GRAINS Research and Develop­ment Corporation has released the 2023 South Australian Crop Sowing Guide to help SA grain growers determine the best crop variety for their situation.

GRDC collaborates with the SA Grain Industry Trust and the SA Research and Development Institute of Primary Industries and Regions SA to develop the annual sowing guide, which details information on current varieties of major winter cereal and pulse crops.

SA agronomy consultant Craig Davis said the independent results in the sowing guide helped growers decide what varieties to plant and how to manage them to maximise their potential.

“The sowing guides are a critical decision-making tool to differentiate between varieties in terms of their yield performance, disease rating and grain quality,” he said.

“Growers would not have the same level of confidence to switch varieties if it wasn’t for the information available in the guides — it really helps generate better outcomes for growers.

“The sowing guides support adoption of new and improved varieties and play a key role in the development of the grains industry — growth in grains production would be stifled without them.”

The guides include national variety trials yield, disease and pest resistance results for the past five years as well as information on crop quality attributes and other agronomic considerations.

The 2023 edition covers wheat, barley, oat, canola, field pea, lentil, faba bean, lupin, chickpea and vetch varieties.

SARDI-PIRSA research officer Melissa McCallum said the organisation valued the opportunity to be part of the process.

“It is wonderful SARDI-PIRSA continues to contribute to the guide and provide growers with an independent view on how the new and current varieties are suited to SA,” she said.

To download the guide, visit grdc.com.au/resources-and-publication or order a hard copy via 1800 110 044 or ground-cover-direct@canprint.com.au (postage and handling charges apply).