Experienced canola grower Howard Muller of ‘Highfield’, Ryan, west of Henty, was pleased with the end result of the 90 hectares of Monola 77TT that he grew last year.
“In a tough finish to the year, the Monola yielded 1.39 tonnes/hectare, with an average oil content of 43.8 per cent.
“I was pleased with that result,” said Howard.
Growing a crop that he also gets a premium for the oil is attractive but there are many other reasons why Howard has chosen to grow Monola 77TT after having also grown his standard Triazine Tolerant (TT) canola variety.
With TT canola varieties fitting well into Howard’s crop management program which is now based on a four year rotation involving oilseed crops and wheat.
Growing a TT variety helps Howard in controlling major weeds like wild radish, Paterson’s curse and grass weeds like annual ryegrass.
“Being able to use atrazine and simazine also helps in controlling any later germinating weeds, which is a real bonus,” said Howard.
In comparing the performance of Monola 77TT to his TT canola variety, Howard listed some advantages he sees in growing the Monola.
“Both crops were sown between April 28 and May 5 into light wheat and triticale stubble using a double-shoot Flexi-Coil knife point and press wheel system, without harrows.
“Crop establishment was excellent in a great start to the cropping season in the
district.
“The Monola 77TT may have been slightly behind the TT canola in getting established, but in hindsight that was not a bad thing this year considering the mild start we had to the season.
“I also preferred having the medium height crop of the Monola for ease of handling throughout the season and at harvest time.
“I think that is a real plus,” said Howard.
With the dry finish to the season harvest statistics showed that the Monola 77TT yielded 1.39 tonnes/hectare compared to the TT canola, which averaged 1.41 tonnes/hectare.
“The oil content was 0.2 per cent higher in the Monola 77TT at 43.8 per cent plus the premium bonus payment I get for growing the crop, the Monola finished in front of the TT canola dollar wise,” said Howard.
His agronomist, Allan Edis of M S Davidson at Henty, saw quite a few Monola 77TT crops in the district and sees it having a good fit in the district.
“There are plenty of reasons why Monola 77TT has a future in this district.
“It has all the advantages of triazine tolerant (TT) canola with the added bonus of a premium payment.
“Atrazine and simazine can be used for a different mode of action on annual ryegrass and along with a post emergent selective grass herbicide.
“This is helping slow down the onset of herbicide resistance.
“They also provide control of a wide spectrum of problem weeds such as wild radish, Paterson’s curse, silver grass, toadrush and wireweed.
“Controlling Paterson’s curse is more difficult and expensive in Clearfield canola systems and there are no options for control in conventional canola.
“And in the Roundup Ready canola crops, controlling later germinating wild radish is difficult due to a lack of residual control.
“This is why TT varieties fit in so well in high weed pressure situations,” said Mr Edis.
Looking at the bigger picture, Mr Edis sees one major benefit of growing Monola.
“The healthier oil produced from Monola is what the market place is demanding.
“Farmers have an opportunity to grow a product that consumers want and receive a premium for it,” said Mr Edis.
Mr Muller agrees.
“I can grow an easy to manage oilseed crop that fits well into my overall farm management.
“Monola 77TT is high yielding and has good oil content and I receive a bonus payment for growing the crop.
“That makes a lot of sense to me,” said Howard.
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