Grains Research Updates Free For Growers With 30-year Celebrations Starting In Adelaide, Bendigo
06 January 2026, AU: The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is celebrating more than 30 years of Grains Research Updates, with registrations now open for the Adelaide (3-4 February 2026) and Bendigo (24-25 February) Updates.
The 2-day Updates are a must-attend event for growers, advisers and researchers to share the latest research outcomes, innovation and knowledge shaping Australia’s grains industry.
“We are really excited to announce that all our 2026 Grains Research Updates will be free for growers for the first time, as part of our 30-year celebrations,” said GRDC Senior Regional Manager – South, Courtney Ramsey.
“The Updates are such an important avenue for sharing some of the latest findings from our research pipeline. We hope to attract a large crowd of growers, advisers and researchers to showcase practices that can help improve farm profitability.
“The 30-year event allows us to reflect on the industry’s progress, and celebrate what growers have achieved with research. It’s also an opportunity to look to the next 30 years, and imagine what’s possible.”
Following the 2-day Updates in Adelaide and Bendigo are regional 1-day Updates in both South Australia and Victoria. Bookings for all are essential and open now:
- Adelaide, SA (3-4 February 2026)
- Waikerie, SA (5 February 2026)
- Bendigo, Victoria (24-25 February 2026)
- Lake Bolac, Victoria (26 February 2026)
The previously named ‘Crop Updates’ were first held around the country in the early-mid 1990s and have grown into a favourite on the grains industry calendar. They showcase the latest research, technology, market development and farm management innovations.
Grain grower and GRDC Southern Panel Chair Andrew Russell said the Updates are the ‘perfect recipe’ that bring together growers, advisers and researchers to discuss and share innovative solutions to help improve farm business outcomes.
“GRDC Grains Research Updates in 2026 will continue to play a critical role in ensuring growers have access to the latest research and practical insights they need to navigate increasingly complex seasons,” Mr Russell said.
“Over the past 20 years, research investment has helped growers get significantly more production and profitability from every millimetre of rainfall. This progress is more important than ever now – with a slow start to the season, widespread dry conditions in some regions and a range of other challenges impacting decision-making.
The anticipated increase in grower numbers this year is yet another reason for advisers and researchers to come along. When we come together and share knowledge, we really do start to make a difference at a farm level.
Topics on the 2026 agenda include crop productivity and yield optimisation; soils nutrition and root systems; weed, herbicide and resistance management; disease and pest management; farming systems risk and decision-making; technology, data and innovation; and markets sustainability into the future.
The program is highly applied, regionally relevant and systems-focused, combining immediate paddock-level management advice with medium-term risk and resistance mitigation alongside long-term sustainability, profitability and innovation.
Highlights of the 2-day Updates include:
- Panel session – converting herbicide resistance test data into effective paddock actions, with Peter Boutsalis (University of Adelaide), Brad Foster (Bawdens Rural) and Chris Davey (Next Level Agronomy)
- The Autonomous Agronomist, with Tim Neale (Data Farming)
- The future of the double knock, with Chris Preston (University of Adelaide)
Adelaide will also feature ‘Tracking profit and risk of farming systems in the southern region – a preliminary scorecard’, with Matthew Knowling (University of Adelaide). While Bendigo will feature ‘The current drivers of global grain markets’, with Dennis Voznesenski (CBA).
As part of these Updates, GRDC is also hosting free New Frontiers Grainstorming dinners for growers and advisers on Monday 2 February (Adelaide) and Monday 23 February (Bendigo). These events aim to gather innovative new ideas for groundbreaking, blue-sky research that will make a difference on-farm. Register for the Grainstorming dinners when you sign up for either Update.
GRDC will also announce the recipients of the 2026 GRDC Seed of Light – South, and the 2026 GRDC Emerging Leader – South at the Updates. Grain Producers South Australia is also holding its awards night during the Adelaide Update, continuing the celebration of the industry and its people.
ORM Pty Ltd deliver GRDC’s Grains Research Updates in the southern region.
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