When considering new varieties, requesting independent data is important

When considering new ways of approaching business, a form of data gathering ensues – a chat with neighbours, a trusted specialist or agronomist, or a scroll online.

The same applies when new cereal, pulse or oilseed varieties are being contemplated.

Marty Lovegrove, a director with Eyre Peninsula-based Cleve Rural, often gets
asked about new varieties.

An agronomist for about 20 years, Marty says he uses an all-encompassing approach to help his clients, which includes accessing National Variety Trials (NVT) data.

“We do small strip trials on growers’ properties. We like to try new varieties ourselves too and are constantly talking to breeders and seed companies about them,” Marty says.

“We aim to use a whole array of information to pick the winners. And this is where NVT data comes in.

“The NVT program gives us a larger-scope view of how a particular variety performs. That information, and the trials we do, helps us to pick varieties that fit best.”

“Growers look for information from a variety of sources when making decisions – considering independent trial results should be a key part of this process.” - Chris Willis, Elders

He says Cleve’s clients are always keen to try new things. “They are always adapting and changing. The NVT data helps give us confidence in what we are seeing. Equally, it helps us when a variety doesn’t perform like we were expecting it to. We can say, ‘well this is why we thought it would work here’ and know that our idea to give it a go was valid.”

With canola varieties changing frequently, Marty finds himself looking for NVT data. “Those varieties change every year and, even now, the varieties we were growing two years ago we are not growing now.

“So, we rely on the NVT to look for varieties that have been tested. This is where we find it very useful. It can be difficult, because of canola’s fast turnaround, to read up on new varieties and how they are performing.” - Marty Lovegrove, Cleve Rural

As head of Elders seed division, Chris Willis often gets questioned by agronomists and growers about new varieties. “That is, I’ve heard about this new wheat, what do you think? And do you know where I can source it from?”

Chris has been with Elders, one of Australia’s largest seed resellers, for about  20 years and with its seed division for  three-quarters of that time.

“I think looking for independent data is valuable,” Chris says. “It’s good to see a number of years’ worth of data before making big decisions.”

The NVT program was established in 2005 by GRDC and is solely managed and funded by GRDC on behalf of Australian grain growers. In 2025, NVT celebrates 20 years of empowering Australian grain growers and their advisers with trusted, independent results to support varietal decision-making.

More information: Brooke Bennett, brooke.bennett@grdc.com.au; National Variety Trials.