Output Group 4 - Communication & Capacity Building
FutureCrop presents a snapshot of arguments that define the debate on genetically modified (GM) products.
Through a range of communication activities, the Communication & Capacity Building output group positions the GRDC and its research partners as a credible source of technical and industry-specific information.The output group also supports initiatives to encourage and develop capacity in education, training and technology transfer for researchers and for the grains industry.
In consultation with the other output groups, Communication & Capacity Building also identifies opportunities for new publications and products that meet grains industry needs. Australian grain growers are a diverse audience, and their information needs and preferred delivery mechanisms vary. Accordingly, the output group packages and delivers timely and targeted information to satisfy the different demands. Recognising the role that research partners, government agencies and industry bodies play in influencing on-farm decision making, the output group also collaborates with these entities in a range of joint communication and delivery activities.
The GRDC has a range of successful strategies and tools targeted at providing information to growers. The 2008 GRDC Organisational Performance Research Survey has confirmed that there is a very high awareness of the GRDC among growers: almost all growers surveyed were aware of the GRDC.
Table 14 summarises the achievements of the Communication & Capacity Building output group against its performance measures for 2007–08 and its objectives and strategies for 2007–12. The following sections describe some of the results of the output group’s work during the year.
Prosperity through Innovation: Strategic R&D Plan 2007–12
On 11 July 2007 the Hon. Sussan Ley, MP, the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, launched Prosperity through Innovation, the GRDC’s Strategic R&D Plan 2007–12, at Parliament House in Canberra. A large number of growers, Australian Government representatives and GRDC Board members, regional panel members and staff attended the launch. The plan outlines the GRDC strategies for its four output groups over the next five years.
The Australian and international grains industries are going through a period of rapid change, which makes it critical to have clearly defined strategies and implementation plans in place to ensure that the outputs of grains R&D meet our stakeholders’ expectations.
In developing the plan the GRDC consulted widely with growers, the Australian Government and research partners. A strong emphasis was placed on the adoption of R&D outputs to ensure that growers remain competitive.
The plan outlines the critical success factors and key performance indicators for each of the strategies. The performance indicators, which detail the planned deliverables from the research programs, will be closely monitored to ensure that the programs are achieving their targets.
It is essential that R&D programs over the next five years develop and deliver technologies that will assist Australian growers to compete in the global grains industry.
Driving Agronomy
The latest edition of Driving Agronomy was released in early 2008 and distributed in Ground Cover. More than 43,000 growers received a copy of the audio CD, which includes the following topics:
- low-risk farming—meeting the challenges of 2008
- stored soil moisture
- disease management in pulse crops
- the role of seedling vigour
- new developments in soil inoculants
- biofuel challenges
- wheat streak mosaic virus
- the role of organic matter
- combating herbicide resistance.
Fact sheets
The fact sheets developed in 2007–08 and distributed at the 2008 GRDC Grains Research Updates for growers and advisers covered a range of current and emerging issues. For example:
- Exotic Pests, developed in conjunction with Plant Health Australia, outlines key exotic pests and levels of risk to the Australian grains industry. Photographs of each pest are\ included to assist with accurate pest identification.
- Rhizoctonia (Southern Region), developed in conjunction with research partners, outlines the biology of rhizoctonia, key factors controlling its occurrence and severity, various control strategies and the role of soil nitrogen in managing it.
- The PBR Agreement explains the Industry Standard PBR Licence Agreement and provides a template for use by owners of PBR (or their authorised agents) and grain growers.
The fact sheets are available online via the GRDC website.
Final reports go online
In 2007–08, rapid progress was made in the planned delivery of a web-based system for the uploading of GRDC final reports onto the GRDC website, for growers, researchers and other grains industry stakeholders, on completion of GRDC-funded projects.
A project workshop was held in January 2008 to refine the project deliverables. Further modifications will be made to the prototype before migration of content begins. At the end of 2007–08, the project was on track.
FutureCrop-biotechnology and the grains industry
In August 2007, at the Agriculture Australia conference held in Melbourne, the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon. Sussan Ley, MP, launched the GRDC publication FutureCrop.
