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88 results found
  • Growers to lead change to hyper profitable crops
    Announcements, 29 May 2024
    Growers to lead change to hyper profitable crops

    Field Applied Research Australia (FAR Australia) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) have initiated a new project aimed at transforming the on-farm profitability of wheat and barley growers in Australia's high-rainfall zones. The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between current crop yields and potential profitability through improved management practices. By 2027, the project aims to equip growers with the necessary motivation, agronomic support, and knowledge to maximize yields and profits. Seven innovation and benchmarking hubs will be established in key high-rainfall areas including the south coast of Western Australia, south-eastern South Australia, southern Victoria, Tasmania, and southern New South Wales. These hubs will facilitate knowledge exchange, crop inspections, and discussions to help growers implement innovative agronomic practices.

  • Geneticists on the hunt for tastier, higher value narrow-leafed lupins
    Announcements, 10 May 2024
    Geneticists on the hunt for tastier, higher value narrow-leafed lupins

    The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has initiated two significant research projects with a combined investment of $7 million to advance the genetic development of narrow-leafed lupin (NLL), focusing on enhancing its nutritional quality and agronomic value. These projects are part of a collaboration involving the Western Crop Genetics Alliance (WCGA), Murdoch University, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) of Western Australia, CSIRO, and Australian Grain Technologies. Dr. Camilla Hill, GRDC's manager of genetic technologies - pulses, highlighted that Australia leads global lupin production, contributing 85% to the market, primarily exporting to Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. Given the growing global population and increasing interest in plant-based diets, these initiatives aim to tap into the expanding plant protein market by improving the nutritional profile of NLL, specifically by reducing its anti-nutritional seed alkaloid levels.

  • Farming systems project to inform decision-making for southern growers
    Announcements, 07 May 2024
    Farming systems project to inform decision-making for southern growers

    The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is investing $7.6 million, with an additional $6.1 million co-investment from the University of Adelaide, into a significant new farming systems project aimed at boosting the profitability and sustainability of grain growers in the southern regions of Australia. Over the next five years, this project will conduct extensive research across nine field sites in South Australia and Victoria, examining various soil types and rainfall conditions. Led by Dr. Matthew Knowling of the University of Adelaide, the multi-disciplinary team will employ biophysical modeling and economic evaluation to assess a broad spectrum of farming practices and their long-term impacts. The study will explore diverse cropping systems and performance metrics such as gross margins, soil health, organic carbon levels, input requirements, greenhouse gas emissions, and associated risks.

  • New catalogue unlocks potential of Australian grains research data
    Announcements, 30 Apr 2024
    New catalogue unlocks potential of Australian grains research data

    The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has launched the GRDC Data Catalogue, a pivotal new resource aimed at empowering Australian researchers by providing access to extensive grains research, development, and extension (RD&E) data. This public catalogue will expedite the discovery and utilization of data collected from GRDC investments spanning the last two decades, enhancing the development and deployment of new technologies and knowledge for grain growers. Dr. Jeff Cumpston, data analytics manager at GRDC, highlighted the launch as a key step in GRDC's ongoing efforts to maximize the value of RD&E data for the agricultural community. The catalogue not only facilitates current research needs by making vast data sets more accessible but also plans to expand data availability as more partners integrate their systems with this new platform. This initiative is expected to significantly advance agricultural research, fostering innovations that will benefit grain growers across Australia.

  • GRDC launches industry-driven research consortium to capitalise on growing global oat market
    Announcements, 18 Apr 2024
    GRDC launches industry-driven research consortium to capitalise on growing global oat market

    The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has launched the Oat Grain Quality Consortium (OGQC), a significant new research initiative aimed at reinforcing Australia's reputation as a top-quality, value-added oat producer. Announced by GRDC Managing Director Nigel Hart in Perth, the consortium represents a collaborative investment of over $12.5 million over five years, with $5.75 million from GRDC and an additional $6.7 million from research and industry partners. The consortium, led by InterGrain and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), includes a wide array of participants from academia, industry, and the food and beverage sectors, such as Curtin University, Murdoch University, and major companies like Oatly and Sanitarium. The initiative is set to capitalize on the growing global demand for nutritious oat-based products by enhancing oat quality through targeted pre-breeding research. This research will focus on developing industry-relevant quality traits and providing breeders with new germplasm and molecular tools to create oat varieties tailored to high-value market needs. The OGQC aims to deliver substantial benefits across the entire oat supply chain, from breeders to processors and manufacturers, ultimately positioning Australian oats as a preferred choice for consumers worldwide.

