The program for the 6th International Temperate Rice Conference (ITR Conference) - to be held in Griffith, NSW in March 2017 - has been revealed and the Australian rice industry is set to shine.

Russell Ford, Manager of Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd (RRAPL) and head of the ITR Conference organising committee is delighted to announce the conference program, which will showcase the latest advancements in temperate rice research, technology and innovation.

'We're pleased to offer such a comprehensive program; coupled with an enticing line-up of speakers we have no doubt delegates will gain invaluable knowledge from this year's conference,' said Mr Ford.

Under the conference theme 'Tradition, Technology, Productivity - A Balancing Act', rice industry experts will explore topics including breeding, agronomy, biotic stress and crop protection as well as precision agriculture and quality and processing.

'The Conference is a rare opportunity, not only to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our ricegrowers, but to learn and network with growers and industry professionals alike from around the world.'

Keynote Speaker Dr Steve Linscombe, Senior Rice Breeder, Louisiana State University Agricultural Centre, who also attended the first ITR Conference in 1994 held in Yanco, NSW, said: 'the conference is an outstanding opportunity to exchange ideas and plan for collaborative research going forward.'

Keynote Speakers also include Professor Melissa Fitzgerald, Professor of Food Science, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland; Dr Matthew Morell, Director General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); and Dr Russell Reinke, Senior Scientist (Rice Breeding; Bio-fortification), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

The extensive conference program will run over four days, from Monday, 6 March - Thursday, 9 March 2017 and will include a selection of tours, including:

  • The Farm Tour to the Braithwaite Property in Benerembah, NSW will kick off the first day. Delegates can witness high tech precision agriculture in action, learn about how variable rate technology, laser levelling equipment and remote imagery technology is being integrated, and see innovative rice trials up close.
  • The Partners Tour offers a chance for partners of conference delegates to explore the local Riverina area and experience the best of what the region has to offer, including lunch at one of Griffith's top restaurants and wine tasting at Calabria Family Wines.
A trip to the rice industry's premier research showcase, the Rice Field Day, hosted by RRAPL at 'Old Coree' Jerilderie will close out the conference on the Thursday.

The ITR Conference Program is available for viewing at: www.itrconference.com/conference/program.aspx

Full Delegate ($880 AUD) registrations are open until Friday 24 February 2017. Student and Group bookings also available.

To find out more or to buy tickets, head to www.itrconference.com.

Follow @ITRConference on Twitter for the latest updates.

For media enquiries contact: Chantelle Hutchison, Sauce Communications, chantelle@saucecommunications.com.au / 0452 637 446.

RIRDC - Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation published this content on 22 December 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 19 January 2017 03:36:02 UTC.

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