Brendan Kupke's goal to pursue a career in grains research has been reinforced by being involved in the South Australian Research and Development Institute internship program funded by SAGIT, the GRDC, SARDI and the University of Adelaide.
The University of Adelaide Agricultural Science student grew up on a farm at Bordertown in the state's South East and started the 12-month internship with SARDI in February.
Brendan has already gained valuable field work and trial work experience.
"I've been getting field experience with sowing trials, spraying and fertiliser applications as well as help manage and plan trials," he said.
"Then at Waite, I've been involved in work in the glasshouses and Plant Accelerator so I'm getting a broad view of everything."
"I've been involved in a National Phenology Initiative at Callington, the management of early sown wheat and now I'm doing some work on Dr Kenton Porker's novel agronomy projects where we are looking at other factors to control flowering time besides from sowing date."
"I'm also starting my Honours part time as part of that project, which is great."
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Brendan said starting his Honours project with University of Adelaide, while undertaking the SARDI internship, had been fantastic.
"I've been able to expand a concept study in the glasshouse, trial a lot of different hormones and will be conducting a main experiment looking at its impacts on the different mechanisms that control flowering."
Brendan said the internship had strengthened his interest in following a career in research.
"I have really enjoyed it so far," he said.
"At the start I was doing a lot of field work and now doing a lot with preparation and application of treatments in the field. With my Honours, I am starting to begin some initial pilot experiments as well as the planning around the main experiment which has been interesting.
"I'd like to keep pursuing a career with something like that after this when my Honours are finished next year.
"I love the research side of it and also the field-based work."
SAGIT funds a SARDI intern each year, along with a regional internship with Hart Field Site Group.