  • Call for AgTech solutions: Apply to innovate!
    Announcements, 11 Apr 2024
    Call for AgTech solutions: Apply to innovate!

    The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has teamed up with Cicada Innovations to kick off the Grains Challenge, a new initiative designed to foster technological advancements and innovative solutions within the grain industry. This collaboration aims to tackle the crucial challenges grain growers face, such as improving productivity, yield, cost-efficiency, and navigating market volatility. Recognizing Australia's esteemed position in global grains production, the program seeks to sustain and elevate this status through cutting-edge innovation. GRDC's investment in this and similar programs underscores its commitment to supporting groundbreaking technologies and business ideas, especially those emerging from unconventional sources like growers and entrepreneurs. Cicada Innovations, known for transforming startups into global leaders in deep tech, brings its extensive experience to the partnership.

  • DataHarvest to unlock Australian grains RD&E data potential
    Announcements, 29 Feb 2024
    DataHarvest to unlock Australian grains RD&E data potential

    The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has partnered with Curtin University to initiate DataHarvest, an innovative program designed to revolutionize the management of grains research, development, and extension (RD&E) data for the benefit of Australian grain growers. DataHarvest aims to significantly improve how RD&E data is collected, managed, and shared by upskilling over 80 GRDC research partners across Australia. This initiative will standardize data handling practices, ensuring that the vast reserves of RD&E data are more effectively utilized, fostering quicker knowledge transfer and spurring innovation within the grains industry. Dr. Washington Gapare, GRDC's research data manager, highlighted that DataHarvest will align data management with the FAIR principles, making it findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.

  • GRDC leads $42M initiative to bolster biosecurity for Australia’s grain grower
    Announcements, 26 Feb 2024
    GRDC leads $42M initiative to bolster biosecurity for Australia’s grain grower

    The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has unveiled a transformative $42.7 million National Grains Diagnostic and Surveillance Initiative (NGDSI), aiming to bolster Australia’s grains biosecurity system against exotic pests and diseases. Announced by GRDC Chair John Woods at the Grains Research Updates in Perth, this collaborative venture involves GRDC and five state government departments, including DPIRD in WA, SARDI in SA, DEECA in Victoria, NSW DPI, and QDAF in Queensland. Over six years, the initiative will employ advanced technology to enable rapid, near-paddock detection and accurate diagnosis of biosecurity threats, moving away from traditional centralized laboratory methods.

  • Start-ups invited to field-test future agtech
    Announcements, 23 Feb 2024
    Start-ups invited to field-test future agtech

    The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has launched a call for expressions of interest for the GroundUp Program, inviting startup founders and agtech innovators to bring forward their cutting-edge solutions aimed at enhancing productivity and practices in the Australian grain farming sector. This initiative, a collaborative effort with the Agtech and Logistics Hub, is designed to fast-track agtech innovation, aligning with GRDC's commitment to advancing the grains industry.

  • Seeking: Outstanding GRDC grains leader in WA
    Announcements, 19 Feb 2024
    Seeking: Outstanding GRDC grains leader in WA

    The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is on the lookout for a dynamic and dedicated leader from the Western Australian grains sector to chair its Western Regional Panel. This crucial role is at the forefront of connecting GRDC with the grains industry, significantly influencing research, development, and extension (RD&E) strategies to meet the specific needs of growers and the broader industry. With an investment of over $200 million in RD&E for the current financial year, GRDC emphasizes the need for a chair who is not only a passionate advocate for the grains industry but also possesses the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with stakeholders to guide RD&E initiatives. The role demands a broadminded and inquisitive individual committed to advancing the grains industry through strategic investments. The new chair will succeed Darrin Lee, who has served since 2018, starting from September 1, 2024, for an initial term of two years.

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