Australia: Rapid adoption of Roundup Ready canola boosts sales by 55%

Australian growers are switching to Roundup Ready canola at the fastest rate yet purchasing a record 855 tonnes of seed this season.

Sales surged across the country demonstrating grower confidence in the value of Roundup Ready canola in all growing regions. More than 2,700 tonnes of Roundup Ready canola seed have been purchased since its introduction in 2009.

New high performing varieties, diminishing premiums for non-GM canola and growing market acceptance led to sales of 639 tonnes in WA sales (up 53%). Sales growth was even stronger on the east coast with growers in Victoria purchasing 91 tonnes (up 72%) and 125 tonnes (up 59%) in New South Wales.

The 55% increase in sales this season will lead to a big jump in market share as the overall area planted to canola is expected to be only slightly larger than last year.

Monsanto Australia Managing Director, Daniel Kruithoff, said that Roundup Ready canola is now a mainstream agricultural tool for growers across the country.

“Growers are turning to Roundup Ready canola in greater numbers every year for the simple fact that it delivers them value. The rapid adoption also sends a very clear signal that there is solid demand for GM canola in domestic and international markets.

“We expect strong growth in adoption to continue in the years ahead driven by our next generation of Roundup Ready canola products which will provide growers with even more flexibility and agronomic benefits.

“Seed companies are also investing heavily in developing GM varieties on the back of growing demand for Roundup Ready canola which is great news for local growers,” Dan said.

The strong sales growth follows National Variety Trials (NVT) that reveal Roundup Ready canola varieties have higher oil content and are higher yielding than other herbicide tolerant varieties.

The latest NVT data shows that compared with other top varieties, Roundup Ready canola is on average yielding 7.6% more than Triazine Tolerant varieties and 6.7% above Clearfield varieties.

Adding to the growing market acceptance of Roundup Ready canola was the results of the largest survey of Australian canola growers which found that GM canola offers significant environmental benefits.

The research commissioned by the Birchip Cropping Group and Grains Research and Development Corporation revealed that Roundup Ready canola growers reduced the cultivation of their soil and their use of diesel and high-risk herbicides.