Registrations are now open for Western Australia's premier grains industry forums: the 2026 Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Updates.
The 2026 events kick off in Perth on 16 and 17 February, marking 30 years of GRDC support for the Grains Research Updates, or 'Crop Updates' as they were initially called.
Since then, the updates have grown to become the biggest event in the WA grains industry calendar, showcasing the latest research, technology, market development and management innovations.
For the first time, the Perth update will be hosted at Optus Stadium, and will be followed by regional updates in:
GRDC Senior Regional Manager – West Peter Bird said the Grains Research Updates celebrate innovation and partnership in grains research, development and extension (RD&E), driving progress for Australian agriculture.
"The GRDC updates represent 30 years of working together and pushing boundaries. Western Australians should be proud of what we've achieved as an industry," Mr Bird said.
The WA grains industry is expected to return its biggest crop on record in 2025/26, ahead of the 26 million tonnes produced in 2022/23, the state's current record.
"We owe a lot to the innovation of the growers and researchers who came before us," Mr Bird said.
"Taking time to remember how far we have come during the past three decades motivates us to keep searching for new breakthroughs to reach new frontiers.
"At the end of the day, it's the people – growers, researchers, and everyone across the industry – who make the difference. Their legacy is what inspires the next generations coming through," Mr Bird said.
This year's 2026 Grains Research Updates mark 30 years since the 'Crop Updates' were first supported by GRDC in 2006. This photo depicts an event in 2012. Photo: DPIRD
GRDC Western Panel Chair Gary Lang will open the Perth update. He said this year tickets to the two-day Perth update will be free for grain growers. Regional update events will be free for all attendees.
"The 2026 program is, yet again, poised to deliver a host of new information, practices and technologies to maximise WA grain growers' profitability," Mr Lang said.
"The western Grains Research Updates series consistently attracts over 1,000 attendees across six events, five of which are hosted in regional WA in partnership with local grower groups.
It's fantastic to see a large cross section of the state's growers, advisers and researchers come together each year to address challenges, explore innovations and push the boundaries of what was previously thought possible.
The Department of Agriculture – now Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – initiated the event in the early 1990s prior to GRDC coming on board and has had an enduring presence at the updates over the past three decades, sharing research outcomes to advance industry productivity and profitability.
"The department is proud of the Crop Updates legacy and how it has grown into a key platform for sharing innovation, ensuring WA's grains industry remains adaptable and internationally competitive," said DPIRD Broadacre Systems executive director Kaara Klepper.
The 2026 Grains Research Updates will deliver one and two-day series of presentations focusing on farming systems; supply chain and markets; soils, nutrition and agronomy; weed and disease management; emissions, climate and weather; and agricultural technology.
As part of the Perth update, GRDC is also hosting a free New Frontiers Grainstorming breakfast for growers and advisers on Tuesday 17 February. This event aims to gather innovative new ideas for groundbreaking, blue-sky research that will make a difference on-farm. Register for the breakfast when you sign up for the update.
