A popular session on career opportunities in Western Australia's grains industry returns to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grain Research Update – Perth on February 24.
The panel session, which was new to the program in 2024 and proved extremely popular with attendees, is focused on tertiary agriculture students to highlight the diversity of careers the industry offers.
The Grains Research Update – Perth is the premier forum for the grains industry in the state and is scheduled to take place on February 24 and 25 at Crown Perth.
The Mt Burdett Foundation will sponsor up to 100 tertiary agricultural students to attend the Update free of charge for day one of proceedings to attend the careers panel session.
Kalannie grower and GRDC Board director Bob Nixon together with one of the most recognisable voices in rural WA, ABC Rural reporter Richard Hudson, will facilitate the session.
Kalannie grower and GRDC board director Bob Nixon will facilitate the careers in grain session alongside ABC Rural's Richard Hudson. Photo: GRDC
Mr Nixon said this year's session builds on the success of last year's format, which had a focus on employers, building connections and grains industry leadership.
"This year's panel is made up of early to mid-career ag professionals who will share their diverse experiences of being new to the industry, established in their careers or originating from non-traditional ag backgrounds," Mr Nixon said.
"We'll also explore the role of tech in a changing ag careers landscape. Human capital is the most valuable asset in agriculture, so it's really important that we focus on attracting a broad range of skills and interests.
"There has never been a better time for those with non-traditional ag backgrounds to join the grains industry."
GRDC Western Panel Chair Gary Lang said the initiative would encourage more future grains industry professionals to attend the GRDC Updates.
"This initiative is about getting ag students along to an event they might not usually attend to hear from other ag professionals about their journeys and to form linkages that will help them in their future careers," Mr Lang said.
"It serves to demystify the process of starting out in the grains industry and supports them to build connections with other knowledgeable, experienced grains industry people.
"The goal is to inspire, engage and excite future ag professionals to pursue rewarding careers in the grains industry."
The career opportunities in the grains industry session at the Grains Research Update – Perth will feature a panel of early and mid-career ag industry professionals, including agriculture student and GRDC AgriFutures Horizon Scholar Grace Moloney. Photo: Grace Moloney
The panel session is at 4:00pm on day one of the Grains Research Update. The panel line-up includes:
- George Marangos-Gilks, Messium UK
- Darcy McDonald, Great Northern Rural Services
- Grace Moloney, GRDC AgriFutures Horizon scholar
- Katherine Zulak, Centre for Crop and Disease Management
- Kathryn Fleay, Living Farm
An interactive Q&A session will follow the panel presentations. Students will be encouraged to network and meet grains industry professionals at the sundowner immediately following the session.
The Mt Burdett Foundation is the legacy of Esperance farmer Chris Reichstein and aims to enrich and empower the Esperance region and the wider rural and regional WA by building skills, confidence, opportunity and leadership.
Registrations are open for the Grains Research Update – Perth, with the program featuring more than 50 concurrent sessions over two days on topics including farming systems, AI and automation, markets, soils and agronomy, weed management, emissions, climate and weather, diseases and nutrition.
