Queensland Grains Research - 2017-18 Regional Agronomy

Abstract

Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), through its recently released 'Queensland Agriculture and Food Research, Development and Extension 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan' remains strongly committed to grains research and development (R&D) and supporting grain growers to innovate within their businesses based on the results of the DAF R&D. Our three regional agronomy teams based in Goondiwindi, Toowoomba and Emerald, continue to undertake regional testing and validation of a broad range of contemporary grain production techniques and systems. Their purpose remains to provide growers and advisors with best practice guidance to apply to their farming enterprises and encourage innovation in response to climate change, climate variability and other sustainability issues.
This is the third edition of Queensland grains research and it continues to communicate many of the key questions, underlying methodology and findings of the research achieved by our agronomists. Awareness of the regional research being carried out, accessibility of results and acknowledgement of the researchers who are leading the research, are key communication objectives of this publication.
Regional validation of modern cropping technologies and farm management strategies to deliver optimum farm enterprise returns remains a strong focus. Exploring options that generate farm financial viability within the constraints of environmental stewardship, market requirements, resource sustainability and workplace health and safety challenge our regional agronomy team in their trial program each season. With an added overlay of scientific integrity in all the teams’ trial work and professional collaboration with other research teams both within Queensland and nationally across Australia, I am proud of the DAF team whose efforts have made this edition such a valuable resource to the grains industry.
We fully acknowledge and sincerely thank producers, advisers and agricultural supply chain businesses who have contributed to the success of these trials. This research is also co-funded by the GRDC, who ith their continuous investment cycle and significant corporate footprint within Queensland, help to provide valuable guidance on DAF's strategic investments in grains R&D.