South Perth,
Western
Australia
March 11, 2005
The Department of
Agriculture, Western Australia has reported strong demand
for two new Australian Hard grade wheats EGA Eagle Rock and
Tammarin Rock, as grain growers prepare for the coming season.
Tammarin Rock,
released in February for adoption in low rainfall areas, has
already sold out, but seed of WGA Eagle Rock is available for
purchase.
Department
commercialisation officer Tresslyn Walmsley said demand had also
been strong for the more widely adapted EGA Eagle Rock and seed
was being marketed through three licencees- The Seed Group
(contact
Eastern Districts Seed Cleaners),
COGGO Seeds
and Coorow Seeds.
“Supply has
been impacted marginally as one of the bulk up crops of EGA
Eagle Rock was grown in a region where Fusarium Head Blight was
detected, resulting in this seed being withdrawn,” Ms Walmsley
said.
“In keeping
with current seed health and hygiene approaches to ensure the
safety and quality of seed, the Licensee (The Seed Group) in
conjunction with the Department will not be making available
seed that was subject to risk of spreading Fusarium Head Blight.
“No other seed
bulk up crops were impacted by the detection of Fusarium Head
Blight in parts of Western Australia in 2004 and purchasers can
be confident seed available through the licensees meets high
standards of health and quality.”
She said EGA
Eagle Rock had the major benefit of the same level of metribuzin
tolerance as Blade, the only other wheat with this tolerance.
"Metribuzin can be used to control brome grass, ryegrass, silver
grass and barley grass, as well as wild radish,” Ms Walmsley
said..
"The use of that herbicide under permit with EGA Eagle Rock will
provide a cost-effective and useful option to control these
weeds.
"This means lower chemical costs and advantages in helping to
manage herbicide resistance.”
Compared with
Blade, EGA Eagle Rock has a higher falling number, higher yield
and better leaf rust resistance. It also achieves high protein
and low screenings with an acceptable black point level.
The
waterlogging and pre-harvest sprouting tolerance also appeals to
growers in higher rainfall zones.
EGA Eagle Rock
also has the best combination of rust resistances of the
Australian Hard wheat varieties.
Ms Walmsley said it was understood that all three
licensee's have seed stocks of EGA Eagle Rock available for
purchase.
Further information on suitability, adaptation
and production of the variety Tammarin Rock is available in
Farmnote 18/2005, available from the Department of Agriculture’s
website (www.agric.gov.au)
and offices. A Farmnote on production aspects of EGA Eagle Rock
is expected to be available in early April. |