Published Tuesday, 27 November, 2007 at 01:00 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
New soybean variety launched at Isis
The Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries the Hon Tim Mulherin launched a new soybean variety at the newly-opened Isis Central Sugar Mill today.
Mr Mulherin said Fraser was a welcome addition to soybean production in the Wide Bay sugarcane areas as it produced consistently high yields in coastal environments and had a clear hilum, which was highly desired for the more profitable edible market.
“Fraser’s good seed size, light hilum colour, and suitable protein profile gives it better acceptance by the processing industry,” he said.
“Fraser is suited not only for human consumption, but also for the feed and oilseed crushing markets.
“Its high yield potential and local adaptation make it an ideal choice for growers who want to gain access to food and feed grain markets.
“This variety produces higher biomass that provides excellent organic matter and nitrogen benefits for the next sugar cane crop.
”Fraser is also resistant to the common diseases bacterial blight, bacterial pustule and phytophthora root rot, any of which are capable of causing serious losses.
“With continuing challenges to profitability, variations in world sugar prices, increased competition and higher costs in production facing sugarcane industries, Fraser will join the list of valuable tools available to growers to further their efforts to remain globally competitive.”
Mr Mulherin said CSIRO and DPI&F jointly bred and developed Fraser to provide distinct advantages over existing varieties.
“Growers who trialled the variety in the 2006/07 season considered it superior to the main varieties grown in the target region,” he said.
The Grains Research & Development Corporation helped fund the development of Fraser under the National Soybean Improvement Program.
The Northern Australia Soybean Industry Association will market Fraser under its commercial arm, SoyNorth.
NASIA spokesman Lloyd Neilsen said that the release of Fraser represented an important opportunity for producers to change stride and adopt more productive and marketable varieties that are more suited to coastal climes.
Media:
Minister’s office 32396530
DPI&F Neil Halpin 4132 5540
CSIRO Andrew James 3214 2278.
Mr Mulherin said Fraser was a welcome addition to soybean production in the Wide Bay sugarcane areas as it produced consistently high yields in coastal environments and had a clear hilum, which was highly desired for the more profitable edible market.
“Fraser’s good seed size, light hilum colour, and suitable protein profile gives it better acceptance by the processing industry,” he said.
“Fraser is suited not only for human consumption, but also for the feed and oilseed crushing markets.
“Its high yield potential and local adaptation make it an ideal choice for growers who want to gain access to food and feed grain markets.
“This variety produces higher biomass that provides excellent organic matter and nitrogen benefits for the next sugar cane crop.
”Fraser is also resistant to the common diseases bacterial blight, bacterial pustule and phytophthora root rot, any of which are capable of causing serious losses.
“With continuing challenges to profitability, variations in world sugar prices, increased competition and higher costs in production facing sugarcane industries, Fraser will join the list of valuable tools available to growers to further their efforts to remain globally competitive.”
Mr Mulherin said CSIRO and DPI&F jointly bred and developed Fraser to provide distinct advantages over existing varieties.
“Growers who trialled the variety in the 2006/07 season considered it superior to the main varieties grown in the target region,” he said.
The Grains Research & Development Corporation helped fund the development of Fraser under the National Soybean Improvement Program.
The Northern Australia Soybean Industry Association will market Fraser under its commercial arm, SoyNorth.
NASIA spokesman Lloyd Neilsen said that the release of Fraser represented an important opportunity for producers to change stride and adopt more productive and marketable varieties that are more suited to coastal climes.
Media:
Minister’s office 32396530
DPI&F Neil Halpin 4132 5540
CSIRO Andrew James 3214 2278.