Australia
April 20, 2026
Callum Wesley, Emerging Leader – West.- Photo: Evan Collis
Each year, GRDC recognises the outstanding contributions and commitment of individuals to the Australian grains industry. Recipients are selected by the GRDC regional panels for their leadership and excellence in developing, communicating and extending grains research.
The contributions, commitment and excellence in grains of 6 individuals have been celebrated during the 2026 GRDC Grains Research Updates.
The Seed of Light is a regional award that recognises an individual for excellence in supporting the uptake of research outcomes, practices or technologies by growers and advisers through communication and/or extension.
The Emerging Leader award recognises a grains industry professional with less than 10 years’ experience who has already contributed to the future of the industry and is emerging as an industry leader in their field.
2026 GRDC Northern Panel awards
Seed of Light: Dr Lisle Snyman
Dr Lisle Snyman is the Principal Plant Pathologist with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. Her work focuses on foliar diseases in winter cereals, particularly net form net blotch in barley.
In presenting the award, Northern Panel Chair Arthur Gearon said Dr Synman had done exceptional research, and her ability to translate complex grains pathology was invaluable to growers.
“It is our job as researchers to make sure that what we do has application at the farm gate – that the information gets to where it is needed,” Dr Snyman said.
Alex Conway, Emerging Leader – North. Photo: Melissa Marino
Emerging Leader: Alex Conway
Well-known for his appearances in videos on grain storage, Toowoomba-based Alex Conway has extensive practical experience, which has helped shape his grower-focused approach to extension.
Mr Gearon said Mr Conway represented the next generation of leadership in grains extension. He described him as passionate about his work and committed to the growers he serves.
“It’s rewarding to know the work I’m doing is making a positive contribution to the industry and supporting growers in a meaningful way,” Mr Conway said.
2026 GRDC Western Panel awards
Seed of Light: Dr Ron Yates
Dr Ron Yates is a Principal Research Scientist with the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
A member of the Legume Rhizobium Sciences research group at Murdoch University, Dr Yates has played a leading role in advancing crop and pasture legumes and optimising biological nitrogen fixation in Australian grain farming systems. Western Panel Chair Gary Lang said that Dr Yates’s ability to connect rigorous science with real-world farming systems had delivered enduring benefits for WA grain growers.
“This recognition has prompted me to reflect on more than 33 years of agricultural research, how fortunate I have been to choose a career I genuinely love, and the experiences that have shaped my research and contributions to agriculture,” Dr Yates said.
Emerging Leader: Callum Wesley
Southern Cross grain grower Callum Wesley was recognised at the GRDC Update in Perth for his advocacy of grower-led research and innovative cropping practices in low-rainfall environments.
Mr Wesley has been instrumental in prompting and supporting research into long coleoptile wheat and deep sowing systems that have influenced wheat genetics, agronomy and farming systems adaptation.
“When you can achieve above-average yields with below-average rainfall, it emphasises how important research and adoption are, and it inspires me to keep pushing the envelope,” Mr Wesley said.
Dr Rick Llewellyn, Seed of Light – South. Photo: GRDC
2026 GRDC Southern Panel awards
Seed of Light: Dr Rick Llewellyn
Dr Rick Llewellyn, CSIRO’s Senior Principal Research Scientist, has led the development of the ADOPT model to help researchers understand, evaluate and predict the likely uptake of agricultural innovations. He is also co-lead on GRDC’s national risk management initiative RiskWi$e.
Southern Panel Chair Andrew Russell said that Dr Llewellyn was synonymous with agricultural research in the southern region and understood how to get a message across to growers without diluting the information.
“I really did get a surprise to receive this award – it means a lot, but it has a lot to do with being able to work as part of some great teams,” said Dr Llewellyn.
“GRDC, together with the whole industry, provides an enormous number of opportunities to communicate, listen and collaborate – and being part of an organisation like CSIRO at the Waite Campus research hub gives you a whole new level of opportunity.”
Andrew Russell, Southern Panel Chair (L) presents Dr James Manson with the Emerging Leader – South award. Photo: Deborah Hill
Emerging Leader: Dr James Manson
At the Updates in Bendigo, CSIRO researcher Dr James Manson was recognised for his research and extension work at Southern Farming Systems on annual ryegrass management and faba bean agronomy and nodulation.
“To be recognised with the Emerging Leader award is extremely encouraging,” Dr Manson said.
“At this point, I feel like I have found my groove in my career path, so this is really encouraging that I am on the right track.”
Dr Manson was recently awarded a GRDC Early-career Postdoctoral Fellowship to explore cost-effective critical benchmarks in crops to explain yield response and management in wheat and barley.
More information: GRDC webpage: RD&E capacity and ability – awards
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