MEDIA  RELEASE        

 

14  July  2016    PULSES LOOK LIKE TAKING HOME GOLD IN 2016

It  is  only  fitting  that  the  2016  Olympics  is  sharing  the  stage  with  the  United  Nations  declared  International  Year  of  Pulses.    In  Australia,  pulses  are  certainly  taking  home  the  gold  medal,  as  half  way  through  planned  activities  to  promote  and  celebrate  pulses  on  a  global  scale,  Australia  is  poised  for  a  record  breaking  year  in  pulse  production  and  export.  

“Value  for  the  2016/2017  season  could  achieve  over  $2  billion.  This  signifies  just  how  far  the  industry  has  come  in  a  relatively  short  time,  for  example  just  a  little  over  10  years  ago  Australia's  pulse  exports  were  only  worth  around  $420  million,”  reports  Pulse  Australia  Chair,  Peter  Wilson.  

“This  year  it  has  been  a  near  perfect  start  to  the  growing  season  for  pulse  crops  across  all  regions.  It  is  estimated  that  there  will  be  around  2  million  hectares  sown  to  pulses  with  desi  chickpeas  being  the  country's  largest  sown  pulse  crop,  followed  by  sweet  lupin  (narrow  leaf),  lentils,  faba  beans,  field  peas  and  kabuli  chickpeas.”  

This  positive  outlook  isn’t  the  end  of  promotion  of  pulses  however.    The  International  Year  of  the  Pulse  Australian  National  Committee  continues  to  look  forward,  working  closely  with  industry  for  the  remainder  of  2016  and  beyond,  in  order  to  capitalise  on  the  awareness  the  International  Year  of  the  Pulse    has  brought  to  Australian  pulses.  Right  across  the  value  chain,  from  the  pulse  producers  through  to  the  traders  and  consumers,  there  is  excitement  about  the  opportunities  for  the  Australian  pulse  industry  well  into  the  future.  

With  the  Australian  Grains  Industry  Conference  later  this  month,  the  global  International  Year  of  the  Pulse-­‐endorsed  Australian  Pulse  Conference  planned  in  September,  new  pulse  products  on  the  market  and  many  more  shows,  field  days  and  events  across  the  nation,  the  importance  of  pulse  production  in  Australia  and  the  health  benefits  of  pulses  for  consumers  continues  to  headline  media.    

Joining  the  many  voices  supporting  promotion  of  the  pulse  industry  is  the  International  Year  of  the  Pulse  ‘These  are  my  Pulses’  grower  competition  winner,  Robert  Alderman  from  Western  Australia.    Calls  were  made  for  pictures  showcasing  the  2015  pulse  season  earlier  in  the  year  and  Robert  won  a  $500  voucher  for  his  photo  of  Brady  Green  with  his  Mandelup  lupins,  growing  in  yellow  sandplain  in  Nabawa,  Western  Australia.  

“2015  was  a  fantastic  year  for  early  planted  lupins  with  yields  exceeding  that  of  wheat  in  some  places,”  said  Mr  Alderman.    “2016  will  be  an  interesting  season  for  lupins,  they  play  a  very  valuable  role  in  northern  wheat  belt  crop  rotations,  providing  nitrogen  fixation  and  a  disease  break.    The  International  Year  of  Pulses  should  bring  greater  awareness  of  the  integral  role  pulses  play  in  most  farming  systems,  and  of  their  eating  quality  and  health  benefits.”  

The  International  Year  of  the  Pulse  National  Committee  is  currently  encouraging  groups  who  have  or  are  planning  to  promote  the  pulse  industry  in  some  way,  to  register  their  activity  via  the  website  www.glnc.org.au/iyp.  With  such  a  successful  six  months  already  completed  and  so  much  still  to  come,  capturing  what  is  happening  at  grass  roots  will  be  a  great  way  to  ensure  that  our  gold  medal  run  here  in  Australia  is  promoted  around  the  world.  

The  Australian  IYP  National  Committee  would  also  like  to  thank  Principal  Industry  Partner  Blue  Ribbon  &  Foods  from  the  Earth  and  Supporting  Partner  Bean  Growers  Australia  for  their  continued  support  of  Australian  activities  in  2016.    

                   

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<END>      Further  information  on  Australian  IYP  activities  can  be  found  at  www.glnc.org/iyp.    Media  are  encouraged  to  contact  the  IYP  Project  Coordinator,  Rebecca  Freeman,  on  0414  844  425  for  more  information.        

   IYP  “These  are  My  Pulses”  winning  entry,  submitted  by  

Robert  Alderman  from  WA:  Brady  Green  with  his  Mandelup  lupins,  growing  in  yellow  

sandplain  in  Nabawa  WA  

Robert  Alderman  from  WA  standing  in  a  2015  2.5t/ha  lupin  crop  in  the  WA  cropping  belt