By Liz Rodway
The Australian cropping sector is leading the world in terms of
productivity gains.
Peter Reading from the Grains Research and Development Corporation say
the main drivers are better farm management, advances with plant breeding,
improved crop rotation, new herbicides, more efficient fertiliser use, the
growth of large-scale farming - and even tractor design. The GRDC is looking
to work closely with machinery manufacturers including Caterpillar to ensure
features farmers are looking for in tractors are included in the design
process.

Future productivity gains will be achieved through genetically
modified crops and new grain varieties. Peter Reading says GRDC wants to see
a 1 per cent yield improvement in wheat and barley, a 1.5 per cent canola
and sorghum and 2 per cent for pulses.

Wheat yield jumps are being brought about by improvements in breeding.
New varieties such as Merinda, Livingston, LongReach Crusader, LongReach
Dakota, EGA Wills, QT11869 and QT12136 - are stripe rust-resistant. In
addition, improvements in GM strains of wheat should also improve yields.


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