Building links between researchers, industry and funding bodies is being hailed as one of the highlights of the 68^th Australasian Grain Science Association Conference.

The conference was held at Charles Sturt University in September and the Functional Grains Centre was pleased to be a supporter of the event.

Conference Co-Chair, FGC Director Chris Blanchard said, “The conference was well attended with more than 100 researchers, students and grains industry representatives taking the opportunity to hear about scientific advances ro improve the profitability of the grains value chain.

“I believe one of the key outcomes was the interaction between researchers, the industry and the funding organisations.

“It’s important for the industry to set the research agenda so that projects are targeted at solving real world problems and the outcomes will be adopted by producers and new technological advances commercialised by the industry.

“It was great to have presentations from SunRice, the Grains Research and Development Corporation, AgriFutures pulse exporter AGT Foods and canola porcessor MSM Milling.”

The three-day conference included more than 100 presentations and posters showcasing research to improve plant breeding, develop new products and processing techniques,  and to better understand nutrition and human health.

FGC PhD student Ms Rachael Wood was awarded best student poster presentation and Ms Esther Callcott won the best student oral presentation, awarded jointly with Mr Nigarin Sultana of Murdoch University.

“Members of the Functional Grains Centre played an important role in helping to organise and run this conference and should be proud of their contribution,” Professor Blanchard said.