Grains Science in Action

More than 120 people took the chance to discover the latest cutting edge science for the grains industry during a Grains Science in Action workshop at Longerenong in March 2010.

Fourteen Department of Primary Industries (DPI) researchers and adoption specialists outlined their latest research including methods and results at the day-long event.

Topics included drought-tolerant wheat, soil carbon, potential climate change impacts, high rainfall cropping and soil health.

Speakers also talked about adaptation to climate change, CropSafe disease management and pulse research and development.

Farmers not only heard about the latest research but also had access to scientists carrying out the research during smaller sessions at the event.

At the end of the day, farmers left with a clear picture of work being done to improve productivity and returns, both in the short and longer term.

It also provided a chance for DPI to learn more about industry views of priorities and issues.

With farmers, governments and industry partners spending millions of dollars in grains research and development, this event was a chance to showcase the many valuable returns being made on this investment.

Much of this work is also part of the Brumby Government‘s $205 million Future Farming Strategy which is helping farmers to improve the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of farm businesses.

Speakers at the Grains Science in Action included the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, Richard Bolt, and Managing Director of the Grains Research and Development Council, Peter Reading.

Keynote addresses included those from Dr. Carl Ramage who led the team that developed and field tested Australia’s first and largest field trial to assess GM wheat for drought tolerance, and Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Fiona Robertson, who leads the Victorian component of the national Soil Carbon Research program focusing on carbon and nutrient cycling.

Read about all speakers at the Grains Science in Action event.

Video highlights from Grains Science in Action

Video 1: National wheat Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) array

Dr Glenn Fitzgerald, Senior Research Scientist

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are expected to continue rising, affecting crop growth and production.  The Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) facility is helping researchers better understand the impacts of rising CO2 on crop production.

The technology creates environments where wheat response can be measured under elevated levels of atmospheric CO2.

The project covers agronomy, crop modeling, plant and crop physiology, soil science, crop pests and disease and crop trait evaluation.

Results to date have shown increases in wheat biomass and yields, lower grain protein contents, different responses to pests and diseases and different varietal responses.

It is hoped the work will provide knowledge about changes to wheat production, and field peas in future, due to elevated CO2 under a range of soil water and temperature conditions.

It will also highlight to growers the agronomy, physiology, pests and diseases and soils effects of elevated CO2 under a range of conditions allowing adaptation to changing cropping conditions.

For more information, email Glenn at glenn.fitzgerald@dpi.vic.gov.au 

Read the transcript.

Video 2: High Rainfall Zone Cropping 

Dr Penny Riffkin, Senior Research Agronomist

The High Rainfall Zone is a new and expanding environment for cropping, but studies indicate that crops in this zone are performing well below potential based on available sunlight, water and temperature.

Historical information from Australia and overseas, together with some of the newest breeding material from the UK and Europe is being used to find answers to improve profitability and adaptation of high rainfall croppers.

The Crop Design Tool is using historical climate and established physiological principles from high and lower rainfall cropping zones in Australia and overseas to identify crop characteristics suited specifically to the High Rainfall Zone of southern Australia and fast track breeding programs.

Not only does it have potential to design crops for new environments such as the high rainfall zones but also for changing environments as may occur under climate change.

Impacts of Management on Crop Yields and Profit: This work uses existing simulation models, 120 years of historical climate data and detailed site specific information to look at the probability of achieving an outcome from different management options.

Growers from Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia identified management options including time of sowing, N fertiliser, stubble management, opportunity cropping, irrigation and grazing of crops.

Data was collected for two years from on-farm case-study sites in these states and then applied to a model to produce information for a series of fact sheets which are now available on the Southern Farming System website. (Hyperlink Southern Farming System, and link to the website.)

Canola Breeding: Researchers are sourcing and assessing germplasm from other high rainfall regions from Australia, the UK and Europe for potential use in Victoria in the future.

For more information email Penny at penny.riffkin@dpi.vic.gov.au

Read the transcript.