• Charles Sturt students from Wagga Wagga to compete in GrainGrowers Crops Competition
• Students will be required to analyse crops to identify seeds and diseases and provide recommendations
• The competition is in Adelaide from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 September

Many Wagga Wagga residents would say it is risky to stand in the middle of a canola crop in peak hayfever season but these Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) students say otherwise.

Seven Bachelor of Agricultural Science students and their leader from Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga have been preparing for months to participate in the GrainGrowers Crops Competition in Adelaide next week.

The competition involves students from universities in Australia and the United States applying the knowledge they have learned in classrooms in a practical setting.

For the past 10 years the competition has been held at Temora, moving for the first time this year to Adelaide.

Lecturer in crop production in the Charles Sturt School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences Dr Sergio Moroni said not only can students assess their own levels of industry knowledge, but it is a great networking opportunity.

“Charles Sturt is proud to produce agricultural science graduates who are job-ready and equipped to meet the needs of this dynamic industry,” he said.

“Participation in events like this gives students the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they’ve learned and to make valuable connections within the grains industry.

“The team has shown personal motivation and commitment in their preparation for the event and they appreciate what they have been taught and realise the value of it.”

Charles Sturt students have traditionally enjoyed success in the competition, taking home first, second and third places at previous editions.

Students will be required to identify seeds, participate in crop walks, identify weeds, recommend appropriate herbicides, identify diseases and perform a yield estimate.

Third-year Bachelor of Agricultural Science student Miss Alexandra Lucas said the team has been meeting twice a week to prepare for the competition.

Miss Lucas said the competition was a good way to assess their strengths and weaknesses before graduation.

“I’m looking forward to putting everything we have learned into practice and testing what we have learned in the last few years,” she said.

“I’m hoping to use it as a networking opportunity to meet people in the industry.”

The Charles Sturt student team comprises of Mr Peter Coles, Mr Daniel Kingham, Miss Alexandra Lucas, Mr Ryan Malone, Ms Mikaela Meers, Mr Lachlan Green and Ms Emily White.

The students will compete in the GrainGrowers Crops Competition in Adelaide from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 September.

The Charles Sturt team is sponsored by the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation and the Charles Sturt School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences.