GRDC grower relations manager Susan McDonnell says the conference will offer grain growers and farm advisers a valuable opportunity to stay informed(Photo: GRDC)

April 1, 2019

The 2019 Australian Summer Grains Conference will be showcasing five grains: maize, soybeans, sorghum, sunflowers and mungbeans.

GRDC Grower Relations Manager – North, Susan McDonnell, said the conference offered summer grain growers, farm advisers and the broader grains community a valuable opportunity to stay informed.

The theme, “Enduring Farm Profitability”, reflected the grains industry’s on-going quest to improve productivity, product quality and profitability.

International and Australian speakers will address delegates on the latest innovations in grain production, crop protection and marketing, with topics covering farming practices, agronomic research and development, information technology, farm business management and advances in commodity marketing.

“The conference represents a valuable opportunity to communicate some of GRDC’s key summer crop research initiatives, particularly in agronomy, weeds, nutrition, diseases, soils, farming systems and pests,” Mrs McDonnell said.

“Some of Australia’s leading scientists, who are collaborating on GRDC research investments, will be presenting to growers, advisers and the broader grains community the research results that aim to help combat the most pressing challenges on-farm.”

The conference will be opened by guest speaker and futurist Paul Higgins.

Prof Higgins has a degree in Veterinary Science, a Bachelor of Animal Science (research) and a Masters’ degree in Strategic Foresight.

He will be sharing his thoughts on future disruptions to business models and how the grains industry should be thinking longer term.

Warren Davies, dubbed “the Unbreakable Farmer”, will be another guest speaker.

Mr Davies will share his journey of piecing his life back together after suffering mental health issues induced by farming and the lessons in resilience, persistence and determination he learned along the way.

The Australian Summer Grains Conference is being held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast from July 8-10.


 

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