New South Wales (NSW) grain growers are being urged to investigate their choice of canola varieties before planting this year, to avoid any disease outbreaks which could devastate crops.

The warning comes from the NSW Farmers' Association following the release of a report which indicates that varieties containing the “sylvestris” gene, could now be very susceptible to both the blackleg disease and yield loss.

Chair of the Association's Grains Committee, Angus Macneil says that not all varieties are affected, but with recent rains having improved the chances of a better crop this year, the industry does not need an outbreak to occur.

"Many growers will be thinking about planting soon, so they need to do their homework on any seed purchased from distributors, private companies or even the” farmer saved seed” in their own silos.

“It is important that bodies such as the Canola Association of Australia, who produced the report, are proactive on issues such as this and must be congratulated for sending out an update on the situation.

"According to the Canola Association the sylvestris gene was incorporated into canola in the early 1990s and a series of very successful varieties were produced for the Australian market.

 “A survey in 2003 funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) indicated that severe outbreaks of Blackleg were observed at Canowindra in NSW, and parts of South Australia and Victoria," Mr Macneil concluded.