Centre for Crop and Disease Management

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Centre for Crop and Disease Management

With support from Curtin University and GRDC, we're helping to reduce the impact of crop disease

The Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM) is a national research centre co-supported by Curtin University and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), investing $100 million over a five-year period. Launched in 2014, the centre’s major aim is to reduce the economic impact of crop disease for Australian growers via three main research themes:

Fungicide resistance: by develop

ing the necessary tools and strategies for industry to prevent and minimise its occurence and impact. Molecular genetics: by providing breeders with genetic tools to breed cereal, oilseed and pulse varieties with improved disease resistance. Farming systems: by developing economical and adoptable Integrated Disease Management (IDM) strategies for managing the evolution of resistance to fungicides.

31/08/2026

🌾 CCDM at Newdegate Field Day! 🌾

Heading to the Newdegate Field Day? Come and visit the CCDM team in the GRDC tent.

Our researchers will be on hand to discuss the latest grains research and share practical information on crop disease management and productivity.

🔬 Learn about current research impacting Australian grain growers
🌱 Get practical disease management advice
🎯 Chat with researchers about crop health and productivity
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Enjoy hands-on activities for kids and families

Whether you're a grower, adviser, student or simply interested in the science behind Australian grain production, we'd love to meet you.

📍 Find us in the GRDC tent at the Newdegate Field Day.

Grains Research and Development Corporation Curtin University

28/08/2026

🌾 That's a wrap on Dowerin Field Days 2026! 🌾
Two fantastic days connecting with growers, agronomists, researchers and industry partners, and sharing how CCDM research is helping protect Australia's grain industry.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by the GRDC tent, as well as GRDC and all the organisations and staff who helped make the tent such a valuable hub for knowledge sharing and collaboration.

We're grateful to our CCDM team for their hard work throughout the event and look forward to continuing the conversations sparked at Dowerin.

📍 Next stop: Newdegate Field Days! We look forward to seeing you there next week.

Grains Research and Development Corporation Curtin University Dowerin Machinery Field Days

27/08/2026

🌾 Day 1 of Dowerin Field Days was a fantastic start!

The CCDM team enjoyed connecting with growers, agronomists, researchers and industry representatives, sharing how our research is helping protect Australia's grain industry from crop diseases.

A big thank you to our staff for representing our Centre and showcasing the impact of CCDM research.

If you're attending Dowerin, be sure to stop by and say hello!

Grains Research and Development Corporation Curtin University Dowerin Machinery Field Days

21/08/2026

🌾 Sharing CCDM research🌾
This week, several CCDM researchers travelled to Geelong, Victoria, to present their work at the 2026 Australian Barley Technical Symposium (ABTS).

Through a mix of presentations and research posters, our team shared the latest findings aimed at protecting Australia's grain industry from crop diseases and improving disease management for growers.

A big congratulations to everyone who represented CCDM and contributed to discussions with researchers, students and industry representatives from across the globe.

Grains Research and Development Corporation Curtin University

20/08/2026

🌾 Esperance growers – how’s the season progressing for you? 🌱
In this video, hear from Sean Randell (Esperance Private Agronomy, WA) and Mark Gibberd (CCDM Director) as they unpack the current issues of the season and what growers can be considering.🚜

Sean says the season is progressing well along WA's south coast, although heavy rainfall in June caused waterlogging in some coastal areas. Crops that established before the rain have generally performed well. Disease pressure has remained relatively low so far, but growers are being encouraged to keep monitoring crops as the season progresses and conditions change.🦠

📖 Read the full seasonal update here: https://buff.ly/wy8lmXT

📩 Sign up to the CCDM Spotlight newsletter to catch the next update: https://buff.ly/RjcSHk2

Grains Research and Development Corporation, Curtin University

18/08/2026

🌏 Seasonal Update – August 2026 🌱
As winter draws to a close across much of Australia, many grain-growing regions are reporting favourable crop conditions and strong yield potential. However, limited rainfall in some areas, increasing disease pressure, and ongoing challenges accessing key fungicides are creating uncertainty as crops move into critical growth stages.

