Research into wheat species diversification has received a major boost after the signing of an equity investment in HRZ Wheats Pty Ltd by one of the nation’s leading agricultural disease and pest control companies, Dow AgroSciences Australia Ltd.

 

Established in 2003 specifically to develop hardy, high-rainfall-zone (HRZ) wheat varieties, HRZ Wheats’ other equity partners are: CSIRO, New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research, Landmark Operations Limited and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

 

“The Dow AgroSciences investment ensures that HRZ Wheats will continue to provide Australian growers with high yielding, milling quality, disease resistant wheat varieties to meet the challenges of the high rainfall zone,” said CSIRO Plant Industry Chief, Dr Jeremy Burdon, who is a Director on the HRZ Wheats Board. 

 

Dr Burdon said the investment would benefit breeders and growers worldwide. Also, Landmark, through Seednet and its partners, will be responsible for seed production and commercialisation of new varieties produced by HRZ Wheats in Australia.