Fall armyworm (FAW), nitrogen, and sugar industry grain legume rotations are just a few of the topics planned to be discussed at Grains Research Update sessions in north (NQ) and far north Queensland (FNQ) this month.

GRDC will head north for two events, Burdekin (November 26) and Atherton (November 27), bringing together leading researchers and grains industry personnel to share the latest research to inform growers’ on-farm decision making.

GRDC Senior Regional Manager Bec Raymond said the Grains Research Updates equip growers, agronomists and other industry personnel with the most up to date, farm-ready information and guidance relevant to regional farming practices.

“Agendas for the Burdekin and Atherton Updates were developed with input from local growers and agronomists to showcase the latest research relevant to regional needs,” she said.

“With nitrogen being the greatest single input cost for most growers, it’s critical that it is applied in a way and at a time so that its impact on crop yield is optimised. That means minimising losses.”

University of Queensland Chair of Tropical Agronomy Michael Bell will share his expertise on the topic at both sessions. He has led key projects across tropical and sub-tropical environments and is currently leading a new GRDC national research project focused on optimising nitrogen use efficiency to better understand and minimise nitrogen losses.

Professor Bell will cover strategies to manage nitrogen losses in the wet and dry tropics, including how organic and fertiliser sources of nitrogen compare; the extent to which urease inhibitors and other types of ‘stabilised fertilisers’ can help reduce nitrogen losses, and how the timing and method of application can affect the risk of loss in tropical environments.

Another shared topic for both the NQ and FNQ events will be FAW. Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Senior Entomologist Melina Miles will share her knowledge on the implications of FAW for maize and grain sorghum at both events, discussing options for the tropics and providing management guidance for the 2024-2025 season.

This presentation will be complemented by a discussion session that taps into the local expertise of advisers (Shantelle Arratta at Burdekin and Maurilio Rezende at Atherton) on how this information impacts their clients.

University of Adelaide researchers will also be in attendance to gain insight from local growers for the national soybean breeding program (an investment focused on improved varieties for existing soybean growing regions in Queensland and New South Wales).

The event agendas will also cover the latest research and developments relevant to the wet and dry tropics on pulse rotations, mungbean agronomy, addressing soil constraints and weed management.

The GRDC Research Updates will be held at the following dates and locations:

• Burdekin: Tuesday 26 November 2024 – Ayr Showgrounds
• Atherton: Wednesday 27 November 2024 – Atherton Hotel

Register to attend via upcoming GRDC events.