CCDM has gathered updates from across Australia to provide a snapshot of how the season is tracking:
- Strong yield potential across many regions
- Variable rainfall and moisture conditions
- Increasing disease pressure as crops develop
- Fungicide availability challenges affecting management decisions

Hear directly from agronomists on what they’re seeing in the paddock and CCDM Director Mark Gibberd’s response:

🌾 Jake Rademacher — Growers Supplies, Warooka (SA)
🌾 Elizabeth Lobsey — Meteora Agronomic Consulting, Dalby (Qld)
🌾 Sean Randell — Esperance Private Agronomy, Esperance (WA)
🌾 Emma Ayliffe — Summit Ag, Condobolin & Lake Cargelligo (NSW)
🌾 Brenden Smith — Western AG, Ballarat (Vic)
🌾 Mark Gibberd — CCDM Director

Explore how each region is tracking, the key disease risks for the remainder of the season, and what growers should be considering as crops head towards spring.

👉 Read the full update here: https://buff.ly/wy8lmXT

👉 Stay up to date by subscribing to CCDM Spotlight: https://buff.ly/RjcSHk2

Grains Research and Development Corporation Curtin University

17/08/2026

🌾 CCDM at Dowerin Machinery Field Day! 🌾
Heading to the Dowerin Field Day? Come and say hello to the CCDM team in the GRDC tent.

🔬 Learn about the latest grains research
🌱 Get practical disease management information and advice
🎯 Chat with our researchers about crop health and productivity
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Enjoy hands-on activities for kids and families

Whether you're a grower, adviser, student or simply curious about the science behind Australian grain production, we'd love to meet you.

📍 August 26 & 27
📍 Visit us in the GRDC tent at Dowerin Field Days.

Grains Research and Development Corporation Curtin University Curtin Molecular and Life Sciences

14/08/2026

🎓 Year 11 students explore agricultural science in action 🌾
Yesterday, CCDM welcomed Year 11 students and teachers from Cunderdin Ag College for a visit to learn more about the Centre and the research helping protect Australia's grain industry.

Throughout the day, students heard from CCDM scientists about their research, gaining insight into how plant disease surveillance and crop protection are helping tackle real-world challenges facing grain growers. They also toured the Centre's field trial sites, getting a first hand look at research in action.

The visit provided an opportunity for students to explore career pathways in agricultural science and research. It was fantastic to see their enthusiasm and curiosity as they discovered how cutting-edge science is supporting Australia's grains industry.

A special thank you to from Curtin STEM Outreach for helping organise the visit.

Thank you to the students and teachers from WA College of Agriculture – Cunderdin for spending some time with us. We hope the experience sparked new ideas and inspiration for future careers in science. 🌱
Grains Research and Development Corporation, Curtin University Curtin STEM Outreach

06/08/2026

🌟 CCDM Stars on the Gold Coast! 🌟
This week, a number of CCDM staff and students presented their research through presentations and posters at The Australian Crop Breeders (ACB) Breeders Week on the sunny Gold Coast.

It was a fantastic opportunity to share research, connect with fellow researchers and industry, and showcase the work being done across the Centre.

Here are some of the CCDM attendees captured in the spotlight.

Grains Research and Development Corporation Curtin University Australian Crop Breeders

03/08/2026

🔬 EOI extended: CCDM Nanopore Sequencing Workshop 2026

Good news! The Expression of Interest (EOI) period for the CCDM Nanopore Sequencing Workshop 2026 has been extended until 1 September 2026.

CCDM, in partnership with ANU, is hosting a three-day intensive Nanopore Sequencing Workshop from 17-19 November 2026 at Curtin University (Bentley Campus, Perth).

This hands-on workshop will cover:
• Current wet-lab sequencing techniques
• Bioinformatics and data analysis
• Beginner and advanced training streams tailored to experience levels

Building on our successful 2023 workshop, this program is designed around your learning needs, with EOI responses directly shaping the final content.

🎓 Open to students and researchers across disciplines
💰 Registration: $500 (with limited bursaries available)
📅 EOIs now close: 1 September 2026
📩 Applicants will be notified in early September with a full program outline and registration details.

Spaces are limited, with only 70 places available across wet- and dry-lab components.

👉 Submit your Expression of Interest: https://buff.ly/40UXAwg

Curtin University, The Australian National University

Address

Curtin University, Kent Street
Perth, WA
6102

Website

http://www.ccdm.com.au/

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