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Authorised officers ready for canola trials

21st May 2009

The Department of Agriculture and Food has commenced inspections of the State’s first GM canola trials with seeding of up to 1000 hectares expected to be completed on 20 sites this month.

The team of authorised officers will make regular visits to all of the farming properties and department research sites at Geraldton and Esperance hosting the commercial trials to ensure correct procedures are followed.

Seeding of the GM canola had been delayed in some areas, as farmers waited for breaking rains.

Department Agricultural systems manager David Bowran said all participants had signed a licence agreeing to allow the authorised officers access to their farms to inspect the site, machinery hygiene and facilities.

Dr Bowran said the officers would visit each site at least three times during the 2009 season at sowing, flowering and after harvest to inspect handling processes and provide advice. This would be followed up with management of volunteer canola plants in succeeding years.

“Equipment used at all stages will be checked, starting with storage bins for the seed, storage equipment, sprayers, harvesting equipment, field bins, silos and then the trucks to take the seed to the CBH receival bin,” Dr Bowran said.

The team comprising Ross Ramm (Albany), Vince Lambert (Katanning), Marcus Owen (Lake Grace/Merredin) and Shari Dougall (Wongan Hills) have pure seed production experience from research stations and are well qualified to assist individual farmers.

They will work closely with a number of department development officers to provide regional information and Nufarm advisers who are coordinating the trials for Monsanto.

Dr Bowran said the department’s AGWEST plant laboratories would also be involved with verifying that seed and grain were handled correctly outside of the farm.  This would include inspection of CBH bins and road transport arrangements.

Authorised officer Shari Dougall with department officers Wayne Parker and Steve Cosh make sure seeding equipment is ready for the GM canola trial at Geraldton.

Media contacts:

David Bowran, manager agricultural systems, 9690 2137

Katrina Bowers / Lisa Bertram, media liaison, 9368 3937 / 9368 3325