Western Australian grain growers can learn about the latest research and innovations relevant to their region at the upcoming GRDC Regional Grains Research Updates.

GRDC Senior Regional Manager Peter Bird says the regional events were focused on delivering relevant strategic and innovative information to growers and advisers in each location.

“Regional updates allow growers to access leading research information, so they can keep up with and adopt the changes to farming practices and technologies that are most relevant for their area,” he says.

Five region-specific events will be held in:

• Hyden, Tuesday, 26 July - Hyden Recreation Centre, 38 Marshall Street, Hyden
• Kojonup, Thursday, 28 July - Kojonup Memorial Town Hall, Albany Highway, Kojonup
• Dongara, Tuesday, 2 August - Irwin Recreation Centre, Ridley Street, Port Denison
• Moora, Tuesday, 16 August - Moora Town Hall, 32 Padbury Street, Moora
• Wickepin, Thursday, 18 August - Wickepin Community Centre, Campbell Street, Wickepin.

The Hyden update, hosted by Holt Rock Group, includes a panel discussion on managing high input costs, as well as presentations on frost management, re-engineering soils and spray technology.

In Kojonup, hosted by Southern Dirt, update presentations will cover carbon neutral farming, fertiliser strategies, weed and pest management and high rainfall crop management, as well as a keynote presentation from “Dr Food”, aka Professor David Hughes, who is visiting WA from the UK presenting on global food trends that will affect the grains industry in Western Australia.

Dongara’s research update, hosted by the Mingenew Irwin Group, will cover global food trends affecting the WA grains industry, strip and disc systems, long coleoptile wheat, crop nutrition strategies for 2023 and an AgTEch update from Ben White from the Kondinin Group on what’s around the corner.

Programs for the Moora and Wickepin updates, to be held in mid-August, will be released soon.

GRDC Grower Relations Manager – West, Jo Wheeler, says the update programs had been carefully planned to bring the latest, targeted research, development and extension to growers in each region, including a diverse line up of speakers across a range of disciplines.

“From the latest in long coleoptile trials underway in the Wheatbelt, through to frost management in the east and south and the highly relevant discussion on input costs, this updates series has something for everyone and is a must-attend for growers, advisers and grains industry professionals,” Ms Wheeler says.

“Many sessions feature findings from GRDC research investments, and presenters will deliver their findings as practical advice to give growers tools and strategies they can implement on-farm.”

GRDC regional updates are convened by Grain Industry Western Australia (GIWA) and hosted by local grower groups. These full-day events include lunch and morning and afternoon tea and will be followed by a networking sundowner.

Growers can learn more and register at GIWA's 2022 Research Update Events or GRDC Updates or by contacting convenor the Grain Industry Association of WA (GIWA), 08 6262 2128, researchupdates@giwa.org.au