Respected Western Australian legume researcher, Dr Ron Yates, has been recognised for his contribution to science and mentoring with the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC) 2026 Seed of Light Award.
The experienced research scientist has spent more than 33 years with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) examining how legumes improve soil nitrogen and boost crop production.
Dr Yates works closely with growers, advisers, and partner organisations to pursue research outcomes that are practical, regionally relevant, and can be readily adopted.
“I want to congratulate Dr Ron Yates on his years of service and research to the grains industry,” said Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis.
“He is a dedicated DPIRD scientist and a worthy recipient of the Seed of Light Award.
“Dr Yates’ work, across more than three decades, has contributed to helping department research realise the productive potential of WA’s ancient landscape, which produced a record grain harvest this season.
“By working together with growers and industry, our passionate scientists – like Dr Yates – are striving to continually enhance the long-term profitability and resilience of the WA grains industry.”
Based at Murdoch University, Dr Yates leads research and guides several honours and doctoral students to advance the understanding of legumes in crop rotations in WA broadacre environments.
Recently, in collaboration with the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration and the CSIRO, he supported the development and evaluation of harvestable annual legume options and trials to get a better understanding of the benefits of legumes in rotation.
Dr Yates is one of almost 20 department recipients of the Seed of Light and Seed of Gold award since 1999, which acknowledges the outstanding contribution, dedication and commitment of individuals communicating research outcomes in the grains industry.
Also honoured by the sector this week was Southern Cross grain grower, Callum Wesley has was named the 2026 GRDC Emerging Leader – West for his strong advocacy for grower-led research and his role in progressing innovative cropping practices in low rainfall environments.
Farming in Western Australia’s eastern wheatbelt, Mr Wesley is a current Nuffield Scholar, former GRDC Regional Cropping Solutions Network (RCSN) member, former member of the GRDC Soils Constraints West steering committee and has been closely involved in GRDC National Grower Network (NGN) activities.
He has been instrumental in prompting and supporting research into long coleoptile wheat and deep sowing systems in response to changing rainfall patterns.
His on-farm trials and collaboration with researchers helped catalyse GRDC investment in both regional and national projects investigating long coleoptile wheat genetics, agronomy and farming systems adaptation.
