- Western Australian research scientist Dr Ron Yates receives 2026 Grains Research and Development Corporation Seed of Light Award
- Award recognises more than three decades of legume research and mentoring
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development scientists driving new frontiers in grain production and industry resilience
Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis has congratulated respected Western Australian legume researcher Dr Ron Yates on receiving the grains industry's most prestigious award.
Dr Yates was recognised for his contribution to science and mentoring with the Grains Research and Development Corporation's 2026 Seed of Light Award this week.
The experienced research scientist has spent more than 33 years with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) examining how legumes improve soil nitrogen and boost crop production.
Dr Yates works closely with growers, advisers, and partner organisations to pursue research outcomes that are practical, regionally relevant, and can be readily adopted.
Based at Murdoch University,Dr Yates leads research and guides several honours and doctoral students to advance the understanding of legumes in crop rotations in WA broadacre environments.
Recently, in collaboration with the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration and the CSIRO, he supported the development and evaluation of harvestable annual legume options and trials to get a better understanding of the benefits of legumes in rotation.
Dr Yates is one of almost 20 department recipients of the Seed of Light and Seed of Gold award since 1999, which acknowledges the outstanding contribution, dedication and commitment of individuals communicating research outcomes in the grains industry.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"I want to congratulate Dr Ron Yates on his years of service and research to the grains industry.
"He is a dedicated DPIRD scientist and a worthy recipient of the Seed of Light Award.
"Dr Yates' work, across more than three decades, has contributed to helping department research realise the productive potential of WA's ancient landscape, which produced a record grain harvest this season.
"By working together with growers and industry, our passionate scientists - like Dr Yates - are striving to continually enhance the long-term profitability and resilience of the WA grains industry."
