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Research & development

We are committed to supporting and participating in research and development projects in Australia. These projects help Australia’s quality grain remain competitive in the global grain industry.

 

The Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre

Since 2012 we have provided funding to the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (PBCRC) for research into phosphine use. Phosphine is the dominant fumigant in the Australian grain industry to ensure insect-free grain to meet domestic and international end-user demands.

An increasing number of phosphine-resistant grain pests are compromising the chemical’s efficacy. This has prompted the grain industry to gain a better understanding of how it works to ensure its long-term viability.

The PBCRC aims to improve fumigation efficiencies and secure new strategies to overcome resistant-insect populations.

Some of our partnership projects with the PBCRC include:

  • Capacity Building and Stored Grain Research
  • Ecology of Sitophilus and Cryptolestes species
  • An integrated approach to manage pests and resistance to phosphine in stored grain
  • CRC impact: grain industry delivery sites
  • Delivery and adoption of nitrogen/low oxygen and nitrogen and phosphine technology for the management of grain storage pests and grain quality

Innovation in Grain Classification

Viterra has been working collaboratively with the grains industry and an equipment manufacturer, on the development of an image analysis instrument for the objective quality assessment of grain. Viterra is supporting the innovative development of this instrument to suit the major various classification categories for wheat and barley.