BETTER breeding and prices are expected to improve confidence in durum this coming season.
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Mellco managing director Steve Mellington, who buys durum on behalf of pasta manufacturers such as San Remo, said Australian durum was readily sought in the global marketplace.
But one big issue was inconsistent supply, he said.
“Australian durum is recognised globally for quality, but our biggest impediment is the variability in our supply year-to-year,” he said.
“Hopefully recent advances in genetic material, such as the breeding program behind the release of Aurora, will improve that supply.”
Growers were also benefiting from an improvement in durum prices.
“This past harvest, durum prices mostly traded in a range of $400-$450 a tonne, which is historically high and well above bread wheat prices,” Mr Mellington said.
The Australian durum harvest is about 500,000t.
Mr Mellington expects there to be a considerable swing to growing Aurora.
“So some of the impediments that durum growers were frustrated with, such as yield inconsistency and quality risks, have been addressed through genetic improvements,” he said.
“Hopefully this leads to a more buoyant durum industry and, therefore, addresses the concerns about supplying the global marketplace.”
Southern Australia Durum Growers Association seed manager Neville Sharpe said across its five trial years, Aurora had performed better than the other main varieties by up to 15 per cent in yield.
“Even in 2015, with the dry finish, Aurora also had the best quality of all the varieties, with nearly all loads going durum 1 for protein and low screenings,” he said.
The new variety also boasts a superior disease resistance package.