Two Western Australian grains industry leaders have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to research, development and extension, with the announcement of the 2026 Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) western region panel awards.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) senior scientist Dr Ron Yates has received the 2026 GRDC Seed of Light – West award, while Southern Cross grain grower Callum Wesley has been named 2026 GRDC Emerging Leader – West.
The awards were presented at the GRDC Grains Research Update – Perth, recognising excellence in communicating research outcomes and emerging leadership within the Western Australian grains industry.
The GRDC Seed of Light award recognises individuals who demonstrate outstanding dedication and commitment to the effective communication and extension of GRDC invested research, while the Emerging Leader award acknowledges the contribution of a professional or grower who is shaping the future of the grains industry.
GRDC Western Panel Chair Gary Lang recognised Dr Yates' breadth of work and strength of collaboration as 2026 Seed of Light winner.
"Two things stood out to the western panel about Ron: innovation and mentoring," Mr Lang said.
Ron's work in pasture legume and nitrogen fixation has resulted in new pasture legume varieties, better adapted rhizobia and new application techniques that allow crops to be sown before the first autumn rains to maximise potential.
"Secondly, the buy-in from Ron's PhD and honours students is impressive. He has a strong track record of attracting and retaining young research talent to the WA grains industry. Ron is an incredibly deserving winner of the Seed of Light award."
WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) senior scientist Dr Ron Yates has received the 2026 GRDC Seed of Light – West award. Photo: Western Australian Agricultural Research Collaboration.
WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) senior scientist Dr Ron Yates has received the 2026 GRDC Seed of Light – West award. Photo: Western Australian Agricultural Research Collaboration. >DPIRD senior scientist Dr Ron Yates is a member of the Legume and Rhizobium Science research group based at Murdoch University. He has played a leading role in advancing crop and pasture legumes and optimising biological nitrogen fixation in the farming system for Australian grain growers.
Dr Yates has been a key contributor to multiple GRDC invested research programs, including work delivered through nationally coordinated legume and nitrogen fixation projects involving the commercial release of rhizobia inoculant strains and legume cultivars.
Recently, in collaboration with the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration and CSIRO, his research leadership has supported the development and evaluation of harvestable annual legume options and better understanding the benefits of legumes in rotation, particularly the nitrogen supply to subsequent crops from the breakdown of legume residue.
Dr Yates has worked closely with growers, advisers and partner organisations to ensure research outcomes are practical, regionally relevant and readily adopted, with findings regularly communicated through field trials, grower engagement activities and industry extension.
He said he was surprised and deeply grateful to be recognised by the western panel and GRDC staff.
"This recognition has prompted me to reflect on more than 33 years of agricultural research, how fortunate I have been to choose a career I genuinely love, and the experiences that have shaped my research and contributions to agriculture," Dr Yates said.
Prioritising clear, practical communication and building strong relationships with growers have been the focus of his extension efforts.
"Taking calls directly from growers, hosting interactive on-farm field days to showcase experimental trials, and actively listening to grower feedback have proven to be the most effective ways to ensure research outcomes are relevant, practical and widely adopted."
Mr Lang said Dr Yates' ability to connect rigorous science with real world farming systems had delivered enduring benefits for WA grain growers.
"His legacy will be leveraged by the well trained and inspired young scientists that he has set on an agricultural research pathway," Mr Lang said.
Southern Cross grain grower Callum Wesley has been recognised as the 2026 GRDC Emerging Leader – West for his strong advocacy for grower led research and his role in progressing innovative cropping practices in low rainfall environments.
Farming in Western Australia's eastern wheatbelt, Mr Wesley is a current Nuffield Scholar, former GRDC Regional Cropping Solutions Network (RCSN) member, former member of the GRDC Soils Constraints West steering committee and has been closely involved in GRDC National Grower Network (NGN) activities.
He has been instrumental in prompting and supporting research into long coleoptile wheat and deep sowing systems in response to changing rainfall patterns.
His on-farm trials and collaboration with researchers helped catalyse GRDC investment in both regional and national projects investigating long coleoptile wheat genetics, agronomy and farming systems adaptation.
Southern Cross grain grower Callum Wesley has been named 2026 GRDC Emerging Leader – West. Photo: Evan Collis/GRDC.
Mr Wesley has also supported GRDC invested work examining canola establishment in low rainfall regions, contributing to demonstration trials and extension activities through local grower groups, as well as driving pulse adoption in the far eastern wheatbelt.
He said he was surprised, yet grateful and honoured, to be receiving the award.
When asked about his inspiration for getting involved in grains research, Mr Wesley said "when you can achieve above average yields with below average rainfall, it emphasises how important research and adoption is, and this inspires me to keep pushing the envelope."
Looking forward, Mr Wesley said pushing the boundaries of water use efficiency was one of the biggest opportunities for grain production.
"What excites me most is that we can continue to improve our water use efficiency and do it with new technology that we haven't seen before."
Mr Lang said Mr Wesley exemplified the role growers play in shaping research priorities and accelerating innovation.
"Callum's commitment to tackling the challenges of the eastern wheatbelt has been truly remarkable. His collaboration with leading researchers like Dr Greg Rebetzke from CSIRO was a catalyst for groundbreaking long coleoptile wheat research," Mr Lang said.
"Callum's efforts haven't stopped there: he's continued to drive innovation that directly benefits WA growers. A highlight of Callum's work was his initiative in leading a private research project that was visited by 100 growers.
I congratulate Callum on being recognised as the 2026 GRDC Emerging Leader – West; his dedication and leadership are an asset to our industry.
The 2026 western region panel award recipients were selected by the GRDC western panel in recognition of their demonstrated leadership, commitment to industry collaboration and contribution to creating enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.
