Pests, weeds and diseases are placing increasing pressure on grain production. Addressing these challenges will require new and more effective ways to prevent, prepare for, manage and respond.
There are opportunities to work smarter, not just harder. To do this well, we need practical input from people across the system.
Agronomists play a key role. They work directly with growers through trust-based relationships, are present in paddocks and often see issues as they emerge. However, their experiences and insights have not been well explored in past research.
This project aims to identify practical, ‘win–win’ approaches that deliver value for agronomists, growers and the broader system.
Get involved
We are inviting people from across industry, governments and research to provide input to this study. Your experience can help shape approaches that are practical, useful and grounded in real-world conditions.
There are three ways to get involved and you are welcome to contribute in more than one way.
Who can take part
Anyone with an interest in the role of agronomists in grain crop protection, including:
- agronomists (independent and retail)
- growers
- researchers
- industry representatives
- government staff (policy, response, market access, diagnostic and identification, etc.).
What’s involved
- A discussion with one or two members of the research team (~ 60 minutes).
- Share your views on what currently works and what doesn’t.
- Discuss how agronomists and others are supported.
- Explore a small number of practical scenarios and value propositions for agronomists.
- Suggest ideas for improving outcomes across the system.
What you’ll gain
- Have your voice heard and inform future programs and investments.
- Reflect on current challenges and opportunities in your work.
- Contribute to ideas that aim to deliver real, practical value.
- Receive a summary of overall findings from the project.
Privacy
All responses are confidential. Information will be de-identified in reporting.
Register your interest
If you would like to take part in an interview, or would like more information, please get in touch by contacting Laura Butler, the Project Officer, on socialsciences.abares@aff.gov.au.
What the workshops cover
These workshops build on insights from interviews and explore a set of potential ‘win–win’ initiatives.
Participants will likely include:
- agronomists (retail and independent)
- growers
- researchers
- industry organisations
- government staff (including those in plant health, communication, policy roles and others).
What’s involved
- Review and discuss proposed initiatives to better involve agronomists in crop protection.
- Test how practical and useful these proposed initiatives are.
- Help refine ideas so they work in real-world settings.
Why your input matters
Input from people across the system is important to ensure initiatives:
- are practical to implement
- deliver clear value
- fit within existing workloads and systems.
What you’ll gain
- Influence how future initiatives are designed.
- Learn how others are approaching similar challenges.
- Connect with people across regions and roles.
- Contribute to approaches that may reduce effort and improve outcomes over time.
Workshop details
- 2-hour online sessions.
- Held separately for WA, SA, NSW and QLD during August and early September.
Why participate?
By taking part, you will help to:
- shape practical solutions grounded in on-the-ground experience
- ensure the perspectives of your role are well represented
- identify approaches that improve outcomes while minimising burden
- inform future programs, policies and investments in crop protection.
Register your interest
If you would like to take part in a workshop, or would like more information, please get in touch by contacting Laura Butler, the Project Officer, on socialsciences.abares@aff.gov.au.
Who this is for
Agronomists working in grain crop protection (independent or retail).
What’s involved
- A short online survey (10–15 minutes).
- Share your views on a range of potential scenarios and value propositions.
- Indicate which approaches you see as most useful or relevant in practice.
What you’ll gain
- A quick and easy way to contribute your perspective.
- Input into shaping practical initiatives that reflect the realities of your work.
- An opportunity to highlight what would provide genuine value to agronomists.
Timing
The survey will be available from 10 August. A link will be published on this page.
Register your interest
You can register for the survey by emailing Laura Butler at socialsciences.abares@aff.gov.au and we will email you the link when it is available.
Your experience matters
Even small insights can make a difference. By sharing your perspective, you are contributing to practical solutions that aim to support the grains industry now and into the future.
About the project
ABARES Social Sciences Program is leading this research which is funded by the National Grains Diagnostic and Surveillance Initiative (NGDSI).
The NGDSI is a partnership between the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and departments responsible for agriculture across the Australian Government and various state governments.
The research is supported by a reference group of industry and government representatives.
Project stages
- Stage 1 (until October 2026): Interviews, a survey, and workshops with agronomists and other key stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration. It focuses on the grain growing regions in the west, south and north.
- Stage 2 (November 2026 - September 2027): The outcomes of Stage 1 will inform the next steps of the project, which may include a pilot program codesigned with agronomists.
The project is due for completion by September 2027.
Figure 1: Overview of the project steps
Red framed boxes indicate opportunities for participation
Stay updated
This page will be updated regularly as the project progresses. For more information, contact Laura Butler, the Project Officer, on socialsciences.abares@aff.gov.au.