Central Queensland grain growers, advisers, researchers and industry stakeholders will have the chance to share the issues and opportunities for farm profitability with the nation's leading research investor in early June.
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is responsible for investing in world-class research, development and extension (RD&E) on behalf of Australian grain growers. Each year, GRDC invests in projects to deliver new and improved crop varieties, farming practices, technologies and capability for the grains sector.
To ensure RD&E investments are developed and deliver outcomes that meet the needs and priorities of industry, GRDC's Northern Region Panel undertakes annual tours of the grain growing areas of Queensland and New South Wales.
In June, the panel will tour Central Queensland (CQ) to meet with researchers at the Central Queensland University (CQU) and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) before engaging with growers, advisers and industry stakeholders from the Rockhampton, Callide/Jambin, Duaringa, Emerald, Capella and Gindie regions.
GRDC Northern Panel chair and NSW grain grower John Minogue said the CQ 'listening tour' was focused on understanding the issues and opportunities facing the region's grains sector.
"The Northern Panel plays a key role in communicating the needs and priorities of growers to GRDC to help inform future research, development and extension (RD&E) investments," Mr Minogue said.
"So we need to understand what is keeping growers awake at night and where they see the opportunities for their region and their industry.
"Understanding the challenges growers are facing is vital to ensuring GRDC investments deliver paddock-ready solutions to production constraints, help reduce production costs and, importantly, increase farm profitability."
Mr Minogue said the CQ tour had been designed to offer industry multiple opportunities to meet face-to-face with the GRDC Northern Panel.
"The panel is made up of growers, agronomists, advisers and researchers so we understand and are part of the industry. This tour is about improving our knowledge of the regionally specific issues facing CQ."
Mr Minogue encouraged those passionate about the CQ grains sector to take the opportunity to meet with the panel.
"If you are a member of the grains industry, we want to hear from you to understand what RD&E could improve things on your farm or for the CQ grains sector more broadly," he said.
Interested growers, advisers, researchers or industry stakeholders can meet with the panel at the following locations:
Wednesday, June 1:
- 9:45am–11:30am: Grower engagement at Ian and Megan Hutching's property, 'Lorraine', Jambin.
- 11:30am–12:00pm: Grower engagement lunch Jambin pub.
- 1:45pm–3:30pm: Grower engagement at Colin Dunne's property at Duaringa.
Thursday, June 2:
- 10:30am–12:30pm: Grower engagement at the Gersbach family property, 'Kurrajong', Capella.
- 1:30pm-3:30pm: Grower engagement at the Sampson family property, 'Glenora Downs', Gindie.
