Forty-nine students from leading Australian and American universities will converge in Temora, NSW, next week for GrainGrowers’ 10th Australian Universities Crops Competition (AUCC). Some of the top agricultural students from around the world will be competing to win the title.
The hotly contested three-day competition from 25-27 September will be held at FarmLink Research Station and is designed to test competitors' theoretical and practical knowledge of grain production and the broader industry through both written examinations and tests in the field.
Students will be expected to complete a range of tasks, such as identifying grain seeds, classifying common weeds and diseases in a crop, preparing a business case for growing a particular crop, assessing yield potential, making crop management recommendations and testing grain receivals. GrainGrowers’ CEO David McKeon said that the AUCC exposed competitors to all aspects of successful grain production and the broader supply chain.
“We’re keen to ensure these future agribusiness professionals have the chance to test their knowledge and skillset in real life scenarios. Competing in such events, will stand them in good stead as they enter the industry and will help drive future productivity and profitability gains for Australian grain farmers,” said Mr McKeon.
“In addition, we hold a careers expo during the event which is a great opportunity for the students to learn about the wide range of careers within the grains industry, to meet with businesses that have graduate positions available, and to speak with industry professionals about their future careers,” he said.
Each university can enter one team. Awards are presented to the top three individuals and the overall winning university. Apart from the prestige of winning, the prize for the three individual winners from this year’s competition will be competing in the Collegiate Crops Competition in Chicago and Kansas, US in November, sponsored by GrainGrowers.
“The competition is a great opportunity for university students to come together, test their skillset outside the classroom against the best agricultural and agribusiness students across Australia and the US, while building networks with other students and meeting prospective employers in the industry,” said Mr McKeon.
“I look forward to seeing this year’s competitors come together and compete next week.”
2018 Competing Universities: Curtin University, WA La Trobe University, VIC University of Sydney, NSW Charles Sturt University, NSW University of Western Australia, WA Kansas State University, US Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), University of Minnesota Crookston, US Iowa State University, US
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GrainGrowers would like to thank AUCC’s sponsors: GRDC, Kalyx, Delta Agribusiness, Landmark, AusWest Seeds, Temora Shire Council, and Agricultural Societies Council of NSW. The competition’s success to date would not have been possible without the support of these sponsors.
If you would like to attend and take photo’s of the event, please contact Chris Walker at chris.walker@graingrowers.com.au to arrange a suitable time.