As winter crops develop across northern NSW, the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) northern panel is ‘all ears’ as it prepares to tour the region next month.
The annual spring tour will bring the 11-member panel into contact with growers, researchers and advisers as it inspects crops, views GRDC research investments and visits GRDC-funded National Variety Trial sites.
James Clark, GRDC northern panel chair, says the tour is vital for understanding on-the-ground issues that shape how grower levies are invested.
“The panel takes its role and responsibilities when it comes to investing grower and government funds very seriously so every opportunity to see the research in action and speak to growers facing local production issues is welcome,” Mr Clark said.
This year the annual GRDC spring tour will take the panel to Narrabri, Bellata, Gunnedah, Tamworth and Armidale from September 10-13.
“We will discuss both long and short-term investment priorities with growers and listen to feedback they have to offer,” Mr Clark said.
“This two-way exchange of information is one of several ways GRDC keeps informed, but for the northern panel it is vitally important.”
The panel also includes Toowoomba-based wheat breeder and deputy chair, John Sheppard; Dalby grower, Rob Taylor; Newcastle-based cereal chemist, Jodi McLean; Ayr grower Aaron Sanderson; Tamworth-based district agronomist, Loretta Serafin; recently retired Liverpool Plains grower and company manager, Keith Harris; Wellington grower William Martel; Felton grower and qualified agronomist, Vicki Green; Toowoomba-based cereal quality researcher Professor Mark Sutherland; and GRDC executive manager, Steve Thomas.
Boggabri-based GRDC regional grower services manager – north, Sharon O’Keeffe will also join the tour, along with GRDC board member, Jenny Goddard; GRDC senior manager discover Juan Juttner; GRDC senior manager natural resources, Martin Blumenthal; and SARDI honorary fellow, Professor Rob Lewis.
The tour will visit GRDC-funded Northern Grower Alliance farming systems trials, NSW Department of Primary Industries nitrogen and winter agronomy trials, the IA Watson Plant Breeding Institute, Breeza Research Station, as well as several growers on-farm.
For more information on GRDC-funded research, visit www.grdc.com.au or contact James Clark on 0427 545 212 or Sharon O’Keeffe on 0409 279 328.
