GRDC Grains Research and Development : A world of grains research insights offered at Rupanyup

GRDC Southern Regional Panel member John Bennett, of Lawloit, says the Update at Rupanyup is a 'not-to-be-missed event' for the region's grains industry.

A grains research forum in Rupanyup next month will feature a line-up of speakers from across Australia and the globe.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Update on February 23 at the Rupanyup Community Club is expected to attract growers and their advisers from throughout the Wimmera and Mallee.

GRDC Southern Regional Panel member John Bennett, of Lawloit, says the Update, which begins at 9am and is supported by BCG, is a 'not-to-be-missed event' for the region's grains industry.

'The GRDC is bringing to Rupanyup, from around the world, some of the most authoritative and respected people in their particular fields of research,' Mr Bennett says.

'To have these researchers come together to speak on topics of great relevance to cropping in this region is an opportunity that should not be overlooked.'

Among the experts addressing the Update will be Lise Nistrup Jorgensen from Aarhus University in Denmark who will discuss the strategies used by the European agricultural industry to manage fungicide resistance and how these can be applied to curtail development of resistance within Australian farming systems.

Adding further international flavor to the Update will be Frank Peairs, Professor of Entomology in the Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management at Colorado State University in the United States, who will detail the latest Russian wheat aphid (RWA) understandings and lessons to come out of the US where RWA is an established cropping pest.

Peter Newman, who is the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative communications team leader based at the University of Western Australia, will bring attendees up to date on the 'war on herbicide resistance', focusing on non-herbicide approaches and promising new tactics being uncovered by research.

Rohan Brill from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries will look at the latest research into how growers can strive for optimum canola yield in the season ahead, while Horsham-based Rob Norton from the International Plant Nutrition Institute will review nitrogen efficiency during last year's wet growing season and discuss implications for crop nutrition in 2017.

Following lunch, the GRDC has organised a special question and answer session with Frank Peairs and other experts, including cesar entomologist Paul Umina, to enable local growers and advisers to further explore the hot topic of RWA management.

The interactive session will be an opportunity to share observations and experiences from 2016 when industry dealt with RWA for the first time, and to discuss the likely implications of those learnings and findings from recent research trials - including the comparative efficacy of foliar-applied insecticides - for future management of RWA in the region.

Since its detection in May last year, RWA quickly became relatively widespread across South Australian and Victorian grain-growing areas. It has also been detected in southern New South Wales and more recently Tasmania.

For a detailed program and to register for the event please visit the GRDC Update Dates page or phone ORM on 03 5441 6176 or email [e-mail].

John Bennett, GRDC Southern Panel

0429 919223

Matt McCarthy, ORM

[phone]

Contact

Sharon Watt, Porter Novelli

0409 675100

Region South