Welcome to the 2024 edition of the Winter crop variety sowing guide. This marks over a quarter of a century of being published annually by NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI). The aim of this guide is to help grain growers and their advisers make better cropping decisions and higher profits from winter crops.

Profit depends on choosing the most suitable variety for each paddock and sowing time, optimising tactical crop management to achieve the chosen variety’s water limited yield potential, and matching the end product of both variety choice and management to available markets. This guide is updated with new variety and technical information, based on the latest research and development results from both NSW DPI and industry programs, including National Variety Trial data for comparative grain yield and disease ratings.

Cropping decisions can also be influenced by the complexities of modern technology, fluctuating markets and the vagaries of seasonal conditions, notwithstanding the impact of climate change on weather patterns in more recent times. Rising costs of crop inputs puts heightened emphasis on making the best possible decisions for the farm business. These factors all contribute to the winter crop producer’s need for careful planning and management to optimise productivity and profitability beyond the current year.

Profitable winter crop growing demands a higher production per unit area at a lower cost per unit of production. This can be achieved by increasing grain yields through adopting new or improved technology, including variety choice and management options. The goal is not higher total production, but greater productivity from the resources invested in crop production, along with total sustainability of the farm business. Carefully consider the range of information contained in this guide, how it can be applied to your farm business, and consult your local agronomist or farm adviser for more specific advice.