Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 4223 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 196 — Summer 2016 NEW VARIETIES GIVE RICE GROWERS MORE FLEXIBILITY l  Two new rice varieties offer greater flexibility in rice farming sytems and rotations, and will fit well into double cropping programs. l  The new varieties have greater cold tolerance and the potential to be planted later than the current commercial varieties. l  Later recommended planting dates and drill sowing of the new varieties will reduce lodging and water use, respectively, without affecting grain quality or yield. l  The new varieties will be monitored under a range of growing conditions for the 2016–17 season, with the aim of providing more comprehensive growing guides for each variety before next season. New shorter season, cold tolerant rice varieties are changing the options for rice farming and making growing systems more flexible and water efficient. Gae Plunkett, Leah Garnett and Troy Mauger Rice Extension YRM70 and YRK5 will be assessed for both agronomic performance and market acceptance this season; and all going well, the new varieties will be named and released for the 2017–18 season. YRM70 is a semi-dwarf medium grain variety that has similar grain quality characteristics to ReiziqP but with improved cold tolerance that is similar to SherpaP with a shorter growth duration. YRK5 is a semi-dwarf ‘Japanese quality’ short grain variety that is similar in grain quality characteristics to Opus but with improved cold tolerance and a shorter growth duration. The new varieties have the potential to change cropping systems and rotations and will fit well into double cropping programs. They also offer water saving benefits, making rice more sustainable and able QUICK TAKE New rice varieties, including YRK5 pictured here, offer improved cold tolerance and shorter growing seasons than existing varieties.