Research into yield improvements through disease management and the impact of extreme weather events on grain crops were just two of the projects featured when the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC) Southern Panel toured the Grains Innovation Park recently.
Dr Sze Flett, Agriculture Victoria Research Director, said staff showcased the new facilities and research projects to the GRDC Southern Panel during their spring tour.
“The Southern Panel is one of three regional panels that advise the GRDC on how best to support grain growing through investment in research.
“The site visit was an opportunity for panel members to see first-hand how their funding is being applied to solve many problems that affect profitability in agriculture now and into the future.”
Dr Flett said the Horsham SmartFarm is one of the largest phenotyping facilities for disease in Australia.
“Our research scientists Dr Joshua Fanning and Dr Hari Dadu spoke about the 18 diseases being screened in trials at the site and the irrigation infrastructure which were joint investments between the Victorian government and GRDC.
“Narelle Nancarrow provided an update on her research project which is evaluating the yield impacts of the aphid-borne Barley Yellow Dwarf virus in cereals.
“Narelle is a PhD student from the Centre for Agricultural Innovation as part of the partnership between the University of Melbourne and Agriculture Victoria,” she said.
Dr Flett said they also heard about the Free Air Temperature Extreme (FATE) experiments led by Dr Glenn Fitzgerald, which undertakes advanced research into the effects of extreme weather such as heatwaves and frost on grain crops and new lentil varieties.
The tour concluded with a walk-through of the Australian Grains Genebank (AGG) led by Research Leader Dr Sally Norton.
“The Southern Panel tour is a tremendous opportunity for GRDC to get up close to our research, joint investments between GRDC and the Victorian government, and to talk directly to scientists, students and the research teams,” Dr Flett said.
“The panel is made up of growers, agronomists and other agriculture extension experts so it was a mutually beneficial day; we learnt about their concerns in the paddock and at the farmgate which guides our research and makes sure we get practical outcomes for industry.”
