Senior staff at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga recently hosted GrainCorp representatives when they visited the University to learn more about the Global Digital Farm, collaborative carbon research programs, and new research activities in animal nutrition and automated feedlots.

Attendees visited the AgriPark, Global Digital Farm, and the Rhizolysimeter - the largest root growth and soil water research facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon welcomed the GrainCorp representatives and participated in the tour and various meetings to showcase the University’s work in the agricultural space, along with future plans.  

“Charles Sturt has a nation-leading reputation for full-time graduate employment in the agricultural sector, as outlined in the 2024 Good University’s Guide,” Professor Leon said. 

“Our advanced teaching practices and facilities contribute to the job-readiness of these graduates, as do our partnerships with key industry organisations such as GrainCorp.”

The Vice-Chancellor opened the tour at the new Global Digital Farm showcase facility located in the AgriPark main office.

At the Rhizolysimeter, Charles Sturt PhD student Mr Tim Green demonstrated his research on the morphological and phenological characteristics of 100-day sowing into flowering wheat ideotype for winter sowing in South East Australia.

Charles Sturt’s Red Meat Innovation Centre Manager Ms Rebecca Barnewell and Professor of Veterinary Physiology Jane Quinn, a researcher in the the Charles Sturt  Gulbali Research Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment, discussed the planned feedlot upgrade and new research activities in animal nutrition and student partnership opportunities.

Business Manager Ms Fiona McCredie for the Cool Soils Initiative, a joint initiative between Charles Sturt and Food Agility CRC, is working with industry and growers to improve soil health, support low emissions and productive agriculture, and develop a framework for ‘scope 3’ supply chain reporting, relevant for Australia and recognised globally.

Director of Charles Sturt’s Global Digital Farm Mr Jonathan Medway discussed Charles Sturt and TransGrid’s plan to establish a Clean Energy and Digital Ag National Training Centre at Wagga Wagga capable of hosting more than 350 people which will double as the new home of the Global Digital Farm.

Global Digital Farm Technical Officer Mr Nelson West showed guests the latest in drone technology for crop and pasture management.

Zetifi Chief Operating Officer Mr Warwick Clancy demonstrated the latest on-farm wireless connectivity technology for farmers in regional, rural and remote areas, while Hutcheon and Pearce Integrated Solutions Manager Mr Hamish Ross demonstrated how crop data from John Deere machinery can be used to improve soil and crop health.

Following the tour attendees had the opportunity of tasting Charles Sturt boutique wines at the Cellar Door. 

Charles Sturt invites farmers and all interested in the agricultural sector to attend the Digital Agrifood Summit. The Summit will be hosted by Charles Sturt, AgriPark and Food Agility at the University in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 October and will bring together Australian and international industry leaders in agriculture.

Attendees will hear about advances in agrifood technologies, while also having access to agtech demonstrations and guided tours of Food Agility and Charles Sturt’s Global Digital Farm.

Visit the Digital Agrifood Summit website to buy tickets.

ENDS