Increasingly volatile weather is predicted to impact southern New South Wales farming systems into the future, but what can grain growers and farm advisers do in response?

Leading climate and agricultural scientist Peter Hayman will offer answers to this complex question as one of the keynote speakers at the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Updates in Wagga Wagga later this month.

Dr Hayman is the Principal Scientist in Climate Applications with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and will discuss how growers can continue to adapt to lower rainfall and increasingly variable weather patterns.

He is one of several highly acclaimed experts speaking at the two-day GRDC Updates being held on February 18 and 19 at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.

International agricultural consultant Keith Norman, who has 35 years’ experience in the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Spain, Russia, Ukraine and Zambia, will also present at this year’s annual Wagga Wagga update. Mr Norman will offer insights into how his UK peers have managed restrictions and regulations around pesticides use.

Professor Tim Reeves from the University of Melbourne will explain how intensive cropping has exacerbated herbicide resistance and organic carbon depletion and share what is being revealed by the search for more sustainable and profitable farming systems.

Other presenters include Roberto Busi from the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) talking about new herbicides and tips to prolong their efficacy, and Steve Marcroft from Marcroft Grains Pathology discussing the latest strategies in canola disease control.

In conjunction with the GRDC updates in Wagga there will be a new free session for graduate and early career agronomists. An initiative of the GRDC the Emerging Agros Network sessions are designed to help agronomists develop their ‘soft skills’ in areas like negotiation, communication with difficult clients and conflict management.

At these sessions experienced agronomists will share their experiences and ‘what they wished they’d known’ starting out. The Wagga session will be held from 5.30-6.30pm on February 18 at The Deck at CSU. To find out more or RSVP go to GRDC Emerging Agros Network.

This year’s GRDC Updates program at Wagga also includes information on: the implications of continuing dry conditions on cereal disease management; the impact of cover crops; the long-term effects of grain crops versus hay; wheat and barley and how to pick a winner in a tough season; rapid post-event frost damage assessment; and oaten hay’s fit in southern NSW cropping systems.

GRDC Grower Relations Manager – North, Richard Holzknecht said Update topics were selected by local planning committees and included regionally relevant research information that was farm-ready and had the potential to bolster growers’ bottom lines.

“The GRDC invests in research on behalf of growers that is designed to deliver real gains to farm profitability and assist in overcoming constraints and positioning the industry well for the future,” Mr Holzknecht said.

“Communicating outcomes from this research, along with innovative developments in agricultural technology and topical issues like climate variability, is a critical part of our role and responsibility to growers, advisers and industry stakeholders.

“The Updates provide an ideal forum for learning, sharing ideas and networking, all of which help inform grain growers’ decision-making and improve on-farm profitability.”

The GRDC Grains Research Updates will be held across NSW at:

• Wagga Wagga – February 18 and 19 at Joyes Hall, Charles Sturt University
• Corowa – February 20 at Corowa RSL Club
• Dubbo – February 25 and 26 at Dubbo RSL
• Nyngan – February 27 at Nyngan RSL and Civic Club
• Barellan – March 10 at Barellan and District War Memorial Club
• Lake Cargelligo – March 11 at Lake Cargelligo Bowling Club
• Gulargambone – March 12 at 28 Bourbah Street
• Bellata – March 13 at Bellata War Memorial Hall.

Each GRDC Update has a regionally-tailored program that has been developed to reflect each area’s  needs and issues. Full program for each Update or to register.

Go to GRDC Emerging Agros Network session for more information or to register.

Contact Details

Contact

Toni Somes, GRDC
0436 622 645
Toni.somes@grdc.com.au