InterGrain's Kingbale, a mid-maturing IMI tolerant oaten hay variety with improved tolerance to soil residual imidazolinone herbicides - potentially available in 2022

Following InterGrain's decision earlier this year to delay the release Kingbale in 2021, InterGrain thought it timely to provide an update leading into the 2022 season.

Whilst Kingbale was successful in receiving a Sentry registration for hay and seed production earlier this year, grower feedback regarding not having a registration for grain use at this time highlighted the on-farm challenges this would cause. Therefore, the delay of Kingbale’s release until a grain registration or permit was received was considered an essential step in ensuring the longevity of Kingbale, and future imi-tolerant varieties.

Together with Nufarm and Grains Innovation Australia (GIA), InterGrain has been working hard behind the scenes and are confident Kingbale will be available to growers in the 2022 season.

InterGrain recognises that Kingbale is considered a highly useful tool within a cropping system, and collectively InterGrain has been working hard to deliver this tool to industry.

Kingbale is a mid-maturing IMI tolerant oaten hay variety with improved tolerance to soil residual imidazolinone herbicides. It is an ideal variety for use where there are IMI residue concerns from
previous crops.

Kingbale is a tall variety with good early vigour and is suitable for planting in the major hay growing regions of Australia. Preliminary data shows Kingbale has a similar disease and agronomic profile to Wintaroo and indicates that it is resistant to CCN, although, rust (likely susceptible) will require proactive management.

Yield information is currently limited. More data on the yield potential and hay quality of Kingbale will likely be available in 2022 once data from the 2021 season is processed.

Kingbale is the world’s first single gene IMI tolerant oaten hay variety. The original breeding work was undertaken by Grains Innovation Australia (GIA) and the line is being commercialised by InterGrain.

Kingbale offers growers a new herbicide option for their oaten hay rotations, while significantly improving weed control. Sentry^® is registered for use Incorporated by Sowing (IBS) where Kingbale will be used for seed and hay production. Find the Sentry label here.

InterGrain is confident that Kingbale will likely be available in 2022 pending successful receipt of a domestic APVMA Sentry feed grain use permit and/or registration. InterGrain strongly encourages expressions of interest for this variety to be placed with Seedclub members for planting in 2022. There are no restrictions on 2022 seed volumes which can be purchased and seed can be retained from crops sown in 2022. Farmer to farmer trade is not approved for Kingbale.

Thank you for your continued support with Kingbale and if InterGrain can assist with any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local Territory Manager.