mmg.com.au

Grain growers throughout north-central Victoria will soon converge on Elmore to explore the options available to them as they adapt to changing market, environmental and agronomic conditions.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Update for growers on Thursday, February 16, will feature a line-up of industry experts from across the country who will provide advice and support to growers preparing for this year’s cropping season and beyond.

GRDC Southern Regional Panel chair David Shannon said the program for the research update at Elmore Football Club had been specifically designed for local grain growers.

‘‘The GRDC and Update organisers have worked closely with a local planning committee to select the topics of most relevance to growers in the north-central region and to source the industry authorities to address these issues,’’ Mr Shannon said.

‘‘The day will begin with a presentation by Market Check grain economist Steve Powell on the factors affecting national and global grain markets. He will offer intelligence on what will be the key drivers for wheat, barley and canola in 2012, setting the scene for the remainder of the update.

‘‘There will be particular interest in the outlook for canola this year as it was a popular crop choice in 2011 and performed well for growers in the local region.

‘‘With wheat prices not as buoyant, we are likely to see an increased planting of canola in 2012 so the update will feature a number of discussions about the oilseed crop.’’