Harvest results from the 2007 National Variety Trial (NVT) program are now available to growers and advisors on the ACAS website, at www.acasnvt.com.au.  On this website, reports can be generated to provide accredited information on the performance and characteristics of crop varieties, so valid comparisons between varieties can be made. 

The four reports that can be downloaded are trial reports, variety reports, comparison between varieties and predicted yield reports.  The trial report provides detailed information on a trial, including analysed yield results.  Variety report details characteristics of a chosen variety and comparisons between varieties of the same crop type can be displayed.  Finally the predicted yield report generates state by state long term analysis of varietal performance.  

The three top yielding wheat varieties at Cummins in the 2007 NVT trial were the new variety Axe (2.07 t/ha) and Guardian (2.04 t/ha) and Young (2.01 t/ha).  Axe is a vigorous growing, early flowering, hard variety released by AGT last year.  With large grain and low screening losses it is showing potential in SA especially under very dry, sharp finishes like 2006 and 2007.  Axe is rated by AGT as MS to stem rust and MR to stripe and leaf rust, it is however susceptible to CCN. 

Guardian was developed by Longreach Plant Breeders and is derived from Krichauff, with improved grain quality (APW grade).  It is resistant to CCN, MR to stem rust but MS to stripe and leaf rust. NVT yield data is limited to the 2006 and 2007 seasons with results generally equal to or superior than Yitpi. 

Young was released in 2005 from AGT as an early maturing, broadly adapted hard wheat with CCN resistance and MR to all three rusts.  Young’s grain plumpness, however, is similar to Janz, and tends to suffer in very dry spring conditions. 

The new feed barley variety Hindmarsh (3.03 t/ha) was the highest yielding variety in the Cummins NVT barley trial last year, followed by Keel (2.76 t/ha) and Fleet (2.49 t/ha).  Hindmarsh is an early maturing variety which offers excellent yield potential and grain size.  Seed is available from AWB Seeds. 

Fleet is a new CCN resistant feed barley as a direct replacement for Barque and Mundah and is available through ABB Grain and the Australian Field Crops Association. 

The top two malting varieties last year were the established variety Sloop SA (2.38 t/ha) and the newer variety Buloke (2.31 t/ha).  Buloke was developed by VicDPI and is a tall, early to mid season variety that shows outstanding yield potential, average 9% advantage over Schooner.  Buloke is available through AWB Seeds.  

Harvest yields and quality data for all commercial wheat and barley varieties at Cummins and other NVT sites across Lower Eyre Peninsula are available on the website, plus results for other field crops including canola, peas, lupins, and chickpeas.

Another way to access the 2007 variety trial results will be in the Crop Harvest Report in the February/March edition of Grain Business.  This will provide a comprehensive summary of NVT and breeding trial results for 2007 and long-term from our research program on Eyre Peninsula and the State.  The report will also contain notes on released varieties and performance tables.  These yield tables will also be published in the Eyre Peninsula Farming Systems 2007 Summary book, due to be sent to all Eyre Peninsula farmers by Minnipa Agricultural Centre in late February. 

If you have any questions or comments regarding the 2007 harvest trial results please contact me at the SARDI Field Crop Improvement Centre in Port Lincoln, on 8688 3417.

AUTHOR: Joanne Crouch, Research Agronomist, SARDI
CONTACT: Joanne Crouch, SARDI Pt Lincoln, Telephone, 08 8688 3417