Esperance port zone growers and grains industry stakeholders will gather in Esperance in August to hear experts present the latest research and development outcomes that can be used to guide on-farm decision making.

GRDC is holding a regional Grains Research Update at the Esperance Civic Centre on Friday, 6 August.

GRDC grower relations manager – west, Jo Wheeler, said Update presentations would be tailored to address key issues relevant to growers in the port zone, and help inform their tactical decisions for 2021 and beyond.

“Just as the production issues that growers face are constantly evolving, research and development (R&D) is responding to these issues each year, and new R&D results can help to build the long-term profitability of grain producing enterprises,” Ms Wheeler said.

“The Grains Research Update, Esperance Zone, will give local growers the opportunity to find out about key R&D outcomes that are relevant to them.

“Many of these results have been generated from investments made by GRDC on behalf of growers.”

Precision agriculture will be one of the topics in focus, with growers sharing their practical, on-farm experiences.

Soils will also come under the spotlight when a panel of Department of Agriculture and Food (DPIRD) researchers discuss soil amelioration impacts and things to watch out for in the following crop year.

David Bowran, of Yaruna Research, will talk about carbon farming – ‘what grain growers need to know now and what don’t we know’.

Nick Poole from Field Applied Research (FAR) Australia, and other experts, will address ‘achieving big yields – production systems and nitrogen strategies for wheat, barley and canola in the high rainfall zone’.

The Grains Research Update, Esperance Zone, will be held from 9am to 5pm (registrations open from 8.15am), with catering provided. The event will be followed by a networking sundowner.

More information: to register, contact Grain Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA) on 08 6262 2128, researchupdates@giwa.org.au.