Growers, agronomists and consultants were able to get a first-hand look at the next generation Clearfield canola hybrid launched at a recent field day in the Mid North.
Pioneer SA area manager Paul Jenke said participants on the day were able to inspect the new Pioneer canola hybrid 43Y92 (CL) and also receive an insight into the local breeding program.
“Pioneer canola breeder Ray Cowley led a wide-ranging discussion on the different aspects of the research effort to develop and improve our hybrids,” he said.
“This included the focus by Pioneer on the breeding lines of Clearfield canola hybrid.”
He said this was a particularly important message for SA growers who do not have access to genetically-modified canola available in other states and rely heavily on Clearfield canola for weed competition and control.
“Clearfield canola from Pioneer is also well known for its high yields, and strong agronomic traits that include excellent early vigour, high oil, standability and harvestability,” he said.
“It was a reassuring message from Pioneer research that the focus on breeding lines with the Clearfield trait of herbicide resistance was very strong and we would still benefit with the release of new and improved Clearfield canola hybrids in years to come.”
43Y92 (CL) is an early maturity canola hybrid, suited for lower rainfall areas, which will replace Pioneer brand 44Y89 (CL).
Mr Jenke said 43Y92 (CL) had consistently out yielded 44Y89 (CL) in research trials across a number of years and is a hybrid with a significant upside.
“44Y89 (CL) has been the benchmark hybrid in the past couple of years because of its consistency across a wide range of seasonal conditions,” he said.
“It is exciting to release a new canola that is significantly better than its predecessor with the aim of benefiting growers with extra yield, and extra profit.”
He said the 43Y92 (CL) demonstrated high yields across a range of environments and a complete agronomic package that included exceptional early vigour, a shorter stature, and good standability.
“This is an ideal option for windrowing as well as farmers that direct-head their crops,” he said.
“Its maturity makes it well-suited to shorter-season areas or as a later-planted canola in higher rainfall areas.”
Field day participants also went through the Yield Max management trial, which focused on nitrogen responses and disease management to optimise yields from Pioneer canola hybrids.
“Yield Max has been operating in the past two seasons to evaluate inputs such as nutrition and fungicide and their role in optimising the yields from Pioneer canola hybrids,” Mr Jenke said.
“Canola hybrids in other parts of the world are consistently getting higher average yields than those in Australia.
“The Yield Max trials are designed to look at inputs to close the gap between Australian yields and overseas yields. It is all about realising the genetic potential of the Pioneer hybrids and maximising yield and profit.”
Mr Jenke said there were obvious visual differences between identical canola hybrids that had been treated with different amounts and timings of nitrogen applications.
“It will be really interesting to see the yields from the different treatments at harvest to help growers evaluate the best nutrition and fungicide packages,” he said.