FutureCrop provides a snapshot of arguments that define the debate on genetically modified (GM) products, and demonstrates that both GM and non-GM products will play an important role in ensuring that the Australian grains industry—and the rural communities that depend on it—remain viable. The aim of the booklet was to inform grain growers and industry about the debate surrounding the use of biotechnology to deliver higher value crops. FutureCrop was mailed to all grain growers in the September–October 2007 edition of the GRDC’s newspaper Ground Cover.
In order to raise media awareness of the booklet, the GRDC invited Dr Ken Street, a GRDC-supported Australian researcher based at the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Syria, to attend the launch and assist the GRDC to market the booklet and promote his own work. Ken presents as an ‘Indiana Jones’ type of character and his appearance and personality captured the media’s attention, resulting in media coverage which FutureCrop would not otherwise have received.
Ken collects ancestral species and ancient crop varieties from the Central Asia and Caucasus region to increase the gene pool available to Australian plant breeders. Seed collected by Ken and his colleagues has been introduced into many pulsebreeding lines using conventional plant-breeding techniques.
The communication campaign promoting the booklet’s release and Ken’s work was covered by more than 148 electronic and print media outlets. Substantial interest was also shown by the international media, with a television network from the United States flying a film crew to Syria to interview Ken. A documentary featuring his work, entitled The Seed Hunter, will be screened by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in October 2008. Irish, Swedish and French television networks and National Geographic Television International have also purchased the rights to the documentary.
Precision agriculture video CD
A precision agriculture (PA) CD was released in July 2007. The CD, developed in conjunction with the companies John Deere and CTF Solutions, included interviews with experts and growers adopting PA technology. Interviews covered issues associated with the use of the technology and its benefits. Copies were disseminated at key industry events in 2007–08 and are available from the GRDC on request.
2007 GRDC updates DVD
The 2007 series of talks from the GRDC Grains Research Update series and the Agribusiness Crop Update series in the Western Region were published on DVD in April 2008. The DVD format was introduced in 2006–07 to enable a greater number of presentations and a higher quality of information to be delivered to viewers. Interviews were taken from updates in all regions. The GRDC distributed copies of the DVD through adviser networks.
| C A S E S T U D Y : Putting precision agriculture into practice |
The GRDC, in partnership with the Southern Precision Agriculture Association, published PA in Practice, an 80-page booklet showcasing grain grower experiences of using variable rate technology and other precision agriculture (PA) technologies. These grower case studies were sourced from New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, and demonstrated the benefits of investing in PA technology. On average, the case study growers:
Ten of the case studies focused on how growers were using PA technology in relation to varying fertiliser, lime and gypsum. The remaining 14 case studies dealt with the economic implications of investing in PA. Together, they clearly demonstrated that using PA technology can bring to grain-growing businesses increases in productivity, profitability and environmental management. The booklet was popular with a number of machinery dealers, who purchased bulk quantities for distribution through their dealership networks. Of the 1,000 copies printed, over 500 copies have been distributed through the GRDC’s distribution outlet, Ground Cover Direct. |
Secondary schools program
The secondary schools program is part of a long-term effort to address the current and predicted skills shortages in many primary industries, particularly the grains industry.
The program, which has been running for four years, both in Tasmania with the University of Tasmania and in Western Australia with the University of Western Australia, had a number of successes in 2007–08.
They included:
- ongoing cooperation from local primary industries, which become involved in different aspects of the program from year to year
- high levels of participation among undergraduate students, post-graduate students, agricultural science lecturers and researchers, who take on responsibilities in different aspects of the program from year to year
- an increasing level of awareness among students and teachers of the importance of tertiary studies and careers in agricultural science
- significant attitudinal change among teachers and high-achieving students with respect to career pathways in science fields that underpin primary industries.
In 2007–08, the Primary Industry Centre for Science Education program was delivered by six universities in five states, each supported by their local industry partners.
During the year, 6,000 upper high school science students were presented with an illustrated talk about science in local industries; 130 students were selected for the Industry Placement Scholarship; and 170 science teachers were engaged in a range of professional development sessions with local scientists, researchers and industry staff.
Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture
Sam Trengrove, the GRDC-sponsored winner of the Science and Innovation Award is investigating the use of weed-sensing technology to minimise the cost of controlling ryegrass in broadacre crops. Photo: Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS)
The GRDC continued its sponsorship of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Awards for Young People in Agriculture.
