Monsanto has limited amounts of Roundup Ready seed available and there will be some plantings through Victoria and NSW but it will not be possible to walk in off the street and source seed.

Monsanto commercial canola leader, Tony May, says Monsanto has picked out suitable locations for the distribution outlets for the seed to reflect where the canola would best be grown while the distribution outlets have themselves chosen a handful of growers they recommended to be able to plant the first GM canola crop.

Mr May says there are about 180 growers down to plant Roundup Ready this year and most plantings will be limited to around 50-150ha per farmer.

He says it's estimated there will be about 10,000ha planted, producing roughly 10-15,000 tonnes, depending on seasonal conditions.

Both Monsanto and the seed companies will closely monitor the crops this year to ensure there are no problems.

He says there will also be a number of field days open to the public to improve understanding of the product when it comes out on full commercial release.

Delivery sites are close to being finalised. For this year, GM canola will be stored separately to conventional canola although Mr May is confident they can be stored at the same site and meet industry standards for adventitious presence in the future.

It is believed a number of small sites will be leased off bulk handlers for this year's crop – with an announcement to be made within weeks.