GRDC grower relations manager – south Rebekah Starick said the new hyper-profitable crops investment aims to help wheat and barley growers in high-rainfall zones close the yield gap while maximising profit. Photo: GRDC

FIELD Applied Research Australia and the Grains Research and Development Corporation have launched a project to transform on-farm profitability for wheat and barley growers in the high-rainfall zones of Australia.

GRDC grower relations manager south Rebekah Starick said the project aims to close the gap between actual crop yields and the profitability possibilities in these zones.

“Our goal is that by 2027, wheat and barley growers in high-rainfall zones will have the motivation, agronomic support and knowledge required to implement management practices that help close the yield gap while maximising profit,” Ms Starick said.

“The project builds on previous GRDC investments into hyper-yielding crops that showed yield potential.

“This research will put that knowledge into practice on-farm for a wide range of growers, empowering them to become more profitable.”

Hubs to engage growers

To achieve this, seven innovation and benchmarking hubs will be strategically located across key high-rainfall zones including the south coast of Western Australia, south-eastern South Australia, southern Victoria, Tasmania, and southern New South Wales.

These hubs will serve as centres for knowledge exchange, facilitated discussions, and hands-on crop inspections, enabling growers to learn from each other, and to explore and implement innovative agronomic practices that will lead to increased profitability on farm.

FAR Australia communications and events manager Rachel Hamilton, who will lead the work, said the project team will bring together growers and advisors in these regions.

“At FAR Australia, we are committed to empowering cereal farmers to maximise their on-farm profitability while promoting sustainable agricultural practices,” Ms Hamilton said.

“As part of this hyper-profitable crops initiative, 17 discussion groups will be developed across these high-rainfall zone regions.

FAR Australia communications and events manager, Rachel Hamilton, will lead the project.

“While this initiative aims to boost on-farm profitability, it also aims to develop and build confidence among Gen Y growers and advisors, who, within their regions, will help form the basis of growers leading change.”

In addition to the discussion groups, through benchmarking on-farm paddock performance and supporting smaller specific hyper profitable crop trials, growers will also have the opportunity to fine-tune their management practices.

This will not only optimise crop yields but will also lead to more profitable outcomes in the future.

To assist with the on-farm benchmarking, FAR Australia has partnered with regional farming-systems groups who will provide project officers in their respective regions to work closely with these growers to obtain input and operational data.

The initiative also includes the development of a comprehensive high-rainfall zone cropping manual, providing growers with valuable insights and case studies to guide their future decision-making.

The hyper-profitable crops initiative represents a $2.27 million investment.

With the collective efforts of growers and industry, this initiative will aim to unlock new levels of sustainable practices and on-farm profitability.

Other collaborators include Agworld and The Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI) at Federation University Australia.

Source: GRDC