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Early sowing key to Magenta success

InterGrain Wheat West breeder Dan Mullan.

Magenta wheat continues to be a robust variety for WA growers who have longer growing seasons, and was a solid performer last year.

The mid to long-season variety excelled in the longer growing season, took advantage of the softer spring finish and maximised its yield potential.

InterGrain WA territory manager Dave Meharry said last year's conditions were perfect for Magenta growers to capitalise on its high-yield potential and vindicated by the variety topping NVT trials across the State.

WA growers are well aware profitable wheat growing is all about managing risk, adapting to seasonal demands and planting the right variety at the right time.

"Getting Magenta in early is one of the keys to a successful crop and growers are all too aware of the importance of taking advantage of an early sowing opportunity," Mr Meharry said.

"This is where Magenta still has a good fit in a lot of growers' programs."

Magenta was released in 2007 and, although considered an older variety these days, it continues to perform and provide agronomic flexibility for growers with longer growing seasons.

According to InterGrain Wheat West breeder Dan Mullan, growers should keep Magenta in mind as an opportunistic variety to diversify their wheat variety portfolio.

Its APW classification and robust disease package can provide strong financial returns for growers.

"Magenta has very good yellow spot resistance, one of the highest commercially available. Magenta also has a long coleoptile and good tillering capacity which help out-compete troublesome weeds," he said.

"Growers can sow Magenta deeper to chase soil moisture or to avoid pre-em herbicide bands.

"Because of Magenta's vigorous tillering ability, it's important that growers consider their seeding rates."

Mr Mullan said while Magenta was an excellent early sowing option, growers should avoid sowing the variety beyond mid-May because this would increase the risk of the variety experiencing hotter and drier conditions during the critical flowering and grain development phase, increasing the chance of screenings at harvest.

He said while Magenta did not provide a high tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting, he believed growers could manage this by considering their risk factors and weighing up the options.

Magenta is available for farmer-to-farmer trading in WA and InterGrain encourages growers to trade any excess seed with other growers.

For further information on the InterGrain farmer-to-farmer trade system, visit www.intergrain.com under the seed section or contact Mr Meharry on 0427 855 059 or email dmehar ry@intergrain.com .