About Us

Who we are

About Us

The Australasian Grain Science Association (AGSA) provides a forum for Australasian grain scientists, students, nutritionists and others with an interest in grain science, to advance the knowledge and understanding of grain science and the grain industry. It serves individuals in the grain food and allied industries, the agrifood sector, research and education.

Through conferences and other activities, AGSA facilitates exchange of information, networking and communication relevant to the Australian grain industry. Through its awards, AGSA has a long history of recognising outstanding achievement in the grain sciences and allied industries.

Formation of the Australasian Grain Science Association Inc.
In 1950, Chemists employed within the Australia milling, baking and allied industries, government and university laboratories met for the first time to share research and applied science of interest to the grains and baking industry in Australia. They resolved to form an organization to develop standardized methods for testing wheat and flour to improve quality control. The group also agreed to convene an annual conference. At a meeting at the University of NSW in October 1951 a Cereal Chemistry Group was formed under the umbrella of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI). This Group in 1965 became a Division of the RACI and changed its name to the Cereal Chemistry Division (CCD) of the RACI.

Membership of the CCD grew as did attendance at annual conferences and the Division prospered as standardized methods were developed, published and adopted by industry. In 1972 the Division established an award to recognize those who had made significant contributions to the profession and the award was named after Australia’s first cereal Chemist, Fredrick Bickell Guthrie. The RACI CCD, F.B. Guthrie Award was awarded for the first time in 1974. A history of Guthrie and his contributions can be found in many of the Guthrie addresses within the AGSA website.
The 36 chemists who attended the first meeting of the Cereal Chemistry Group in 1950 were identified as the Founders of the Cereal Chemistry Division and an award the RACI CCD Founders Award was created in their honour for significant service to the cereals industry. It was first awarded in 1986 with two original Founders being recipients.

As the Australian cereals industry changed over time, with contraction in the milling and baking industries, research institutes and universities and an increasing interest in grains other than wheat, the leadership of the CCD recognized that a change in direction was needed. A new society, the Australasian Grain Science Association (AGSA) was formed and was incorporated in NSW in 2004. The founding members of AGSA were A B Blakeney, R L Cracknell, L F Derrett, P G Downie, L Mcleod, D M Miskelly, L O’Brien, J F Panozzo and C T Westcott.
The CCD was wound up in 2011 and all awards, records of past conferences, methods and intellectual property were transferred to AGSA.
Recipients of awards when administered by the CCD are listed on the AGSA website. These include:
• F B Guthrie Medal for Cereal Chemistry
• CCD Founders Award
• Life Member Award
• CCD Service Award

AGSA’s charter encompasses all grains as opposed to just cereals, and annual conferences, workshops and online webinars continue to be held. These scientific meetings attract attendees with diverse scientific interests within the grains industry. AGSA’s charter is to foster science and technology leading to a sustainable agricultural and food industry in Australia. To this end, AGSA’s has introduced a travel-award scholarship program to assist postgraduate students to attend the conference and in 2015 introduced the A B Blakeney Early Career Development Scholarship. The award honours the selfless contribution of Anthony Bernard Blakeney to AGSA who was one of the drivers for the formation of AGSA and a strong supporter of students. He was also the inaugural chairman of AGSA.

In 2012 AGSA introduced the E E Bond award recognizing the meritorious contribution to the grains industry within a wide range of non-science activities including technology and sustained service to AGSA.

The role of AGSA is constantly evolving as the grains industry responds to new challenges in a rapidly changing world resulting from climate variability, population growth and a shift from traditional grain-based foods arising from new food trends. The organization welcomes new members and participation from new graduates entering this important field of science and technology.