News & Media

Australian based field applied researcher, developer and extension provider is pleased to
announce the launch of a new GRDC investment which aims to transform on-farm profitability for
wheat and barley growers in the high rainfall zones of Australia.

Despite the efforts of previous research initiatives, a significant gap remains to exist between actual
crop yields and the profitability possibilities in these regions.

“The project builds on previous GRDC Hyper Yielding Crops investments which demonstrated higher
crop water use efficiency and yields were possible for the high-rainfall zone through informed
decisions on variety, sowing date, fertiliser and disease management,” said Ms Rebekah Starick,
GRDC grower relations manager – south.

“This continued investment in the high rainfall zone will put that knowledge into practice on-farm
for a wide range of growers, empowering them to become more profitable.”

Central to the Hyper Profitable Crops (HPC) initiative are seven innovation and benchmarking hubs
strategically located across key high rainfall zones, including the South Coast of Western Australia,
South-eastern South Australia, Southern Victoria, Tasmania, and Southern New South Wales. These
hubs will serve as vital centres for knowledge exchange, facilitated discussions, and hands-on crop
inspections, not only enabling growers to learn from each other, but to also explore and implement
innovative agronomic practices that will lead to increased profitability on farm.

“At FAR Australia, we are committed to empowering cereal farmers to maximise their on-farm
profitability whilst promoting sustainable agricultural practices,” said Nick Poole. FAR Australia’s
Managing Director.

“As part of this HPC initiative, 17 discussion groups will be developed across these HRZ regions.
Whilst this initiative aims to boost on farm profitability, it also aims to develop and build confidence
among Gen Y growers and advisors, who, within their regions, will help form the basis of ‘growers
leading change’.”

In addition to the discussion groups, through benchmarking on-farm paddock performance and
supporting smaller HPC specific trial programs, growers will also have the opportunity to fine-tune
their management practices, which will not only optimise crop yields, but will also lead to more
profitable outcomes in the future.

To assist with the on-farm benchmarking, FAR Australia has partnered with regional farming systems
groups who will provide project officers in their respective regions to work closely with these
farmers in obtaining input and operational data. This data will be costed generically per region in an
Agworld data platform, therefore there will be no requests for individual financial data from growers
who wish to take part.

The initiative also includes the development of a comprehensive high rainfall zone cropping manual,
providing growers with valuable insights and case studies to guide their future decision-making.

“Our goal is clear: by April 30, 2027, wheat and barley growers in high rainfall environments of
Australia will have the motivation, agronomic support, and knowledge required to implement
management practices that help close the yield gap whilst maximising profit,” added Nick Poole.

The Hyper Profitable Crops initiative represents a significant $2.27m investment in the future of the
Australian grains industry, paving the way for sustainable growth in wheat and barley crops. With
the collective efforts of growers and industry, this initiative will aim to unlock new levels of
sustainable practices and on-farm profitability.

Project Leader: Rachel Hamilton, FAR Australia (rachel.hamilton@faraustralia.com.au)
FAR Australia Technical team: Dr Ben Jones, Darcy Warren, Tom Price and Nick Poole

To become involved, please contact the HPC Project Officer in your region:

Farmlink
Caroline Keeton (caroline@farmlink.com.au)

Riverine Plains Inc
Kate Coffey (kate@riverineplains.org.au)

Southern Farming Systems
(VIC) Ashley Amourgis (aamourgis@sfs.org.au) or Greta Duff (gduff@sfs.org.au)
(TAS) Brett Davey (bdavey@sfs.org.au)

Mackillop Farm Management Group
Gina Kreeck (research@mackillopgroup.com.au)

South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA)
David Cook (david@sepwa.org.au)

Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Dan Fay (dan.fay@scfarmers.org.au)

FAR Australia has collaborated with the following organisations:
Southern Farming Systems, Stirlings to Coast Farmers, SEPWA, Mackillop Farm Management Group,
Riverine Plains Inc, Farmlink Research, Agworld, CeRDI.

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