Raising the stakes for grazing and grain

With a total of 55 new dual-purpose cereal varieties being trialled across the state, farmers can expect a comprehensive performance report from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

DPI technical specialist for grains services, Peter Matthews, said trials funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation were currently underway at Cowra, Culcairn, Somerton and Purlewaugh.

"These trials build on a strong history of testing cereal varieties for grazing and grain production to successfully fit into mixed grazing systems across NSW," Mr Matthews said.

"Dual-purpose cereal crops are top performers in the gross margin stakes as they generate income from grain sales and livestock production."

This year the DPI is testing 21 wheat, 18 oat, one cereal rye, seven barley and eight triticale varieties by growing them at the different sites under commercial best practice conditions.

The crops are grazed by sheep through the vegetative growing period and managed through to harvest when the grain yields are measured.

Dry matter production is assessed at regular intervals during the growing season.

Results from the 2012 evaluation trials will be available in the 2013 NSW DPI Winter Crop Variety Sowing Guide and on the department’s web site early next year.

Photographs are available from bernadette.york@dpi.nsw.gov.au

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