Every season hands growers a new puzzle, and while some things like the weather cannot be controlled, understanding the issues that can be managed is central to better decision-making and improved outcomes. No matter how long anyone has been involved in agriculture, an open mind and an inquisitive approach can open the door to new ways and new opportunities.
The GRDC Southern Research Updates embody this spirit. At the recent Adelaide event, 540 growers and service providers came together to share knowledge, exchange experience and explore the latest in best practice grain growing.
Amongst a diverse range of research insights from soil science to climate-smart farming and balancing input costs, one theme featured prominently: weed management.
A standout presentation was research conducted by Peter Boutsalis and colleagues from Adelaide University on herbicide resistance in annual ryegrass.
However, this research offers more than new insights into managing a difficult weed. It illustrates the critical role of knowledge in helping growers adapt, refine their systems, and stay ahead of emerging challenges.
The importance of this knowledge becomes clearer as you look to the other end of the grain supply chain. In dairy farming, a key domestic grain market, ryegrass can be a primary driver of profitability for dairy farm businesses, though in a very different way. The dairy industry invests heavily in research to maximise ryegrass growth as cheaply and reliably as possible.
As fast as one industry is looking to optimise ryegrass growth, another is looking for the best ways to suppress it! Both depend on good diagnostics, technical knowledge and practical skill. Both industries rely on each other as key markets. And both demonstrate that without ongoing research and knowledge transfer, the tools needed to manage complex farm systems simply wouldn’t exist.
While one man's meat is another man’s poison, the GRDC Insights highlighted how pivotal the generation and transfer of new knowledge is for supporting on farm practice, no matter the industry.
Sometimes the grass isn’t greener - and in the grains industry, that’s just how the growers like it.
To read more about the research presented at the GRDC Southern Grains Research Update, visit GRDC Grains Research Update – Adelaide 2026 - GRDC
Words by April Browne