Australia
December 15, 2011

With a proven track record of delivering high performing crop varieties, InterGrain is continuing to bring forward the next generation of elite wheat selections with the recent release of Emu Rock.

Previously known as IGW3167, Emu Rock is a high yielding premium AH variety, broadly adapted for mid to late sowings across a range of environments.

InterGrain trialling over the last three years has shown Emu Rock has consistently been the highest yielding AH variety for Agzones 2 and 4.

Bred and developed by Robin Wilson, Chris Moore and the InterGrain wheat breeding team, Emu Rock is well suited to conditions right across southern Australia.

The name Emu Rock follows InterGrain’s tradition of naming its AH wheat varieties with Rock names. That convention makes it easier for growers to know which varieties are suitable for that classification.

Emu Rock offers growers the advantages of durable stripe rust resistance (effective even in the presence of Yr17 virulence) and yellow spot resistance amongst the best in the AH segregation. It has acceptable resistance to leaf and stem rust.

An ideal option for mid to late sowing opportunities in all zones, Emu Rock has sprouting tolerance similar to Janz and Cascades.

Varietal characteristics include an intermediate height. Emu Rock is taller than Wyalkatchem yet shorter than Mace and has a moderate tillering capacity.

With large grain size, it has good test weight and has low susceptibility to screenings and blackpoint.

Due to large grain size, growers are advised it will be important to sow Emu Rock at rates high enough to achieve the desired plant density, in order to maximise this variety’s yield potential.

InterGrain and Nuseed are committed to ensuring that WA growers can rapidly access information on new varieties.

Nuseed WA Northern Area Manager, Hugh Trenorden, believes Emu Rock will give farmers improved disease resistance compared to Westonia, along with adding flexibility to the sowing program.

“As an AH variety, Emu Rock allows farmers to target this quality grade on paddocks suited to producing high protein wheat,” he says. “The premiums for high quality wheat in recent years make this an attractive option for better gross margins.

“Having an early maturing wheat in the program is a great asset in years where the opportunity to sow into moisture does not present itself until later in the season.

“Faced with this situation, farmers can sow Emu Rock with a higher degree of confidence that moisture will be available during grain fill, to yield well and produce high quality grain”.

“The maturity of Emu Rock may also give farmers flexibility to target problem weeds before sowing, enabling enough time for a good knockdown spray or double knock strategy, season permitting.”

Growers with questions on Emu Rock are encouraged to contact either Hugh Trenorden: 0437 206 313 for northern wheatbelt enquiries, or, Andrew Suverijn on 0409 484 702 for southern enquiries.

Emu Rock is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights and is subject to an end point royalty of $3.50/t GST exclusive.

Commercial quantities of seed will be available for next year. Contact your local Nuseed distributor to place an order.

Website: http://www.nuseed.com

Published: January 3, 2012