Western Australia
February 29,2016
An agronomist known for his enthusiasm and willingness to step up to the ‘next level’ in the industry is the winner of the 2016 Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) western region Seed of Light award.
(Left to right) GRDC deputy chairman Kim Halbert, with GRDC western region Seed of Light award winner Garren Knell, of ConsultAg, and GRDC Western Regional Panel chairman Peter Roberts at the Grains Research Update, Perth.
ConsultAg agronomist Garren Knell was presented with the award – made annually to someone who makes a significant contribution to communicating the outcomes of grains research – at the GRDC Grains Research Update, Perth today.
GRDC Western Regional Panel chairman Peter Roberts said Mr Knell, based in Narrogin, had a strong rapport with growers, and not just his clients who were spread over a wide area in Western Australia’s southern grainbelt.
“Over and above the agronomy services he provides for his clients, Garren has consistently demonstrated that he is willing to step up and become involved in extracurricular activities for the benefit of the broader grains industry in WA and Australia,” Mr Roberts said.
“A consistent theme of his participation in these various activities is his focus on assessing and communicating the on-farm effects of implementing research outcomes.”
Mr Roberts said that Mr Knell’s recent industry contributions included being a member of the GRDC National Frost Initiative steering committee; initiating successful GRDC Pre-Seeding Frost Workshops; and working alongside the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) to conduct crucial oat agronomy research.
“In addition, Garren is a director of Australian Quinoa, which aims to keep developing a viable quinoa industry in Australia,” he said.
“Garren has also shown a willingness to employ young graduates to work alongside him at ConsultAg, helping to boost much needed industry capacity in the WA grains sector.”
Mr Roberts said it was a credit to Mr Knell that he had won the Seed of Light award, given the high calibre of many people currently working in the WA grains sector.
Mr Knell, who has an honours degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Western Australia, has specialised in agronomy consulting since 1999 when he joined ConsultAg.
Prior to this, he worked with DAFWA at Lake Grace and Northam.
While at Lake Grace, Mr Knell played a major role in developing the agency’s response to the severe 1998 frost event in WA.
Previous GRDC western region Seed of Light winners include Blakely Paynter, Ben Biddulph, Jeremy Lemon, Owen Grieve, Geoff Fosbery, Stephen Powles, Bill Bowden, Peter Newman, Peter Mangano, Bill Crabtree, Cameron Weeks, Peter Nelson, Ros Jettner, Vanessa Stewart, Rob Loughman and Fran Hoyle.
Details of GRDC Seed of Light winners can be found at www.grdc.com.au/seedoflight.
The GRDC Grains Research Update, Perth, is being held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on February 29 and March 1. Further information about the event is available at www.giwa.org.au/2016researchupdates.
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