In 2007–08, the GRDC-sponsored award was presented to Mr Sam Trengrove from Allan Mayfield Consulting, South Australia.
Sam was presented with the award for his work investigating the use of weed-sensing technology to control ryegrass in broadacre crops such as lentil and canola. Ryegrass costs the agricultural sector millions of dollars annually in herbicide application and lost production. With the risk of herbicide resistance, there is added incentive for farmers to control the amount of product being applied.
Sam used sensors that detect differences in plant growth, combined with global positioning system (GPS) technology, to identify and map areas of high and low ryegrass density. Variable rate spray technology was then used to apply heavier doses of herbicide on dense patches of ryegrass and lower doses across the remainder of the paddock. The technology enables grain growers to tailor control measures to site-specific requirements.
Historically, farmers confronted with variable ryegrass density across a paddock had two options: use a high-cost treatment across the entire paddock to achieve optimal control, or use a lower cost treatment and accept the yield losses associated with dense ryegrass patches. The use of weed sensing and variable rate spraying provides farmers with the best aspects of both options and allows them to gain the greatest return from their herbicide investment.
While ryegrass was the focus of his study, Sam believes there is potential to apply this technology to controlling other weeds, particularly those that are found in dense patches.
Building industry capacity
In 2007–08, the GRDC offered six different categories of training awards as well as travel and conference support. This included support for 36 travel awards, eight Industry Development Awards, 24 conferences and 39 training scholarships, including 16 Grains Industry Research Scholarships.
Grains Industry Research Scholarships were available to students of excellence proceeding to postgraduate study in a field relevant to the future of the Australian grains industry. The scholarships are for three years and comprise a tax-free stipend of $25,000 per year and $5,000 per year for project operating expenses.
National Youth Science Forum
The GRDC continued to encourage students to consider careers in agricultural science through the National Youth Science Forum, a two-week intensive program held at the Australian National University. Participants are selected following a rigorous selection process and must demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in a science- or engineering-related field.
Three hundred high school students took part in the forum in 2007–08. The forum introduced the students to researchers, encouraged them to achieve excellence in all their undertakings, and helped them to develop their communication and interpersonal skills.
Two GRDC staff members gave presentations about their own journeys through agricultural science and held informal discussions with each of the student groups during the program.
BHP Billiton Science Awards
Shaun Williams (left) receiving his GRDC-supported BHP Billiton Science Award from GRDC’s Corporate Services Manager, Gavin Whiteley. Photo: CSIRO
The BHP Billiton Science Awards, Australia’s most prestigious science awards, are supported by a partnership between BHP Billiton and the GRDC, the Australian Science Teachers Association, CSIRO and QANTAS. The BHP Billiton Science Awards reward students who have undertaken practical research projects which demonstrate innovative approaches and thorough scientific procedures. The awards also recognise teachers for their support of open-ended student investigations in science education.
In 2007–08, the GRDC-supported award was presented to Shaun Williams, from Keebra Park State High School, Queensland, for his project on Chlorella protothecoides as a carbon sink and biodiesel source.
Shaun studied the effects of carbon dioxide enriched atmospheres on the growth rate of Chlorella protothecoides, to find a biomass yield for the algae and to test the energy content of the oil derived compared to that of oils currently being used for biodiesel production. He concluded that it could make a sustainable fuel source and should be investigated further, especially in combination with holding ponds in sewage treatment.
Shaun’s winning paper entitled him to participate in a four-day educational science camp and presentation event in Melbourne and receive a cash prize. Shaun’s win entitles him to participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair that will be held in the United States in May 2009.
Shaun was also the overall winner of the Oceania region of the Qatar World Virtual Science and Engineering Fair.
