A NEW project to introduce perennial wheat to local farms could put extra flexibility into mixed farming systems.
Research agronomist with Industry and Investment NSW, Richard Hayes, said field trials at Cowra had identified some imported lines of perennial wheat that had survived into a second year under irrigation.
"We are also trialling 60 lines on a local dryland farm and by the end of this three-year project we should have some solid results on which to base further research," Mr Hayes said.
Perennial wheat could potentially offer farmers increased flexibility where the crop can be grazed and then harvested.
"In lower rainfall areas, particularly in drought years, perennial cereals may allow farmers to vary their inputs, reduce costs and add flexibility," Mr Hayes said.
Future Farm Industries CRC research director, Mike Ewing, said perennial grain crops could take advantage of every drop of rain, increasing soil moisture use and reducing soil acidification, salinisation and erosion.
"It's a long-term project and if we have to breed varieties to suit Australian conditions we're talking at least 10 years," he said.
