Former Great Southern grain grower and livestock producer Terry Enright has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Australian grains industry, receiving the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Seed of Gold award.

Mr Enright, who is chair of Grains Australia Limited, was presented with the award by GRDC chair John Woods at the Grains Research Update – in Perth today.

The Seed of Gold recognises the outstanding contribution, dedication and commitment of individuals to the Australian grains industry.

Terry Enright is the seventh person to receive the coveted GRDC Seed of Gold Award, recognising the contribution of a lifetime’s work to the grains industry. Photo: Grains Australia

Mr Woods said that in addition to conducting a successful farming enterprise, Mr Enright had dedicated more than 40 years to the direction and management of agricultural research, including as chair of GRDC, the Australian Livestock Export Corporation (LiveCorp), Grains Australia and the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC).

“We would be hard placed to find a more deserving recipient for GRDC’s most prestigious award than Terry,” Mr Woods said.

“His contribution and commitment to both the West Australian and national grains industry over more than four decades has been extraordinary, and his work has undisputedly changed our sector for the better.

“He has been an outstanding leader across a range of influential agricultural entities, including GRDC, and yet he has been, and continues to be, a man of the people: humble, hardworking and tirelessly dedicated to our sector.”

After almost half a century as a grain and livestock producer in Mount Barker, Mr Enright retired from farming in 2018 and now resides in Geraldton, maintaining several agricultural related roles.

Mr Enright's connection with GRDC extends back to some of the organisation’s earliest years. He was appointed to the first Western Panel in 1993 and became panel chair in 1996, GRDC deputy chair in 1999 and chair from 2002-2007.

During his time as GRDC chair Mr Enright stewarded a reorganisation of Australia's wheat-breeding efforts, strengthening its national and commercial focus. He was influential in advocating and developing this new focus, initially for wheat and subsequently for barley and pulse breeding.

As chair of Albany Port Authority from 1993 to 2003, Mr Enright presided over the $15 million port expansion to accommodate the expanding grain and wood-chip industries of the Great Southern.

In 2008, Mr Enright became the first grower to be awarded an Honorary Doctorateof “Science in Agriculture” from The University of Western Australia.

He has also held roles as chair of Wheat Quality Australia, the Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council, LiveCorp andAEGIC, commissioner of the Export Wheat Commission, as well as board roles for Grain Producers Australia and the Crawford Fund. Mr Enright is currently chair of Grains Australia.

Mr Enright said that working with a cross section of high-calibre grains researchers and leaders over many years was among the highlights of his career.

“I have worked with an incredible number of people over the years including researchers, board and panel members,” Mr Enright said.

“One person can only do so much, and it’s through the collaborative efforts of many individuals in the grains industry that we’ve achieved such significant gains.”

Mr Enright’s drive to be involved in grains research surfaced during the early days of his farming enterprise.

“We were developing a new land block at the time, and I saw the value of research and what it could deliver in terms of new crops,agronomy and pest management,” he said.

“Back then, canola was unknown, but the introduction of rapeseed was new to Australia. Now, canola is WA’s second biggest crop. There has been a lot of industry work go into making that happen, but efforts in the research space have been a key driver.”

Gains in crop breeding, across all grains, including the transition to commercial breeding, are among other notable achievements in which Mr Enright played a role, as GRDC directed research investment in these areas.

“It has been a privilege to have been involved with GRDC from the beginning and been part of its development into the most influential research investment vehicle in the grains industry, with increasing investment across the supply chain to deliver value to growers and the wider community.”

Mr Enright is the seventh person to receive the coveted GRDC Seed of Gold Award, recognising the contribution of a lifetime’s work to the grains industry.