CSIRO undergraduate summer school
The GRDC, in collaboration with the Australian Pastoral Research Trust, again sponsored the annual CSIRO Plant Industry Summer Studentship program designed to give tertiary undergraduate science students the opportunity to undertake their own ten-week research projects, giving them valuable experience in a scientific research setting. As part of the scholarship experience, the students presented their results at a special symposium in Canberra and submitted a written report summarising the outcomes of their research.
| C A S E S T U D Y : Nurturing leadership through Nuffield scholarships |
In 2007–08, the GRDC again funded three Australian Nuffield Farming Scholarships. The GRDC’s support of the scholarship program ensures the continued development of skill and leadership in people working in the grains industry. Through its farming scholars program, Nuffield Australia encourages Australian primary producers to adopt local and international best practice. This provides a significant boost to the grain-growing sector’s understanding of the international forces affecting the Australian grains industry and the need to adopt new technology and management practices to continue to maintain productivity growth. Other benefits include:
The 2007–08 recipients were:
|
| Table 14 Communication & Capacity Building overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Output Group 4-Communication & Capacity Building | ||
ObjectiveIncrease the awareness and capacity to optimise adoption of grains research outputs |
||
StrategiesEnsure planned, targeted, measured communication |
||
Investment budget for 2007–08$4.8 million |
||
Performance for 2007–08 |
||
| Performance indicators | Outputs | Achievements |
Increase (over established benchmarks) in national media coverage of research activities and outputs from the GRDC and its research partners |
The GRDC developed and distributed over 500 targeted media products to communicate research and achievement |
Independent media analysis showed that the volume of media coverage increased from 6,162 mentions in 2006–07 to 6,183 mentions in 2007–08. The Varieties output group had the leading story focus with 3,101 mentions in 2007–08 (up from 2,319 in 2006–07). The volume of coverage by region was variable:
Key GRDC messages were strongly communicated, with 225 (up from 113) specific mentions that ‘GRDC facilitates effective communication’ and 114 (up from 93) mentions that GRDC ‘invests in R&D to benefit stakeholders’. |
Demonstrated effective/innovative partnerships to deliver GRDC-related research outputs |
Identification of opportunities for the GRDC to work collaboratively with research partners, industry partners and governments to deliver information in ways that reduce duplication, better target stakeholders and are more cost effective A national audit and analysis of current grains research capacity, to determine its strengths and weaknesses and set the framework for a nationally coordinated research capacity strategy |
The release of the PA in Practice booklet involved a collaboration between the GRDC, the Southern Precision Agriculture Association, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the National Landcare Program, CSIRO and the South Australian Grains Industry Trust. The GRDC continued to work collaboratively with the rural R&D corporations and companies on a range of communication activities, including a joint ezine (online magazine), case studies and a media program. The GRDC used a pilot capacity audit and an audit of the Varieties output group to develop a draft GRDC capacity-building strategy. |
Grower and industry satisfaction that publications, products and services are timely, targeted and specific to customer needs |
Publications, products and services that increase awareness of the GRDC’s research outputs in the grains industry and wider community and reflect the needs of different target audiences A standardised reporting structure for research projects, developed and adopted to enhance their ability to deliver relevant information to identified customer segments A national communication framework to facilitate the delivery of research outputs to a wide audience, building on existing regional delivery channels by broadening the content to include articles with a national emphasis |
An information products and extension needs analysis was undertaken to measure the opinions of growers. Several qualitative and quantitative surveys and focus groups were held across the country. New information categories were integrated into GRDC project specification, progress and final reports to improve the GRDC’s ability to report outcomes back to industry. A draft communication strategy was developed to ensure a strategic, national approach to communication activities with a particular focus on key audiences, a strategic media program and targeted issues-based campaigns. |
Targeted communication strategies to assist growers to manage season-specific issues, such as rust outbreaks, as they arise |
As part of an End Point Royalty (EPR) communication strategy, the GRDC in collaboration with industry published a fact sheet explaining in plain English the various elements of plant breeder’s rights (PBR), including EPRs. The GRDC also facilitated the development of an Industry Standard PBR Licence Agreement. A national media program complemented these activities. |
|
An integrated program of education, training and technology transfer that will develop industry capacity, including a detailed study of the range, level, suitability, accreditation status and delivery mode of current programs |
The GRDC supported 36 travel awards, eight industry development awards, 24 conferences and 39 training scholarships, including 16 PhD scholarships. |
|
Adam Carroll, a GRDC-supported PhD student, is investigating how plants tolerate the stress of drought, salinity and extreme temperatures. Photo: Evan Collis