WHEAT FOR FODDER AND GRAIN ON THE NORTHERN TABLELANDS OF NEW-SOUTH-WALES

Thirty varieties of wheat originating from Australia, UK, USA, Ukraine , and France were evaluated over 3 years as dual-purpose wheats for th e high rainfall environment of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wa les (mean annual rainfall 851 mm). Mean grain yields (1.9-4.3 t/ha) co mpared favourably with record yields in the traditional Australian whe atbelt, but were much poorer than average yields of 6.5 t/ha reported for UK crops. A 6-week delay in sowing time halved grain yield in 1983 ; cutting in spring reduced yield by 40% in 1986. Grazing during winte r did not significantly reduce yields. Results indicate that the devel opment of wheat varieties adapted to the higher rainfall tablelands an d suited to Australian marketing requirements might help to provide a useful alternative enterprise for tableland livestock producers.