BCG researchers Claire Browne and Sarah Ellis were among Australia’s top agronomists and agricultural scientists invited to speak at the 2012 Agronomy Conference held in Armadale from October 15-19.
The week-long biennial conference which is hosted by the Australian Society of Agronomy attracts agronomists, agricultural scientists and researchers from across the country.
This year the event featured special guest Dr Patrick Heffer from the International Fertiliser Association which is based in Paris, France.
Dr Heffer spoke about the rising global demand for fertiliser.
“By 2016 the world demand is expected to be 192.8 million tonne of fertiliser,” he said.
“In order to meet this demand, fertilisers will have to be used more efficiently.”
Other speakers at the conference covered a range of topics including feeding an increasing world population, technology adoption, climate change, decision support systems, nitrous oxide emissions and summer fallow management.
Among the many highlights was a round table discussion about the shortage of agricultural graduates entering the industry and the naming of former BCG researcher James Hunt as ‘Young Agronomist of the Year’.
BCG’s own Claire Browne presented the results from the break crops trial at Hopetoun, while new BCG recruit Sarah Ellis talked about her work on sprouting tolerance in wheat, conducted in Esperance with her previous employer, the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA).
During her well-received address, Claire said the project, which is part of GRDC’s water use efficiency initiative, was quantifying the many benefits of including a break crop in a Mallee cropping rotation. These benefits include increased soil nitrogen that can be used by subsequent cereal crops, and an opportunity to control weeds and include a disease break in the system.
The conference concluded with a session led by Barry Haskins (NSW DPI) and Dr. Peter Carberry (CSIRO) who summarised the advances that have taken place within the industry over the past 10-20 years. These included no-till farming, controlled traffic practices and summer fallow management.
Claire and Sarah agreed that it was good to think back and recall where we have come from and the many positives changes that have taken place.
The question was posed: ‘Where to from here in Australian Agronomy?’ From the ensuring discussion suggestions included: bio-technology in cereal breeding and new herbicide chemistry for advancements in integrated weed management strategies.
On her return to BCG Claire remarked on what a positive experience attending the conference was.
“It gave us the chance to hear new ideas that we can bring back to BCG and it also provided an opportunity to catch up with researchers who BCG works collaboratively with on projects.”
