New high protein lupin for WA

17/8/06
Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance said the development of a new high protein lupin could deliver dual benefits for Western Australia's lupin and fishery industries.
Mr Chance took the opportunity during Science Week to release the new lupin Coromup and recognise the extensive research and development by the Department of Agriculture and Food involved in breeding the variety.
He said Coromup was expected to open new niche markets and be in high demand as a feed lupin for aquaculture.
It would also be the best-suited variety for the potential development of lupins as a food ingredient for human consumption.
The average protein yield across the State for Coromup is 36.1 per cent, which is 2.4 per cent higher than Mandelup.
"Coromup is a narrow-leafed lupin bred by the Department of Agriculture and Food to suit WA conditions resistant to the fungal disease anthracnose," the Minister said.
"This exciting new variety has the highest protein content of all narrow-leafed lupins, with about three per cent higher protein than the existing leading variety, Mandelup, making it a better option for aquaculture feeds.
"Coromup is expected to be the most profitable variety for dehulling operators and is suitable for downstream processing, ultimately as a high protein source for the food or feed markets.
"It also has potential for regional value-adding, increasing opportunities for the establishment of dehulling plants."
Mr Chance said Coromup had better tolerance to the herbicide metribuzin than Tanjil and equal to Mandelup, allowing lupins to be retained in the cropping rotation with benefits for sustainable agriculture.
The Minister said Coromup was equally high-yielding as Tanjil across all zones but not as high as Mandelup. A premium for protein was expected to offset the yield differential.
"Its major benefit, of course, is its high protein feature that will enhance the viability of the WA lupin industry, and open up other markets that demand higher protein feeds," Mr Chance said.
He said that across large areas, profitable lupin production underpinned cereal production by adding nitrogen to the soil and reducing the need for nitrogen-based fertilisers.
Coromup was developed by the Department of Agriculture and Food with co-investment from the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Seed would be available from seed licensee Coorow Seeds.
The lupin-for-aquaculture feed research project commenced in 1993 as an initiative between the Department of Agriculture and Food and Challenger TAFE. The initial research was conducted at the Challenger TAFE facilities in Fremantle and is now being undertaken by the Department of Fisheries.
Minister's office - 9213 6700