Australian Grain Technologies launches dual herbicide tolerant barley

Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) has introduced AGT-Bunyip IA, the first barley variety worldwide to carry tolerance to both imidazolinone herbicides and Aggressor herbicide. The dual tolerance allows farmers to manage residual herbicide carry-over from previous Clearfield or imidazolinone-tolerant crops while applying Aggressor in-crop to control brome and barley grass.

Field trials show AGT-Bunyip IA consistently outperforms Maximus CL, currently Australia’s most widely grown barley, across regions including Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. The variety is moderately compact, providing improved standability compared with taller varieties such as Titan AX, while maintaining similar maturity and growth characteristics to Maximus CL.

AGT-Bunyip IA has entered the Grains Australia malt accreditation program but will initially be delivered for feed use. Agronomic data indicate moderate lodging tolerance and a generally spring growth habit, with disease resistance ranging from susceptible to moderately resistant across leaf rust, powdery mildew, net blotch, scald, and barley yellow dwarf virus.

Seed is available through AGT affiliates and local retailers. Analysts note the dual herbicide package could influence variety adoption rates, particularly in regions where herbicide carry-over and tough grass weeds are ongoing challenges.