A PLANT breeding academy has been established in the region to take the country’s plant-breeding industry, research and education into the future.
Roseworthy-based Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) has partnered with the University of Adelaide’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine as part of the Australian Plant Breeding Academy.
The academy is believed to be the first of its kind for plant breeding in Australia, and will deliver significant benefits to the industry in the medium to long term.
It includes the development of a research program aligned with priority crops and traits to break new ground in plant breeding.
AGT chief executive and head of breeding Haydn Kuchel said through its activities in education and breeding research, the Australian Plant Breeding Academy would lift the capability of the agrifood sector across Australia and maximise future profits for growers.
AGT head of science and business development Tristan Coram said AGT had a long history of engagement in both undergraduate and postgraduate education.
“…we see the expansion of this effort under the new Academy as crucial for the long-term sustainability of Australian agriculture,” he said.
The partnership will also see the appointment of a Breeding Research Fellow responsible for the academy’s breeding research portfolio, and the establishment of multiple PhD scholars in plant breeding, the first of which will commence in 2022.
University of Adelaide deputy vice-chancellor (of research) Professor Anton Middelberg said the university was delighted to continue its long association with plant breeding through this new strategic partnership.
“The partnership brings together a leading institution and the nation’s foremost grain technology company, both of which are committed to driving future innovation and excellence in research and education in Australia’s agricultural sector,” Professor Middelberg said.
Both the university and AGT have had lengthy involvement in commercial plant breeding programs, including bread wheat, durum wheat, barley, canola, lupins, triticale and faba beans, which will be further built upon through the academy.
University of Adelaide’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine’ Professor Jason Able said the success of the University’s breeding endeavours over the past 60-plus years could be found throughout the Australian agricultural industry today.
“Under the new academy, we have the opportunity to continue our role in this area, and maintain our very strong connection with industry,” he said.
Australian Grain Technologies opened its new $20 million crop breeding centre at Roseworthy in 2018 and is focused on developing new crop varieties that are more productive, better quality and/or cost less to grow.
AGT is the leading provider of wheat varieties in Australia and is working toward achieving the same status in our other crops, including barley, durum, canola, and lupins.