NORTHERN croppers are rejoicing following the announcement of a jointly funded $11 million grain research facility south-west of Toowoomba.
Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce made the announcement for funding for the 740 hectare station this week.
The station will be jointly funded by the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Queensland Government.
The farming property will be developed into a grains applied research, development and extension (RD&E) facility, which will be operated by the trust on behalf of Australia grain growers.
Mr Joyce said the centre would be important in ensuring Australia remained competitive in the grains space.
“Australia has world-class grain growers, but what this facility will do is focus on issues like new technology, crop genetics and weed control, to boost growers’ farmgate profits and bolster our competitiveness globally,” he said.
The facility will look at all types of crops.
“The location of the research facility will allow for both summer and winter farming systems trials that are relevant not just to Queensland grain growers, but nationally,” Mr Joyce said.
GRDC chairman John Woods said the facility would be open to both public and private organisations to undertake R&D, which would help ensure enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.
“This facility will be the key Queensland link to breeding programs as well as research into abiotic and biotic traits, soils, water, weeds and modelling,” Mr Woods said.
He said the new station would work in with existing facilities in the area.
“Strategically, this investment is in close proximity to established Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) grains research centres in Toowoomba and Warwick, along with key research partners like the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), University of Queensland (UQ) and CSIRO.”