$21 Million Boost for Canola Farmers

A major investment by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will see over $20 million directed into canola research, aiming to improve yields, resilience, and profitability for Australian growers.

Dr Harsh Raman, Senior Principal Research Scientist at NSW DPIRD, is leading the charge across three new research projects focused on improving biomass-to-yield efficiency, developing acid soil tolerant varieties, and enhancing pod shatter resistance.

“While canola is Australia’s third most valuable crop, after wheat and barley, its introduction to Australian farming is still relatively recent, meaning there is significant potential for improvement and growth in the breeding science,” Dr Raman said.

The team is exploring how to improve how canola converts its growth into seed production—rather than investing too much in leaves, stems, and roots. Some varieties already show promise, but researchers are gathering more data to understand what traits matter most, especially in water-limited conditions.

"In recent years, breeding and farming practices have resulted in highly vigorous canola plants, but some canola varieties still struggle to convert that growth into seeds effectively, which limits both yield and profitability,” Dr Raman said.

The research brings together national and international expertise, with collaborators including WA DPIRD, the Australian Plant Phenomics Network (APPN), nodes at the Australian National University, Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry, and several Australian canola breeding companies.

The team will use drones, imaging, and advanced phenotyping tools to identify key genetic traits that increase harvest index and seed yield.

NSW DPIRD is also leading work on genetic solutions for acid soil tolerance. In February 2025, Dr Raman’s team identified a key gene linked to manganese toxicity resistance — an issue for growers managing high-acid soils. With $8 million in co-investment, phase two of this work will push forward the development of acid-tolerant canola varieties.

Another project, led by Dr Rosy Raman, is tackling pod shatter—responsible for up to 30% in yield losses. The aim is to develop a standardised method to measure pod shatter resistance across breeding programs.

“Pod shatter is a major challenge for canola growers, leading to annual yield losses of between 5 and 30 percent. Not only does this reduce crop profitability, but when canola seeds shatter and fall, they can become weeds for subsequent crops,” Dr Raman said. “This forces farmers to spend extra time and money on herbicides to control these weeds or risk damaging the quality of their next crop.”

“Our team is eager to build on our efforts and deliver meaningful, long-term outcomes for the farmers who depend on our work,” Dr Raman added.

For more information, visit: dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture