The research priorities of Western Australian grain growers will be the focus of upcoming National Grower Network (NGN) forums being held across the grainbelt.
The NGN is the Grains Research and Development Corporation's (GRDC) grassroots investment mechanism that ensures grower voices directly shape research, development and extension (RD&E) priorities.
Kicking off in Cadoux, NGN forums will run in July and August and will bring together growers, advisers and industry professionals to contribute ideas and raise local issues directly with GRDC.
- Cadoux, 30 July, Cadoux Traders, 3-7pm
- Latham, 31 July, Latham Golf Club, 3-7pm. This forum will be combined with CBH
- Grass Patch, 6 August, Grass Patch Hall, 3-7pm
- Gnowangerup, 7 August, Gnowangerup CRC, 3-7pm
- Yealering, 8 August, Yealering Hall, 7-11am
Dinner and refreshments or breakfast and coffee will be provided at all forums.
GRDC grower relations manager Luke Dawson said the forums were an opportunity for growers to hear the latest results from GRDC's investment in their region, as well as contribute ideas and issues to inform new research.
"The NGN enables GRDC to be responsive to local issues and create a stronger and more direct connection with a broad base of growers, advisers and researchers," Mr Dawson said.
It's a ground-up approach to information gathering, and an opportunity for growers and industry to have a say when it comes to their RD&E priorities. In addition to contributing ideas to inform future investment, the forums also feature guest speakers who provide the latest research outcomes from projects in the local area, ensuring growers are aware of new insights, approaches, tools and technologies that they can adopt on-farm.
The series features an impressive list of guest speakers, including:
- Chris O'Callaghan, Liebe Group, 2025 Very early sown canola trial
- Trevor Lucas, Head of Sustainability and Strategic Insights for CBH Marketing and Trading
- David Cook, SEPWA, Local N banking trials and RiskWi$e
- Benedict Arthur, Murdoch University, Harvestable annual legume options (HALO) project
All growers, advisers and industry representatives are welcome to attend and contribute to these free-of-charge forums. Registration is essential.
