TruFlex canola issues threaten Western Australian yields

Western Australian farmers are reporting significant issues with canola varieties featuring the Bayer-developed TruFlex glyphosate tolerance trait. Mark Fowler, president of the WAFarmers grains section, stated that the problems have affected a significant number of hectares.

The issues appear to occur when plants lose their glyphosate tolerance during the intended safe application window, specifically between budding and 50 per cent first flower. While the plants have not died, they have exhibited adverse reactions to spraying, including pod abortion on the main stem, reduced branching, and diminished plant vigour.

Estimated yield losses for affected crops are currently between 60 per cent and 70 per cent. These losses, combined with expensive seed costs and dry conditions in the central grain belt, are expected to place financial strain on producers. WAFarmers is conducting a survey to determine the full extent of the problem and its cause.