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Funding for this conference was made possible by the Agricultural Research Council,
the Winter Cereal Trust and the South African Society for Crop Production.
wheat research, development and technology and to hold open and
robust discussions on the full range of important issues currently
being considered in the wheat industry. Previously established rela-
tionships were strengthened while networking was also successfully
done with a number of individuals and institutions.
In the next 20 years breeding for high-yield potential remains the
first priority, as the available planting area for wheat is unlikely to
increase. Drought tolerance for wheat must be strengthened
because cultivars with drought tolerance and better water use
efficiency are urgently needed. New genes and genetic resources
must be explored to realise higher genetic gain. Gene-specific
markers will play an important role in facilitating the genes for
disease resistance and quality.
The conference was held in the Four Seasons Hotel, situated
in the famous Rocks district. The hotel has a stunning view of
Sydney Harbour with the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Bridge in
close proximity.
Sydney was the site of the first British colony in Australia, which was
set up in 1788. The first wheat grown in Australia was farmed on a
spot which is now a portion of Sydney’s Botanical Gardens. For the
first harvest 8 acres (3,2 ha) of wheat were planted. Today almost
14 million hectares are planted to wheat in Australia.
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SA Grain
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Sasol Chemicals (Fertiliser) photo competition –
Piet Lombard 2012