VICTORIA'S grain leaders will get an update on genetically modified wheat when they converge on Longerenong College this month.
The Department of Primary Industries is running a grain forum on March 29, as a warm-up to the Victorian Farmers Federation's grains conference, which begins the next day.
The DPI has organised the science forum to allow VFF delegates and other farmers to hear about the progress on key agricultural research projects.
It will be opened by DPI secretary Richard Bolt. DPI Biosciences Research Division compliance manager Carl Ramage will talk on transgenic wheat.
Dr Ramage led the team that field tested Australia's first GM wheat for drought tolerance. The science forum will also hear about the DPI's focus on adaption to climate change with its Fast Tracking projects.
The forum begins at 10am, with entry cost being $35 but free for VFF delegates.
The VFF grains conference begins at 9am the next day.
A key event in the afternoon is a forum on fertiliser issues, with a panel including Australian Fertiliser Services Association president Wes Wheelhouse, Landmark's fertiliser manager Josh McGregor and Rabobank analyst Adam Tomlinson.
VFF grains group president Russell Amery said farmers were complaining they had been unable to access fertiliser supplies.
