Field to Food – Science at Work!
by Reanna C. (Year 9)
1. Multiple grains are grown in factories and paddocks around Australia each year. They grow naturally in winter and spring, but can be grown all throughout the year artificially.
2. There is a very rigorous grain selection done out in the field where many grains are tested for their health and use for making food and produce for animals. The grains with the best attributes are then shortlisted for a crossing line, where grains are mixed together.
3. The heads of some grains are removed in the factory. This is so the farmers and manufacturers are in total control and can change the male grains into females if they wish.
4. The grains have bags put over them to bring effects similar to birth control, where the “father” of the grain can be entirely controlled. The bags are put over the grains to stop pollination in certain plants.
5. F1 or F2 plants are the names given to plants in the first few generations after being crossed. Tests are run on these grains to ensure that the proper genes are still in their DNA. The ones that have changed too much or are not growing as they should be are discarded.
6. Thousands of 4sqm plots are maintained to test the many different varieties of grains. Thousands may be tested and only 2 or so released, as only the best quality and the most properly crossed grains are exported. Bags of grain are taken away from the plot and put into machines so they can eliminate the poorly grown ones.
7. There are plots in various places in Australia, so it can be ensured that these crossed grains can grow in different environments and climates.
8. Tens of thousands of grains are screened, and the ones that get through the tests are kept away to be tested once again a year later at different locations around Australia. Machinery is used to help load the grains, and so more complex patterns can be completed by robots that humans may be incapable of.
9. Different sites around Australia have different expectations for quality of grain, as these grains are all sent to different areas where the highest quality may not be necessary.
10. This can change the screening and testing process for certain farmers and manufacturers. There may be a smaller number of tests, fewer grains being tested or a stricter approach to how many are discarded and which grains should be able to pass through and exported.
These facts have been gathered from the following source:
https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/field-to-food-science-at-work/
by Reanna C. (Year 9)
1. Multiple grains are grown in factories and paddocks around Australia each year. They grow naturally in winter and spring, but can be grown all throughout the year artificially.
2. There is a very rigorous grain selection done out in the field where many grains are tested for their health and use for making food and produce for animals. The grains with the best attributes are then shortlisted for a crossing line, where grains are mixed together.
3. The heads of some grains are removed in the factory. This is so the farmers and manufacturers are in total control and can change the male grains into females if they wish.
4. The grains have bags put over them to bring effects similar to birth control, where the “father” of the grain can be entirely controlled. The bags are put over the grains to stop pollination in certain plants.
5. F1 or F2 plants are the names given to plants in the first few generations after being crossed. Tests are run on these grains to ensure that the proper genes are still in their DNA. The ones that have changed too much or are not growing as they should be are discarded.
6. Thousands of 4sqm plots are maintained to test the many different varieties of grains. Thousands may be tested and only 2 or so released, as only the best quality and the most properly crossed grains are exported. Bags of grain are taken away from the plot and put into machines so they can eliminate the poorly grown ones.
7. There are plots in various places in Australia, so it can be ensured that these crossed grains can grow in different environments and climates.
8. Tens of thousands of grains are screened, and the ones that get through the tests are kept away to be tested once again a year later at different locations around Australia. Machinery is used to help load the grains, and so more complex patterns can be completed by robots that humans may be incapable of.
9. Different sites around Australia have different expectations for quality of grain, as these grains are all sent to different areas where the highest quality may not be necessary.
10. This can change the screening and testing process for certain farmers and manufacturers. There may be a smaller number of tests, fewer grains being tested or a stricter approach to how many are discarded and which grains should be able to pass through and exported.
These facts have been gathered from the following source:
https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/field-to-food-science-at-work/