An entomologist based in Western Australia’s great southern region and a research agronomist leading work exploring long coleoptile wheat are the recipients of the 2025 Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) western region panel awards.

Svetlana Micic, an Albany-based entomologist with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and Kate Witham, a research agronomist with SLR Agriculture, were awarded the western Seed of Light and Emerging Leader awards respectively at the GRDC Grains Research Update in Perth today, Monday February 24.

The Seed of Light recognises the outstanding contribution, dedication and commitment of individuals to communicating research outcomes to people working in the grains industry.

In presenting the Seed of Light award, GRDC Western Panel Chair Gary Lang described Ms Micic as an excellent communicator of broadacre pest management research outcomes, who was highly respected by growers, agronomists and consultants.

“Svetlana has been an exceptional communicator of GRDC-invested project work around insect pest monitoring and surveillance and integrated pest management”, Mr Lang said.

Svetlana Micic has been at DPIRD since 2003 and is a highly experienced member of their entomology team. Photo: DPIRD

“WA’s south coast presents a challenging environment for grain growers when it comes to insect pests. In recent seasons alone, redlegged earth mite, conical snails, slugs and problematic emergent pests have all presented significant challenges in this region.

“The fact that WA growers have access to an insect specialist of Svetlana’s calibre in their region is an incredible asset and benefits the grains industry more broadly. Svetlana is a tireless worker and a very worthy winner of the GRDC 2025 Seed of Light – West award.”

Ms Micic has been at DPIRD since 2003 and is a highly experienced member of their entomology team. She has statewide responsibility for leading and delivering broadacre pest management research and development.

Her key project work includes management of redlegged earth mites resistant to synthetic pyrethroids, thresholds and control options for aphids of canola, better management of mollusc pests in broadacre cropping and extension of integrated control options for pests. Ms Micic is also actively involved in several collaborative national projects.

In receiving the award, Ms Micic said she was honoured to be recognised with the Seed of Light and humbled to be placed in the same category as the worthy recipients who have come before her.

“Working in entomology, especially in a role where I can have a real and lasting impact for Australian grain growers, has always been my key motivator,” Ms Micic said.

Ms Micic said her overall goal is to increase grain growing productivity by researching “those tricky insect pests and their naturally occurring predators”.

“It would be amazing if we could make better use of our natural predators to keep our pests below threshold levels.

“Natural predator pests are already there in our landscape, but they often don’t keep pace with our problematic pests. If we can get these natural predators working before pest explosions, it would minimise the need for chemical control.”

Also recognised with an award at the Perth Grains Research Update was research agronomist Kate Witham, who received the 2025 Emerging Leader – West award.

The Emerging Leader award recognises the commitment of a professional with less than 10 years’ experience working in the grains industry, who has contributed to the future of the industry and is emerging as a leader in their field of endeavour.

Kate Witham, research agronomist with SLR Agriculture, is the winner of the 2025 GRDC Emerging Leader – West award. Photo: Evan Collis/GRDC

Ms Witham grew up in the Esperance region, spending time on family farms and with family members involved with grower groups and research organisations. She identified a passion for broadacre cropping during her university studies, completing summer work during university breaks with previous Emerging Leader – West award recipient Jeremy Curry from DPIRD and joining SLR Agriculture after completing her studies.

Ms Witham, who accepted the award virtually due to current travel in the UK and Europe, expressed her thanks to her colleagues, and said she was lucky to work in such a close knit and innovative industry.

“I’m very honoured to receive this award,” Ms Witham said. “I would like to give a special thank you to Michael Lamond and the team at SLR who have been ever encouraging and a wealth of knowledge since I graduated university.

Kate Witham is known for her work as the WA lead for the GRDC national long coleoptile project led by CSIRO, among other achievements. Photo: Kate Witham

“I enjoy being at the face of emerging research and working with growers to improve their systems, as well as contributing to the improvement of broadacre sustainability and efficiency.

“Ultimately, I hope to help growers have more options up their sleeves when growing crops in our often-difficult WA environment.”

Mr Lang said Ms Witham’s achievements to date had exceeded expectations and that she had demonstrated tremendous personal development during the initial years of her career.

“Kate’s ability to confidently interact with growers, clients and fellow researchers ensures that she builds solid relationships with all involved,” Mr Lang said.

“Her most notable achievements are her involvement with the two-year GRDC invested scoping study for long coleoptile wheat, and more recently, as the WA lead for the GRDC national long coleoptile project led by CSIRO.

“The planning, field trial quality, data collection, analysis, reporting, delivery of milestones and extension have all been first class. Congratulations, Kate, on receiving the 2025 Emerging Leader – West award.”

The GRDC Grains Research Update – Perth concludes tomorrow (February 25) with the regional Updates series beginning in Cunderdin on March 11.