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AUS – GM CANOLA IN HIGH DEMAND IN WA
Source: Monsanto Australia Ltd Media Release 15 June 2010.
Roundup Ready® canola plantings through the roof in WA
Plantings of Roundup Ready canola in Western Australia (WA) have far exceeded expectations with more than 70,000 ha now being sown.
This is more than double the early estimates from technology developer Monsanto Australia only two months ago, and highlights the extent to which western Australian grain growers are embracing the new technology.
Early this year the WA Government announced an exemption to their GM crop moratoria legislation, to allow GM canola traits that have been approved by Federal regulators to be planted commercially in WA for the first time.
Western Australia Business Manager with Monsanto, Tom Breen, says the phenomenal uptake in this first year confirms how eager growers were to take up the technology.
“We now have just over 300 growers sowing GM canola for the first time this season, with over 700 farmers and agronomists completing the Roundup Ready canola accreditation”, Tom said.
All planting declarations are due in today and Tom expects to confirm the total area sown by the end of the week. This information will then be collated by Shire and provided to the WA Government.
“It just proves that WA farmers are extremely innovative and keen to be early adopters of new technology where they see tangible benefits to their operations.”
“It’s our understanding that WA growers see Roundup Ready canola as an excellent fit to make their cropping systems more sustainable, because of the reliable weed control and assistance it gives them in managing resistance to other herbicide groups.”
Advice on management of Roundup Ready canola through the growing season is available through appointed Technology Service Providers who are available to assist growers integrate the new technology into their farming systems in a sustainable way.
Tom commented about the Technology Service Providers, “They have been invaluable in assisting the large number of growers wishing to plant Roundup Ready canola this year. They are working very hard to understand the technology and provide advice to farmers on how it might best fit in their operations.”
As well, farmers who are interested in estimating the benefits of using Roundup Ready canola in their grain program can access the Roundup Ready value calculator via the Monsanto website - www.monsanto.com.au/products/canola/roundup_ready/yellow.asp
ENDS
About Monsanto Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world’s natural resources such as water and energy. Monsanto Australia Ltd is a Monsanto Company subsidiary. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: http://www.monsanto.com or www.monsanto.com.au in Australia.
Roundup Ready is a registered Trademark of Monsanto Technologies LLC used under licence by Monsanto Australia Ltd.
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