UNDERSTANDING how artificial intelligence is helping to develop farming, advances in spray technology, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from farms are some of the key topics at an event for central Victorian grain growers next week. The Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC) Grains Research Update will be held at Bendigo on Tuesday and Wednesday, 25-26 February. Agronomist and carbon farmer Cam Nicholson will talk about on-farm GHG emissions and what growers need to know. Canadian Tom Wolf will share North American farming systems of nozzle selection and spray technology. CSIRO intelligent agricultural systems specialist Jonathan Richetti will explore how AI can help utilise farm data and drive grower profits. For in-person attendees there will be many networking opportunities, including a sundowner on Wednesday evening. Online participants will have a free livestream of presentations with the opportunity to submit questions during them. GRDC extension consultant Pru Cook said the event was a chance for Victorian growers to gain knowledge and experience and to develop networks. “It builds relationships that mean a grower or adviser can phone up a researcher in the future and have an in-depth chat about an issue they’re experiencing,” Ms Cook said. “This year’s event includes highly relevant presentations on blackleg fungicide resistance in canola crops and redefining optimum flowering times of wheat and barley for future climates.” The event will start at 9am Tuesday and finish at 4pm Wednesday and will be at Ulumbarra Theatre, Gaol Road, Bendigo. For further information, contact Matt McCarthy at admin@orm.com.au or phone (03) 5441 6176 Cost is $200 per person, $100 for growers.
