March 31, 2003

A Barley Development Officer with the Western Australian Department of Agriculture has been awarded yet again - this time with an award of Excellence by the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (WA).

Following her recent receipt of the Seed of Light Award from the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Barley Development Officer Ros Jettner has once more been recognised for her outstanding contribution to the State's barley industry.

Manager Cropping Systems David Bowran said Ms Jettner had significantly increased the awareness of growers and advisers about grain quality, and its importance to the malting and brewing industries.

"With the support of the Department's barley breeding team, Ms Jettner has been involved in benchmarking the quality characteristics of Australian malting barley against elite breeding lines from all Australian breeding programs undergoing commercial evaluation," Dr Bowran said.

"This has led to increased adoption of management strategies for Western Australian produced barley to achieve optimal protein, grain size and grain brightness.

"Ms Jettner has played an important role in promoting the benefits of growing new varieties such as Gairdner, Baudin and Hamelin through events such as field days, the Crop Update series and even beer tastings."

Dr Bowran said Ms Jettner had also promoted alternate harvesting strategies to reduce the risk of malting barley being downgraded to the feed classification.

"Thanks to Ms Jettner, growers now know that the management of kernel discolouration and high moisture grain on the south coast can be improved by choosing between direct heading, swathing, grain drying, aerated storage and high moisture grain delivery."