Australia's largest plant breeding company Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) believe they are offering growers greater yield stability across a range of sowing dates by releasing high performing varieties with different phenology packages.
One of those varieties, Catapult, which is a mid-late season variety, was an attractive option in the 2019 season for New South Wales grain grower Brendan Pattison due to its flexible sowing window.
Farming at Marrar in the NSW Riverina, Mr Pattison said he sowed Catapult slightly later than he initially anticipated due to a number of logistical factors.
"We were aiming to have Catapult sown in late April but it eventually went in the second week of May," he said.
"It still yielded really well demonstrating that sowing time flexibility.
"It didn't grow a lot of biomass early.
"Instead, it held back slightly and didn't race ahead but still finished really well."
When compared to other long season wheat varieties grown in the same conditions on Mr Pattison's farm, Catapult yielded about 100 kilograms per hectare higher.
Stubble retention is an important part of Mr Pattison's farming system to reduce erosion and improve soil structure.
He said the residue of Catapult has given him the ground cover he requires.
"The yellow leaf spot resistance of Catapult also suits our farming system, as stubble retention can increase the pressure of the disease," Mr Pattison said.
Mr Pattison said Catapult's flexible sowing window and robust grain package have motivated him to sow the variety again in 2020.
The ideal sowing window for Catapult is late April to early May with Mr Pattison looking to sow earlier this year to increase yields.
"I am looking forward to sowing it a bit earlier this year to see what it can do," he said.
"It definitely suits my farming business well."
Catapult has an AH quality classification for southern NSW, Victoria and WA.
Commercial quantities of Catapult are available through AGT Affiliates, or local retailers.
- Visit: www.agtbreeding.com.au
