Western Australia
February 27, 2015
Grains Research and Development Corporation’s western region Seed of Light award recipient Blakely Paynter, of the Department of Agriculture and Food, is committed to adoption change within the barley industry
The Department of Agriculture and Food’s well-known barley researcher Blakely Paynter received the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s western region Seed of Light award at this week’s Agribusiness Crop Updates.
Department Grains Industry Executive Director Mark Sweetingham said Mr Paynter was a deserving recipient.
“Blakely has an infectious passion for the barley industry in which he has played a key role over the last 27 years,” Dr Sweetingham said.
“He has the wonderful ability of being able to engage key stakeholders to drive research to meet the needs of the whole supply chain.
“In addition, he is an executive member of the Grain Industry Association of WA Barley Council and is well known throughout the industry, not only here but across the country and internationally.”
Mr Paynter said he had needed to adapt to modern communication channels which had changed enormously over the years.
“When I first started we would go out to farms and speak to growers in person and attend field days,” he said.
“Now with the advances in digital communication, web and twitter allow information to be distributed quickly to more people.
“Barley is a complex grain with each malting variety released needing broad adaption and individual segregation. It is only through continual practice change that growers as well as the whole supply chain will be able to continue to be successful.”
Mr Paynter accredited his success to a number of mentors that had challenged him over the years, particularly when he was an impressionable university graduate.
“I was encouraged to challenge and explore all possibilities and continually look for improvements and answer key questions. It is these skills along with being able to tailor information to individuals that I think has enabled me to be in the position I’m in today.”
The annual Grains Research and Development Corporation award, started in 1999, has been presented to nine other department staff, highlighting the important role the department plays in communicating key research outcomes to growers and the wider grains industry.
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