Future-focused, climate research will be one of the issues firmly in the spotlight at the upcoming 2020 GRDC Grains Research Update in Goondiwindi.

Research which suggests wheat yield gains caused by higher carbon dioxide levels may offset losses caused by rising temperatures and reduced rainfall will be presented by Agriculture Victoria senior scientist, Dr Glenn Fitzgerald, at the annual Updates event on March 3 and 4.

Measuring grain gains

Dr Fitzgerald's presentation is based on findings from a long-term study that tested grain production in atmospheric conditions that simulated elevated carbon dioxide environments.

It found that wheat yields increased - by an average of 25 per cent - in a semi-arid environment when carbon dioxide (CO2) was increased from present-day levels of about 400 parts per million to 550ppm (the projected rate in 30 years).

The Australian Grains Free Air CO2 Enrichment (AGFACE) Project was led by Dr Fitzgerald and involved Agriculture Victoria and the University of Melbourne.

"Carbon dioxide is one of the fundamental 'food sources' for plants. It affects everything about plant growth and development, as well as plant uptake of nitrogen, water and minerals - so it has a lot of ramifications," Dr Fitzgerald says.

He will explain the outcomes in more detail as the first speaker on day one of the Goondiwindi event.

Variable conditions

Also speaking on increasing climate variability at Goondiwindi will be Dr Steven Crimp, a climate applications scientist with the Climate Change Institute at the Australian National University.

Dr Crimp says changes in rainfall patterns were less certain, but the forecast was for a decline, which - coupled with projected warmer temperatures - was likely to increase evaporation.

"Combining, these factors with increasing climate variability will place a significant drag on crop yield despite some offset resulting from more efficient photosynthesis as a result of increased CO2 levels," Dr Crimp says.

Fostering talent

In conjunction with the Goondiwindi GRDC Update this year, a new - free - session will be held for graduate and early career agronomists.

An initiative of the GRDC, the 'Emerging Agros Network' session is designed to help agronomists develop their 'soft skills' in areas like negotiation, communication with difficult clients and conflict management.

At these sessions, experienced agronomists will share their experiences and 'what they wished they'd known' at the start of their working life.

The session will be held from 5.15-6.15pm on March 3 at Retreat on Rivergums, 37 River Gums Drive. For more information or to RSVP go to www.seedbedmedia.com.au/agronomists.

Also on the agenda

Other presenters at the Goondiwindi Update include:

• Gerard McMullen, McMullen Consulting, who will discuss maximum residue limits (MRL) in grain and the impact on domestic and international markets, along with potential trade issues;
• Dr Christopher Munnings, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Energy Technology, who will offer insights into new research that allows hydrogen from water to be used as an energy source and the role of ammonia in the process; and
• Mental health specialist Letitia Cross, from the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, who will explain tactics and advice for identifying and supporting stressed growers.

The two-day annual event in Goondiwindi includes more than 20 concurrent sessions on important issues impacting on grower profitability - ranging from crop agronomy, nutrition management and pest control through to drought, frost and soil constraints.

GRDC Grower Relations Manager - North, Richard Holzknecht says Update topics are selected by local planning committees and include regionally relevant, rigorously-tested research that is farm-ready and has the potential to bolster growers' bottom lines.

"The GRDC invests in research on behalf of growers that is designed to deliver real gains to farm profitability and assist in overcoming constraints and positioning the industry well for the future," Mr Holzknecht says.

"Communicating outcomes from this research, along with innovative developments in agricultural technology and topical issues like climate variability, is a critical part of our role and responsibility to growers, advisers and industry stakeholders.

"The Updates also provide a vital forum for learning, sharing ideas and networking - which helps inform grain growers' decision-making and improve on-farm profitability."

Other GRDC Grains Research Updates will be held in Queensland and northern New South Wales at:

• Goondiwindi - March 3 and 4 at Goondiwindi Community Centre;
• Mungindi - March 5 at Mungindi Hall; and
• Bellata - March 13 at Bellata War Memorial Hall.

Each GRDC Update has a regionally-tailored program that has been developed to reflect each area's needs and issues.

GRDC Research Code ICN1906-003SAX

More information (and for a full program for each Update or to register): https://grdc.com.au/events/list.