Help shape how agronomists and the grains crop protection system can work better together

Are you a grain grower or broadacre agronomist? ABARES would like to hear from you.

The ABARES Social Sciences program is inviting grain growers and broadacre agronomists to take part in a one-hour interview (online or by phone) about managing pests, weeds and diseases in Australian grain production.

This is an opportunity to share your experiences, perspectives and insights, including on:

• What is working well, or not so well, in how the broader system supporting crop protection and biosecurity (i.e. research, policy and other available services) helps agronomists?
• How could researchers, industry and government better support agronomists in responding to pest, weed and disease threats?
• What would be practical and acceptable on-farm?

This research is part of a project that explores opportunities for Australia’s grains biosecurity system and agronomists to better support one another, while strengthening pest, weed and disease management, prevention and preparedness outcomes. ‘Biosecurity’ in this project covers all pests, weeds and diseases, recognising that separating existing threats from new or exotic ones can be limiting, and that considering them together can help achieve better outcomes.

Agronomists are at the frontline of detecting, managing and responding to crop threats, yet there has been little research on how to better support them or help them have an even greater impact. Understanding growers’ perspectives on their agronomists’ involvement in initiatives is essential for identifying new opportunities. By sharing your experiences as a grain grower or agronomist, you can help identify practical, on-ground improvements that will make a real difference.

Participation is voluntary. Interviews will be treated confidentially and findings will be reported in a way that does not identify participants.

The project is delivered through the National Grains Diagnostics and Surveillance Initiative (NGDSI) and is co-funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

Interested in participating? Contact [email protected] or Laura Butler on 02 6272 3263 to arrange an interview. For more information, visit the project website.