THE near future of canola farming could see better prices for producers and new processing industries in rural Australia.
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These and other exciting prospects are the purpose behind the $2 million Functional Grains Centre (FGC) which opened last week in Charles Sturt University's National Life Sciences Hub in Wagga.
CSU has been doing grains research for 15 years and in recent years this has expanded from rice to canola, wheat and pulses.
FGC director Chris Blanchard said one of the primary aims of the centre is to “transform the grains industry from a low value commodity based industry into a high value food and feed industry”.
One of the ways scientists are currently trying to reach this end involves exploring how to turn canola waste into a high value product.
Mr Blanchard believes protein-rich canola meal could be improved as animal feed and may have applications in the pharmaceutical industry and aquaculture market.
“Ultimately this may lead to new canola varieties that will attract higher prices due to their improved 'functionality' and possible new processing industries in regional Australia,” Mr Blanchard said.
He stated the benefits of the current research could be seen within the next five to ten years.
The new centre also allows for the training of at least 10 new grain scientists with access to the latest equipment and close industry links.
“This will ensure research outputs are directly related to industry problems,” Mr Blanchard said.