19 March 2004: In May 2003 55ha of Hyola 60 canola was planted at Paspaley Pearls Farms at Kurrajong Park, Coolah. Farm agronomist, Andrew McFadyen (left) said he chose Hyola 60 because it has the potential to take advantage of the softer climate and finish usually experienced at Coolah. The 2003 crop yielded an average of 3t/ha with 48 percent oil.

The farming company began planting Hyola 60 following Pacific Seeds’ trials on the property. “It stemmed from the fact we were trialing Pacific Seeds’ varieties in 2000 -01 and decided to run with Hyola 60 because we liked the high yield and oil potential,” he said. Other benefits Andrew sees in Hyola 60 are its standability and eveness of flowering. “We don’t need to windrow the crop, we can direct head it. It also doesn’t seem to shatter out, generally its thick canopy shields it.” The variety also provides a good fit with the area’s climate and the property’s soils. “We like it because we can get it in early, we usually plant around Anzac Day.”


Having a local contact with the seed company is also a positive factor for Andrew. “Having Tony [Pacific Seeds’ Territory Manager, Tony McCumstie] close by and the company’s varieties in trials, is a good source of local data about how varieties perform in the area,” he said.


For the 2004 season, Andrew said they will plant Hyola 60 again, despite a breakdown in many parts of Australia in the sylvestris* based Blackleg resistance of this hybrid. “We’ll still run with it this year,” he said. “I think we’d be facing yield penalties if we didn’t.” Part of the reason behind Andrew deciding to continue with the variety lies in the management practices of the property. “We only plant it in a one in four year rotation,” he said. Another factor assisting in the decision is that all Pacific Seeds’ canola varieties are treated with Jockey® fungicide as standard. Additionally Blackleg resistance breakdown is not as large a threat as far north as Coolah.


For the 2005 season, Andrew said it is likely they will try newly released canola hybrid, Hyola 61. *Consult your agronomist or advisor prior to planting varieties with sylvestris based Blackleg resistance.