Narrabri hosts national wheat breeding forum

Wheat breeders, researchers and industry officials from across the nation converged on Narrabri for the return of the Wheat Breeding Assembly.

This week’s forum in Narrabri saw more than 130 people participate in what was the first get-together since the COVID pandemic.

Two days of sessions were held at The Crossing Theatre, however, it was a field excursion to the University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute that enabled the visitors to witness Narrabri’s achievements and capabilities as a leading centre of agricultural research.

Wheat Breeding Society of Australia president Professor Richard Trethowan, who also works as a director of the Newell Highway research institute, said this week’s forum was one of the first held outside a capital city.

Prof Trethowan was among the local research staff to explain Narrabri’s important role as a centre of research.

Among the speakers at Tuesday afternoon’s field tour at the Plant Breeding Institute were local wheat researcher Dr Lindsay O’Brien and Wheat Research Foundation representative Ray Hare.

The foundation and the University of Sydney enjoy a close working relationship at the Newell Highway site.

“We have had positive interaction with the university in 60 years,” Mr Hare said.

He explained the importance of agricultural research, given the world’s growing need for food.

“In total, world agriculture will need to produce 15 billion meals a day,” he told the visiting delegates.

Prof Trethowan praised the long-standing relationship between the foundation and the university.

“After 50 years, we are revitalising the place,” he said, pointing towards the soon-to-be completed $13 million International Centre of Crop and Digital Farming.

Speaking to The Courier about this week’s forum, he said it was a thrill to see wheat researchers descend upon the town, particularly looking at the many achievements to come from Narrabri-based researchers.

A variety of topics was on offer at the three-day forum, spanning genomics, phenomics, phenotyping, data management and wheat breeding technology.

Highly-credentialled academics and industry officials featured on the extensive list of topics discussed.