Outlook Ag agronomists Greg Giblett (left), Quirindi, and Greg Rummery (right), Walgett, caught up with GRDC’s crop protection manager – north, Vicki Green, Felton.

IMPROVED seasonal conditions proved a major motivator for grain growers, agronomists and farm advisers to attend the 2021 Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Updates in northern New South Wales last week.

More than 150 participants joined the one-day event at Narrabri to hear the latest forecasts for disease and pest risks heading into winter, as well as agronomic advice for cereal and pulse crops and research advances in soil amelioration.

GRDC grower relations manager – north, Richard Holzknecht, said the event had been offered in a hybrid format, allowing attendees to either attend the traditional face-to-face presentations or register to have the event live-streamed into workplaces and farm offices.

“We offered the event in a hybrid format in response to COVID-19 concerns and we were really pleased with the uptake from industry,” Mr Holzknecht said.

“GRDC is committed to doing whatever we can to ensure growers and advisers have access to high quality, innovative research that answers the most pressing profitability and productivity questions from the paddock.

“This information and advice was particularly sought after this season as much of the region has benefited from reasonable rain ahead of winter crop planting.”

Narrabri GRDC Research Update Gallery:

Grain storage specialist Philip Burrill, from Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, caught up with northern NSW agronomist Brad Coleman at the Narrabri GRDC Grains Research Update.

John Cameron, Independent Consultants Australia Network, with researcher Mohammad Ali, from the University of Queensland’s Gatton campus.

Gabrielle Chaffey, Kaylx, Narrabri, compared notes at the Narrabri Update with David McRae, Yara Australia, Tamworth.

Agronomist Ardina Jackson, Imtrade Australia, Warialda, caught up with Roz Miller, Morella, Warialda, at the Narrabri GRDC Update.

Charles Sturt University researcher John Broster and CSIRO scientist Allan Peake enjoy a break at the northern NSW event.

Hayley Wilson, NSW DPI, Tamworth, with Meredith Herring, LongReach Plant Breeding, Narrabri.

NSW DPI researchers Rick Graham and Kristy Hobson both presented new research to growers and advisers at the GRDC Update.

Bruce Crosby, Intergrain, Moree, caught up with agronomist Alice Jorgensen, McGregor Gourlay, Inverell.

University of Sydney researchers’ Nicola Onus and Rebecca Thistlethwaite from Narrabri caught up with GRDC’s John Rochecouste at the northern NSW Update.

Duncan Woods, AMPS Commercial, Moree, with Marty Conroy-Jaeger, McGregor Gourlay, Warialda, at the Narrabri GRDC Grains Research Update.

Research papers delivered at the Narrabri event can be accessed here. Recordings from the Narrabri and Dalby Updates will also be available on the GRDC website’s past events page.

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