Pulse growers have been provided with a valuable resource for the 2019 cropping season thanks to a recent online webinar series, held as part of the Grains Research and Development Corporation's (GRDC) Southern Region Pulse Extension Project.
The five webinars, each covering a different pulse crop type, featured a line-up of industry experts who provided an overview of relevant agronomic information, pulse research findings and current market information.
The 'Growing Pulses' webinar recordings – for beans, vetch, field peas, lentils and chickpeas – are now available for viewing via the GRDC YouTube Channel.
Southern Region Pulse Extension Project manager, Pru Cook, says the webinars were well received by participants and recording requests were in high demand post-event.
"Each of these webinars allowed growers and other industry personnel to interact with industry experts without the burden and expense of travel and time away from their businesses, cost effectively building their skills and better preparing for the upcoming growing season," Ms Cook said.
"More than 70 people tuned in to the live webinars and the positive feedback from those who participated proves there is great support for this type of forum.
"Comments resoundingly stated that the content was very helpful, and that the technology had additional benefits. For example, a participant noted that the images of diseases came through so clearly, much better than in a printed resource.
"There were also requests for more webinars on other pulse-related topics throughout the growing season and an indication that such forums would grow in effectiveness and reach as people became more familiar with the format."
The GRDC Southern Region Pulse Extension Project, titled 'Building capacity, skills and knowledge for the pulse industry in the southern region: supporting expansion of high value pulses into new areas and ensuring sustained profitability of all key pulse crops',began in 2017.
Delivered by a consortium of organisations involved in the pulse industry across the GRDC's southern region, the initiative aims to increase the knowledge of growers and advisers on sustainable pulse production, leading to improved farming systems and grower profitability.
Meanwhile, pulse industry stakeholders are encouraged to contact Ms Cook regarding suggested topics for future webinars.
