Perenjori and Binnu areas, with about four runs undertaken since the first trial in 2016-17. Independent Rural branch manager Nigel Routledge said the replicated farm-scale trials put new varieties up against standard lines to compare them and assess data for the Mid West area. “They have become popular with local growers and we have also involved the Northern Agri Group and Yuna Farm Improvement Group,” he said. “Growers are seeing that we are conducting trials independently of the seed companies and it gives them confidence with their decisions.” Despite experiencing tough seasonal conditions with only about 50mm rain throughout the summer last season, Mr Routledge said canola varieties in the trials achieved an average yield of around one tonne per hectare, notching 1.25t/ha. “We had nine varieties in the trial and Hunter TF was fourth best for yield and higher than the mid-range overall. It was third for oil content, so was certainly a strong performer,” he said. The mid-maturing hybrid variety showed strong adaptability from low through to high rainfall regions and offered a good profile against disease. It also demonstrated excellent vigour and compact growth habit, allowing improved harvestability. “It’s looking at least as good as 44Y27 and 44Y30, which have been yardstick varieties in this region,” Mr Routledge said. “Harvestability is a big factor for growers and tall canola varieties can be a problem. Winds also pick up leading into harvest and pod shatter can be a big issue, so growers will definitely be looking at this positive trait with Hunter.” Mr Routledge said there was already strong uptake of Hunter TF by growers for their canola programs next season after successful trials. “We had nine varieties in the trial and Hunter TF was fourth best for yield and higher than the mid-range overall. It was third for oil content, so was certainly a strong performer,” Nigel said, following the Binnu trials. WA market development manager with Nuseed Michael Hickey said not only did Hunter TF have a good profile against disease, but had a strong adaptability from low through to high rainfall regions. “It’s looking at least as good as 44Y27 and 44Y30, which have been yardstick varieties in this region. Hunter had good early vigour and structured up well against them. “Harvestability is a big factor for growers and tall canola varieties can be a problem. Winds also pick up leading into harvest and pod shatter can be a big issue, so growers will definitely be looking at this positive trait with Hunter.”