Dr Peter Hayman's leading role in helping the Australian grains industry manage the risk of climate change was recognised today when he became the latest recipient of the Grains Research and Development Corporation's (GRDC) Seed of Light Award.

Principal scientist for climate applications with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Dr Hayman had made a significant contribution to climate change awareness in southern Australia according to GRDC Southern Regional Panel chair David Shannon.

"Every year since 1999 the GRDC has presented the Seed of Light Award to recognise excellence in grains research and development communications," Mr Shannon said.

"Dr Hayman has played a vital role in raising awareness in the grains industry about climate change. He has been working with growers, scientists and the industry to communicate the findings and outcomes of the GRDC's Managing Climate Variability Program, and to develop communication efforts between the program's four climate risk projects.

"This work has included the development of tools for farmers to manage the impact of climate variability in south-eastern Australia. The climate has always been the number one factor affecting grain production, and Dr Hayman has played a vital role in helping us to understand it better.

"He is a highly effective communicator and producers in Australia's southern grains region, along with the scientific community and beyond, have welcomed his insights into the climate. His work also extends to the viticultural and natural resource management sectors, with his expertise covering the assessment and management of climate risk in agricultural systems, agronomy and decision analysis."

Mr Shannon gave the Seed of Light Award to Dr Hayman at a surprise presentation at the Waite campus of the University of Adelaide this afternoon.

"Research plays a vital role in improving grain production and sustainability, and one of the most important aspects of research is to communicate outcomes in a way that accelerates the adoption of better varieties and better practices by producers," he said. "Dr Hayman's work is a stellar example of this effort and he is a worthy recipient of the GRDC Seed of Light Award."