By Sophie Bruns

Two genetically modified canola crops that have been grown in the Yarrawonga
area look like making it right through to harvest, while other canola crops
have been cut for hay or silage.
The farmers who have grown the crop this season, have been pleased with its
overall performance and will definitely grow it again next year.

Jamie Cummins, who has sown 80 ha of the crop, has been impressed with the
early vigour and growth of the GM canola and its ability to control weeds.

He has decided to let his stand go through to harvest.

"It was the best of all canola varieties grown on our home farm," Mr Cummins
said.

"There will be a lot more growers putting it in next year.

"We didn't expect GM to out yield other varieties, but it suits our system
well and will be in our rotation next year."

One of the main benefits the crop offered, was a reduction in chemical
usage.

Mr Cummins said Roundup could be used to control ryegrass.

"We didn't take the decision to grow GM canola lightly.

"We looked into growing it, after the canola phase the paddocks are a lot
cleaner entering in to the cereal phase," he said.

"I am only 29. If it was detrimental to the environment I wouldn't do it. We
have planted over 3000 trees on our farm over the last few years," Mr
Cummins said.

Evan Ryan, whose family planted 200 ha of GM canola, is also pretty
impressed with his crop and has decided to harvest his for grain.

"I am very impressed how it has performed in dry conditions with limited
moisture," Mr Ryan said.

The GM canola was sown next to traditional varieties on the Ryans' farm and
Mr Ryan said the crop was taller, thicker and appeared to have a bigger
yield when compared to his other varieties.

"It will definitely be a major tool going forward to maintain sustainability
and profitability of our business," Mr Ryan said.

The Roundup Ready variety of GM canola called 46Y20 was sown on-farm by Mr
Cummins and Mr Ryan.

"I am looking forward to growing it in a season where its true potential can
be reached," Mr Ryan said.

Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia national marketing and communications manager
James Holden said there had been around 5000 ha of Roundup Ready canola sown
in Victoria on around 50 farms.

"Most of this will be harvested dependant on rainfall over the next few
months but some has been cut for hay, especially in northern Victoria," Mr
Holden said.

Quantities of seed available for next season were not known yet, because
seed production blocks have not been harvested.

Mr Holden believes that 10 to 15 times the area sown this year, could be
sown next year.

Nu Seed southern regional manager Matthew Taylor said the GM crops would be
a tool for the future of the industry heading forward.

"Not everyone will grow GM, but there will be a place for it in the future,"
Mr Taylor said.

"Growers have been very happy with weed control and the varieties have all
performed very well and done what they were supposed to do," Mr Taylor said.
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