Grain growers in the southern cropping region are invited to provide the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) with ideas to advance their industry.
The GRDC’s southern region Grower Network – previously known as the Regional Cropping Solutions Network – is seeking input from growers, advisers and others in the grains industry to help inform investment in grains research, development and extension (RD&E).
The Grower Network is conducting a survey about opportunities to increase grower profitability.
GRDC Grower Relations Manager – South, Courtney Ramsey, says the Grower Network and the GRDC each year host local forums across the region to gather information around opportunities for improving profit, however, COVID-19 restrictions have made this year’s planned face-to-face meetings difficult.
“Instead, we’re seeking valued input from growers, advisers and others via a quick eight question online survey which will support the Grower Network and the GRDC in capturing issues that impact on farm profitability,” Ms Ramsey says.
“Growers’ ideas and issues collected as part of this initiative will provide another mechanism to help ensure issues are well understood by the GRDC to inform investments in targeted grains RD&E.”
The southern Grower Network is co-ordinated by Belinda Cay (left) and Rebecca Jeisman, from AgCommunicators. Photo: AgCommunicators.
The southern Grower Network is co-ordinated by experienced consultants Belinda Cay and Rebecca Jeisman, from AgCommunicators. The Grower Network is split into three rainfall zone-based groups to help capture specific sub-regional issues. Each rainfall zone is represented by 15 members (growers, advisers, researchers, agribusiness) with broad geographical representation and diverse skill sets.
Members meet regularly to identify and prioritise regional constraints and opportunities and provide this important information back to the GRDC. Ideas collected through the online survey will be presented at these meetings for discussion and prioritisation.
Ms Ramsey says survey respondents are encouraged to include specific details about the frequency, cost and area impacted by the key issues they identify.
“This detailed information will help to inform the RD&E investment portfolio and ensure those investments have maximum impact on-farm.”
The ‘ground-up’ Grower Network initiative is just one of the ways the GRDC consults with southern region growers and other industry stakeholders. The GRDC Southern Region Panel also plays a crucial role in helping to inform the GRDC’s RD&E investment portfolio, and the GRDC’s regional and national staff are integral in consulting with growers and industry.
The GRDC’s Grower Network is a national initiative – it also operates in the northern and western cropping regions – that is designed to enhance the corporation’s industry engagement and to ensure consistency in ideas capture, reporting and communication.
More information about the southern Grower Network, including the list of members and key contact details is available.
For more information about the online survey, contact Courtney Ramsey at the GRDC on 0428 274018 or via courtney.ramsey@grdc.com.au, or Belinda Cay on (08) 8332 3277 or via belinda.cay@agcommunicators.com.au