![Frost has caused extensive damage to cereal crops in Western Australia. Frost has caused extensive damage to cereal crops in Western Australia.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/5Q2j7ezUfQBfUJsaqK3gfB/bef55f9f-b69e-421c-9dfd-ce6de0877143.JPG/r0_267_5232_3220_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
New wheat varieties
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Australian wheat breeding company LongReach Plant Breeders has revealed two new wheat varieties for Victorian growers.
LRPB11-0140 and Arrow, bred by LRPB and marketed by Advanta Seeds, are currently being bulked up on farms to be ready for purchase and sowing next season.
LRPB11-0140 is a high-yielding, dual-purpose wheat variety suited to all areas that grow Wedgetail. It is a long season type with an Australian Hard rating in Victoria and Prime Hard throughout NSW.
Arrow is a high-yielding AH variety with mid maturity and a short canopy that is focused on producing grain rather than extra straw.
Frost cuts in WA
THE GRAINS Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA) has cut its total WA grain production 11 per cent month on month on the back of the devastating frosts that hit the State in September.
This cut represents over 1.5 million tonnes of grain.
In its crop update, GIWA said cereal crops were expected to be the worst impacted, with yields down 13.5pc in wheat and 16.8pc in barley.
Total WA grain production is expected to be at 15 million tonnes with over 9mt of that wheat.
Greens push for end to TPP
The Australian Government should immediately end all moves towards ratifying the Trans Pacific-Partnership Agreement (TPP) in light of Donald Trump being elected as the president of the United States, the Australian Greens have said.
“The Trans-Pacific Partnership is dead,” Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“It would be extremely foolish to continue down the path towards any form of enabling legislation or ratification of the TPP in Australia, considering the circumstances.
Stopping waterlogging
A BIOLOGICAL product is showing promise in reducing waterlogging stress.
TM Ag, a soil stimulant, uses plant extracts to stimulate soil microbes.
It is produced by Best Environmental Technology.
Victorian agronomist Jamie Ball, Elders St Arnaud, said the product had done well in chickpea, lentil, wheat, barley and oat crops in his region.
He said the crops treated with TM Ag had come through the wet season well, were more robust and handled the conditions better.
“They are certainly retaining their colour, vigour and growth rate versus untreated crops which, if they recover, take some time to improve,’’ Mr Ball said.
“This differential in growth usually translates directly into yield.”