The field day was held at the Yanco Agricultural Institute and included presentations by those responsible for the trial from Industry and Investment NSW (I&I NSW) project leader Andrew Milgate, technical officer Aaron Hutchinson and industry leader in rice farming systems John Lacy.

The trial was funded by the Grains Research and Development Council, Bio First, I&I NSW and the Irrigated Cropping Forum.

The aim of the research was to assess the yield potential of a large range of genetic material, including both new and old varieties and to identify useful material that can be used in breeding programs to improve the yields of irrigated cereal crops.

This is the third year of trials at Yanco, Griffith, Coleambally, Hillston, Deniliquin and Kerang in Victoria.

Mr Lacy said the Yanco site was a unique one.

"I thought the field day in Yanco was a really good one," he said.

"People came from a wide area to see the results of the trial and to gather as much information as they could.

"I think the farmers were very interested in the performance of the different varieties."

This project at the Yanco Agricultural Institute was the first of its sort and provides an insight into just how much yield is contributed by irrigation, and the water use efficiency of different varieties.

The varieties in these trials are only being assessed for yield.

Other characteristics such as disease resistance, frost tolerance, acid soil tolerance and grain quality are determined in separate breeding programs and these traits are then combined with yield by commercial plant breeders to create varieties that are suitable for different environments and management conditions.

Mr Lacy said the trial provided some valuable information.

"At the end of the day we wanted to work out what the most profitable variety was," he said.

"The field day was something we haven't done before and it was a valuable day for the farmers who attended.

"We have had some really good feedback since we held the field day, with many amazed at the size of the trial and its success."