Experienced researchers will deliver the one-day workshops directly to growers and farm advisers, covering topics such as: when should my canola flower?; how do I match sowing date and variety to ensure the crop flowers at the right time?; what is the critical growth period for canola?; how do I optimise canola crop growth?; and what are key agronomic tactics to maximise yield?.

Growers will hear the latest research on how to optimise the profitability of canola crops as part of roadshows being run across NSW next month. Photo: GRDC.

The Optimised Canola Profitability project is a collaboration between the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), CSIRO, the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), which is a division of Primary Industries and Regions SA.

As part of the project, 50 field experiments were conducted from 2014 to 2018 to identify the best sowing dates to maximise yield for different canola varieties based on their phenology (rates of development). The experiments were located at 14 sites, from SA's Eyre Peninsula and Victoria's Wimmera through to the central-west slopes of NSW and the Darling Downs in south-eastern Queensland.

GRDC Grower Relations Manager Richard Holzknecht said the research had resulted in the development of comprehensive guidelines for canola growers across eastern Australia.

"These roadshows are a chance for growers to hear directly from experienced researchers about critical issues such as regional varietal selection, seed placement and rates, weed, pest and disease management, soil nutrition and windrow timing," he said.

"There is no cost to attend these information sessions so I really would encourage growers to come along -both those who have grown canola or are interested in trying it as a new crop in their farming systems."

The Optimised Canola Profitability Roadshows are on from 9.30am-3pm on: