BASF Launches First Australian Wheat Variety

BASF, which is already known in Australia for its work in canola breeding, has officially launched its first Australian wheat variety. Together with its commercial partner Seednet, BASF has stated that the wheat variety which has been named Ascot, will be available to growers for next year.

Developed at BASF’s wheat and oilseed breeding center at Longerenong in Victoria, Ascot was designed to grow in high-rainfall zones, and has Australian Premium White (APW) classification - however breeders are optimistic that further testing may give Ascot entrance into the Australian Hard (AH) bracket. Australian Grain and Forage (AGF) Seeds conducted trials on the variety in Victoria’s Central Highlands region, and it is expected that Ascot will also thrive in similar areas that are cold and wet, such as the southern slopes of New South Wales or the southeast region of South Australia. This is the first of many planned lines to come out of BASF’s center in Longerenong in the coming years, with expectations that a range of wheat varieties will be added to BASF’s hybrid canola lines. More on this story