The uptake of genetically modified (GM) canola has been furiously debated, with proponents claiming farmers will enjoy the benefits of being able to tidy up paddocks with glyphosate, and opponents saying that the increased costs and regulation will outweigh the benefit of the technology.

Kaniva farmer Alwyn Dyer is firmly in the “for” camp when it comes to GM canola, and plans to grow more hectares this year, after being one of the pioneering growers to plant Roundup Ready canola in its first year of commercialisation in 2008.

Mr Dyer said the Roundup Ready hybrid variety impressed him with its early vigour and overall growth last year, although a lack of rain in spring cut into its yield potential.

“September and October were a write-off but I was happy with the way the canola performed under the circumstances,” he said.

The GM cultivar and a Clearfield variety were the pick of his canola, doing better than the triazine tolerant lines he had in.

Mr Dyer said most of the canola was direct-drilled into the previous year’s cereal crop stubble and because of this stubble load, early vigour was vital for good establishment.

He said the seedlings had to emerge in shaded and cooler ground temperature conditions and the hybrid vigour of the canola was noticeable.

*Extract from on-farm to appear in Stock & Land May 14.