Cultivating a passion for solving grains industry issues in the next generation of scientists is vital for building future capacity in the Australian grains industry.

Attracting talent is a competitive business, so training, nurturing and motivating the world’s best talent to participate in Australian grains research and development is key to delivering profitable solutions for Australian grain growers.

This requires investment in capacity and ability (C&A) across the entire research, development and extension (RD&E) pipeline, not only in foundational science disciplines but also in communication, extension and commercialisation across both public and private sectors.

To achieve this, GRDC invests in a range of approaches, guided by the Grains RD&E Capacity and Ability (C&A) Framework principles. This framework is one of four in the GRDC 2018–2023 RD&E Strategic Plan. Its aim is to ensure targeted and impactful investment by GRDC alignment with the following three strategic elements:

1. attract and nurture talent required to conduct and deliver world-class grains RD&E;
2. support leadership and pathways to innovate, translate and adopt; and
3. facilitate access to critical infrastructure and technologies required to deliver grains R&D.

GRDC undertakes C&A building through its broader portfolio of RD&E investments, as well as targeted activities in specific programs, partnerships or initiatives. The focus is not only on talented research scientists but also includes growers and others involved in ensuring on-farm impact through communication, extension and commercialisation.

Broader portfolio investments

While GRDC invests in targeted C&A activities to address specific needs or gaps, GRDC’s greatest contribution to building scientific C&A is arguably through investment in its broader portfolio of research projects and programs. Both PhD and postdoctoral study opportunities can be either linked or embedded within major GRDC investments addressing priority issues including long-term strategic partnerships.

These investments support access to leading scientists and cutting-edge facilities while working directly on priority constraints or opportunities to increase grower profit.

For example, in Western Australia, the Centre for Crop and Disease Management has a national role in reducing the impact of some of the major diseases in crop production. In Victoria, the Victorian Grains Innovation Partnership with Agriculture Victoria is centred around the world-leading research precinct in Horsham and programs of work aimed at increasing pulse profitability as well as bridging the profitability gap by taking a systems approach. In NSW, the Grains Agronomy and Pathology Partnership with the NSW Department of Primary Industries focuses on winter crop agronomy and pathology research.

Targeted investments

Some of GRDC’s targeted C&A investments include:

• development of primary and secondary teaching resources in partnership with other RDCs and the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia, as well as a school-based competition;
• sponsorship of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Hermitage Research Facility Schools Plant Science Competition;
• AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship to support undergraduate studies;
• CSIRO summer vacation scholarships; and
• GRDC research scholarships to support postgraduate studies.

The November-December  2021 GroundCover™ Supplement 'Grains research - the next generation' celebrates a selection of the young scientists, supported by GRDC, committed to delivering innovative research solutions to the challenges facing Australian grain growers.

More information: Craig Ruchs, craig.ruchs@grdc.com.au