FGC Deputy Director Associate Professor Dan Waters reports on the annual Rice Industry Field Day.

A strong contingent of Functional Grains Centre members travelled to the Yanco Agricultural Institute on Thursday 15 March 15 for the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) rice industry field day.

FGC members presented their research in poster displays and enjoyed the opportunity to talk with producers, other researchers and industry representatives.

SunRice Chief Executive Officer Rob Gordon outlined his vision for the rice industry, a vision which puts rice quality front and centre. With the increased competition for water, the rice industry faces many challenges. However, Mr Gordon believes rice quality will play a key role in ensuring the ongoing profitability of the industry.

Kellogg’s was a high profile participant at the field day, outlining the long term relationship the company has with the Australian rice industry and its importance to the business. Rice quality is a key ingredient of the Kellogg’s business and as part of our discussions we learnt that FGC Director Professor Chris Blanchard’s research allowed them to better understand the unique rice milling requirements of a good rice bubble.

A highlight was learning that Kellogg’s gives a significant proportion of its profits to charity by way of the WK Kellogg Foundation. WK Kellogg created the foundation but mandated the Kellogg’s food company could not use the Foundation as part of its marketing, explaining why few of us know we give to charity each time we purchase a Kellogg’s product.

NSW DPI rice breeder Peter Snell had new rice lines and varieties on display while NSW DPI principal research scientist Mark Stevens spoke about pests such as snails and armyworms.

NSW DPI research agronomist Brian Dunn presented his work investigating sowing methods for rice without flood irrigation. FGC PhD student, and NSW DPI researcher Rachael Wood, had a starring role explaining her research of how farmer practices affect rice grain quality.

The field day was also an opportunity to for the rice industry to farewell Ian Mason from his role as AgriFutures R&D committee member and more recently Chairman, and to thank him for his untiring effort to be a positive influence on, and voice for, the rice industry over many years. Although his time with AgriFutures has drawn to a close, Ian continues as a SunRice board member and growing rice on his farm north of Finley.