Bayer introduces new canola variety at Horsham field walks

Bayer CropScience held canola field walks in Horsham recently for distributors, agronomists and private consultants. The field walks were one of the first opportunities for breeders to learn more about Bayer Hybrid Canola, IH50RR, Bayer’s first Roundup Ready variety for Australia.

Bayer is investing in the canola seeds and traits business in Australia. The field walks are a way of showcasing Bayer’s commitment to this area, as well as Bayer’s breeding operations in Horsham.

Dominic Bolton, Member Services and Seed Manager at IHD Pty Ltd, attended the field walk and said, “It was great to see the effort and investment Bayer is putting into bringing new products to the Australian seed market.

"Horsham is an impressive site, and those who attended appreciated hearing the breeder respond directly to questions about the IH50RR hybrid and Bayer’s future pipeline,” Dom added.

Bayer’s first Roundup Ready hybrid canola, IH50RR, will be introduced to the broader market in 2013.

Bruce Cairns, Landmark National Seed and Farm Technology Manager, also attended the field walk and said, “It was interesting to gain insights into future products that will come in behind IH50RR; and to see Bayer’s focus on providing high performance, well adapted canola breeding varieties.”

Andrew Loorham, Marketing Manager – Seeds and Traits at Bayer CropScience commented on the product and said, “Its early vigour means this canola will out-compete weeds more effectively, its blackleg tolerance is excellent and the variety’s yields have been solid too.

"The variety’s moderate height means that lodging is not an issue, which is one of the many focuses of our local breeding team,” he added.

"Our continual investment into the local canola breeding program has shown the industry our commitment to establishing a successful seeds and traits business here in Australia. Australian growers will now have more choice, especially as our pipeline of products grows over time.”

IH50RR currently has a provisional rating of resistant-moderately resistant (R-MR) in the independent Canola Association of Australia (CAA) rating scheme.

Jeremy White, Bayer CropScience Market Development Agronomist in Bendigo, Victoria said, “In recent national variety trials, IH50RR has been impressive in terms of yield and oil production.

"Bayer’s breeding operations in Horsham is where the breeding for our canola pipeline products takes place, and with Bayer now in the seeds and traits market in Australia, the future for growers looks bright,” Jeremy added.

In addition to the initial hybrid variety set for commercial release next year, Bayer has two more varieties in the National Variety Trial (NVT) system and a future pipeline of traits that it is developing.

Bayer is committed to working together with growers and partners along the value chain; to cultivate ideas and answers so that Australian agriculture can be more efficient and more sustainable year on year.

The canola field walks took place in Horsham on September 18 and 24. Over both days, there were a total of 63 guests who attended.