Gavin Gibson, CEO, Pulse Australia 

Pulse Australia has released new visual quality charts to help pulse growers and their customers develop a more objective assessment of the quality of their crops. The charts cover the common quality problems associated with faba/broad beans, red lentils and Desi chickpeas. The charts are available from Pulse Australia. 

Contact: Gavin Gibson, CEO Pulse Australia, Email: email  Mob: 0413 735 787

Grain growers spending time behind the wheel this harvest can put those hours to even more productive use. The Grains Research and Development Corporation is about to release a new audio compact disc featuring a compilation of presentations on current industry issues and topics. Designed specifically for growers in the southern cropping zone, the GRDC Driving Agronomy 2010 CD comprises 15 tracks offering the latest research, development and extension information.

Australian dairy farmers are anticipated to become an increasing source of demand for feed grains. According to the dairy industry, however, grain producers will need to focus on specific quality characteristics to take advantage of this growing opportunity.

The search is on for innovative researchers and industry to partner with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) to deliver new grain varieties, improved farming practices, new farm products and information delivery to grain growers throughout Australia.

An independent economic analysis of GRDC investment in no-till farming research has found that the Corporation’s $4 million investment has returned $141 million in benefits to the grains industry – a benefit-cost ratio of 36 to one.

Queensland-based economic research agency Agtrans Research reviewed the GRDC investment in eight WA No-Till Farmers association’s research and extension programs over the nine years to 2008.

• Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area growers urged to attend GRDC Update at Griffith
• ‘Big picture’ topics include water buyback implications, CPRS impact, marketing
• Emerging insect pests, ‘bankless’ channels, disease issues to also be explored

Irrigated grain growers attending the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Update at Griffith on August 5 will gain insights into several ‘big picture’ issues affecting agriculture including global market trends and the implications of water buybacks.

At harvest, you are levied 0.99% of the value of grains you sell or use on a commercial
basis. This levy is used to fund research, development and extension aimed at
increasing the productivity and profitability of Australian grain growers, and to improve
the competitiveness and sustainability of the Australian grains industry.

The next round of GRDC grower updates are fast approaching. Click here for more information.

The latest developments in Precision Agriculture (PA) technology will be trialled sooner in Australia, if Gilgandra grain grower James Hassell achieves what he wants from his Nuffield scholarship.

He is about to head overseas on the second part of his scholarship, with plans to meet and build networks with researchers and manufacturers of PA equipment in North America and Europe.

Innovators have just four weeks left for their chance to win up to $50,000 to advance Australia’s grains and other rural industries.

Applications for the 2009 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry close on 3 July 2009 and are open to Australians aged 18 to 35 who work or study in rural industries.