LOW grain prices, droughts and plagues of pests might be enough to turn anyone off a career in agriculture.

But it hasn't deterred 170 young men and women who came from across mainland Australia and overseas to attend the Grain Growers Association's third Innovation Generation training forum in Albury last week.

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The next generation of farmers and agribusiness representatives heard from leading farmers, scientists and agribusiness operators about the challenges and opportunities in Australian agriculture.

And the young minds challenged some existing leaders about the future of farming and how the rural industry needed to make careers in agriculture attractive.

Grains Research and Development Corporation climate change project manager Sara Hely said there was strong interest in agricultural careers in rural Australia but some people needed direction.

"There is a really bright generation of people coming through the agricultural industry but don't realise just what exciting careers there are," Dr Hely said.

Rupanyup farmer and Victorian Farmers Federation grains group senior vice-president Andrew Weidemann said the current generation of young farmers was more likely to survive the tough climatic and business conditions facing them.

"The 1982 drought was one of my first (tough) experiences," Mr Weidemann said.

"Thereafter, it didn't matter how you put the crop in the ground, it came up.

"But this generation (of young farmers) will be much tougher because they came through a much harder time than when I first came home on to the land."

Landmark sales and marketing general manager David Timmel said it was important young agriculturalists kept training so they continued to question when challenges emerged.

Murtoa farmer Jess Frankel, 22, attended the conference to further her education in agriculture.

Ms Frankel has taken part in all three of GGA's Innovation Generation annual forums.

She returned to her father's farming business after spending three years studying agricultural science at the University of Melbourne.

"I'm still learning new things and see new information coming through at each conference," she said. Ms Frankel said she was particularly interested in visiting the family seed production business, Baker Seeds.

"They are so passionate about their business," she said.