An opportunity to contribute to cutting edge research for Australian grain growers, and in turn bolster on-farm profitability is being offered to the agricultural sector's most passionate, collaborative and leadership-focused growers, advisers and industry stakeholders.
Applications are now open for the Grains Research and Development Corporation's (GRDC) Regional Panel Chair positions in the northern and southern regions.
GRDC is a world leading grains research organisation, responsible for planning, investing in and overseeing research, development and extension (RD&E) to create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers. The northern region covers Queensland and New South Wales, while the southern region extends through South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
Regional panels provide a vital link between the broader grains sector and GRDC, and help to identify, prioritise and support RD&E investments that address regional constraints and opportunities impacting on-farm profitability.
GRDC Board Chair and Goondiwindi grain grower, John Woods, said the regional panel system plays a pivotal role in ensuring GRDC invested in research that delivers for growers today and into the future.
"GRDC's primary focus is investing in RD&E that contributes to the enduring profitability of Australian grain growers," Mr Woods said.
"The regional panels play an important role engaging with and listening to growers, advisers, researchers and industry stakeholders to understand the different constraints and opportunities that are influencing farm returns and bring that information back to GRDC.
"As an organisation, GRDC will invest $190 million on behalf of grain growers this financial year to drive the discovery, development and delivery of world-class innovation to the Australian grains sector and the wider economy so how we make those investment decisions is critical.
"What we are seeking in regional panel chairs are informed, measured, capable leaders with strong connections into industry, an in-depth understanding of the grains sector and the willingness and time to make a difference when it comes to contributing to RD&E."
Mr Woods said the chairs would be responsible for leading diverse regional panels, which comprise grain growers, agronomists, researchers, agri-professionals and industry stakeholders.
"We want broad minded, innovative applicants with a strong interest in driving collaboration across our industry, in particular working with growers to understand their concerns, and informing RD&E investment that can help address their issues," he said.
Applications for these key GRDC positions close on April 22, 2022. Successful applicants will start September 1, 2022 with appointments for an initial two years.
