INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF GRAIN AT HERMITAGE
Published Tuesday, 17 April, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
“Accelerating economic growth through the grains industry” is the lure for stakeholders to the ‘Investing in the Future’ Expo at Hermitage Research Station on May 4.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’ Hermitage Research Station, via Warwick, is opening its doors to the public on Friday, May 4, to showcase its agricultural science research and highlight the innovations and achievements of the Queensland grains industry.
The event will be launched by Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin and chaired by DPI&F Ambassador Tom Woods.
A major Primary Industries Week event, the objectives of the Expo are to:
• Profile economic growth and investment opportunities in the grains industry;
• Demonstrate interesting and rewarding career paths in primary industries for young people and
• Target the valuable work of DPI&F scientists and researchers in sustaining Queensland agriculture and economy.
Mr Mulherin said the Expo would host a fleet of presentations outlining the range of research underway to assist producers with growing for a sustainable and profitable grains industry.
“The Expo will feature engaging presentations from innovators, researchers, scientists and grains entrepreneurs covering topics including grains future, accelerating growth in feed grains industries, accelerating growth in food grains, addressing global issues of water use and meeting the challenges through DPI&F research,” Mr Mulherin said.
“We are delighted to have renowned industry leaders as presenters, including Selwyn Snell, CEO of Single Vision Australia who will speak about the future direction of the Queensland grains industry in relation to international markets and climate change.”
Mr Mulherin said the Expo offered the ideal opportunity for local producers and interested investors to network and discuss possibilities.
“There are many opportunities to invest in agriculture in Queensland and invitations have been extended to current and prospective investors, venture capitalists, and local financial stakeholders to attend the Expo,” Mr Mulherin said.
The DPI&F is committed to building skills in rural areas of Queensland and at the Expo the Department will be demonstrating a range of interesting and rewarding career paths for young people.
Invited school groups, in primary and secondary school levels, will be given guided tours of Hermitage Research Station.
“Primary school students will have the opportunity to inspect the weather station, farm animals, plant pots and learn about Biosecurity land protection,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Senior school students will be able to participate in a plenary session and complete a lab-based project and genetics activity involving plants.”
Mr Mulherin said the research and smart science at Hermitage Research Station contributed immensely to Queensland’s primary industries sector and the successes and practical application of this comprehensive research and extension would be highlighted.
Hermitage Research Station was opened in 1897 and is Queensland’s oldest agricultural research institute. Hermitage is a Centre of Excellence for crop improvement, focussing on the breeding of sorghum, barley and pulse crops for Australia’s northern grains belt.
Mr Mulherin said scientists from a range of disciplines including plant breeding, crop physiology, plant pathology, molecular biology and agronomy worked together to address key industry issues, such as improving grain yield under water-limited conditions.
“For instance, most of the research programs at Hermitage were aimed at developing crops (sorghum, barley, wheat and pulses) that are better adapted to dry conditions.”
For more information about the Expo, contact DPI&F senior project officer, Lilly Patellis, on (07) 323 93052.
Media: Minister’s office 32396530
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’ Hermitage Research Station, via Warwick, is opening its doors to the public on Friday, May 4, to showcase its agricultural science research and highlight the innovations and achievements of the Queensland grains industry.
The event will be launched by Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin and chaired by DPI&F Ambassador Tom Woods.
A major Primary Industries Week event, the objectives of the Expo are to:
• Profile economic growth and investment opportunities in the grains industry;
• Demonstrate interesting and rewarding career paths in primary industries for young people and
• Target the valuable work of DPI&F scientists and researchers in sustaining Queensland agriculture and economy.
Mr Mulherin said the Expo would host a fleet of presentations outlining the range of research underway to assist producers with growing for a sustainable and profitable grains industry.
“The Expo will feature engaging presentations from innovators, researchers, scientists and grains entrepreneurs covering topics including grains future, accelerating growth in feed grains industries, accelerating growth in food grains, addressing global issues of water use and meeting the challenges through DPI&F research,” Mr Mulherin said.
“We are delighted to have renowned industry leaders as presenters, including Selwyn Snell, CEO of Single Vision Australia who will speak about the future direction of the Queensland grains industry in relation to international markets and climate change.”
Mr Mulherin said the Expo offered the ideal opportunity for local producers and interested investors to network and discuss possibilities.
“There are many opportunities to invest in agriculture in Queensland and invitations have been extended to current and prospective investors, venture capitalists, and local financial stakeholders to attend the Expo,” Mr Mulherin said.
The DPI&F is committed to building skills in rural areas of Queensland and at the Expo the Department will be demonstrating a range of interesting and rewarding career paths for young people.
Invited school groups, in primary and secondary school levels, will be given guided tours of Hermitage Research Station.
“Primary school students will have the opportunity to inspect the weather station, farm animals, plant pots and learn about Biosecurity land protection,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Senior school students will be able to participate in a plenary session and complete a lab-based project and genetics activity involving plants.”
Mr Mulherin said the research and smart science at Hermitage Research Station contributed immensely to Queensland’s primary industries sector and the successes and practical application of this comprehensive research and extension would be highlighted.
Hermitage Research Station was opened in 1897 and is Queensland’s oldest agricultural research institute. Hermitage is a Centre of Excellence for crop improvement, focussing on the breeding of sorghum, barley and pulse crops for Australia’s northern grains belt.
Mr Mulherin said scientists from a range of disciplines including plant breeding, crop physiology, plant pathology, molecular biology and agronomy worked together to address key industry issues, such as improving grain yield under water-limited conditions.
“For instance, most of the research programs at Hermitage were aimed at developing crops (sorghum, barley, wheat and pulses) that are better adapted to dry conditions.”
For more information about the Expo, contact DPI&F senior project officer, Lilly Patellis, on (07) 323 93052.
Media: Minister’s office 32396530