James Clark, GRDC northern panel chair says the Goondiwindi event has established itself firmly as an annual fixture where advisers can hone their professional skills and knowledge.

“The region’s advisers learn from each other and are updated on GRDC-supported research directly from the scientists who are running trials, breeding varieties and addressing issues such as grain weeds, pests and diseases,” Mr Clark says.

“The main focus of GRDC Updates is new data on regionally topical issues.”

He says the GRDC investment of more than $25 million per year in northern region-specific research yields results that are scientifically valid and responsive to current issues.

“GRDC provides this opportunity for advisers to develop knowledge and skills that will boost the productivity and sustainability of northern region grain growers,” he says.

A key note session will be led by Mick Keogh, Australian Farming Institute director on emissions trading implication for farmers.

Farming systems researcher Ram Dalal will follow with an analysis of the energy budget of several northern cropping systems.

Nick Poole, Foundation for Arable Research, New Zealand and Rod Smith, University of Southern Queensland (USQ) will run a concurrent session on high yield grain crops and irrigated cereals including up-to-date local information and an international perspective.

Many growers trying to produce very high yield cereal crops in recent years have had issues that have limited yield to less than their expectations.

The solution to higher yields lies in better management of issues such as lodging, crop nutrition and canopy.

Mr Poole will also explore the potential use of crop sensors to better manage cereal nutrition and canopy in high yield crops, while Allan Peake, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and Brendan Griffiths, Griffiths Ag/Peracto, Goondiwindi will look at 2009 agronomic research on issues such as reducing lodging and optimising yield in irrigated cereals.

To register contact John Cameron or Emma Jones on 02 9482 4930 or updaten@tpg.com.au For more information, visit www.icanrural.com.au or www.grdc.com.au/updatedates.