The regional panel system helps ensure that GRDC’s research, development and extension (RD&E) investments deliver gains in profitability to Australian grain growers by providing advice on GRDC investments.

The panels also help identify and prioritise local, regional and national grains industry issues.

The three regional panels play an important role in sourcing feedback from growers and industry about regional production constraints - as well as opportunities - and bringing that information back to GRDC to help guide investment direction.

In addition, the panels interact closely with GRDC’s grower network, farming systems groups, growers, agronomist, advisers, agribusiness and other industry stakeholders in their respective regions.

Northern Panel

Appointed to the Northern Panel for the first time are:

• grower Chris Clyne (Moree, NSW)
• rural banker Adam Tomlinson (Orange, NSW)
• researcher Georgina Pengilley (Tamworth, NSW).

The returning panellists are:

• deputy chair Arthur Gearon (Chinchilla, QLD)
• research pathologist and private consultant Jo White (Maryborough, QLD)
• grower Bruce Watson (Parkes, NSW)
• grower Roy Hamilton (Rand, NSW)
• senior agronomist Peter McKenzie (Quirindi, NSW)
• senior agronomist Graham Spackman (formerly Emerald, QLD)
• grower and agricultural consultant John Minogue (Barmedman, NSW) continues as chair.

GRDC’s acting general manager for crop protection, biosecurity and regulation, Ken Young (Canberra, ACT) is GRDC’s representative on the panel.

Southern Panel

Appointed to the Southern Panel for the first time are:

• research agronomist Andrew Ware (Port Lincoln, SA)
• consultant and agricultural extension specialist Pru Cook (Dimboola, VIC)
• researcher Michelle Watt (Melbourne, VIC)
• grower Michael Treloar (Cummins, SA).

The returning panellists are:

• deputy chair and grower/agronomist Kate Wilson (Hopetoun, VIC)
• grower Michael Chilvers (Nile, TAS)
• consultant Jon Midwood (Inverleigh, VIC)
• grower/agronomist Lou Flohr (Lameroo, SA)
• grower Andrew Russell (Rutherglen, VIC)
• John Bennett (Lawloit, VIC) continues as panel chair.

GRDC’s general manager for genetic and enabling technologies Dr Nicole Jensen (Canberra, ACT) is GRDC’s representative on the panel.

Western Panel

Appointed to the Western Panel for the first time are:

• grower Suzanne Woods (Calingiri, WA)
• grower Gary Lang (Wickepin, WA)
• advisor John Blake (Albany, WA)
• AgriStart managing director Natasha Ayers (Vasse, WA)
• CBH Group’s Richard Williams (Perth, WA)
• wheat breeder Dan Mullan (Perth, WA).

The returning panellists are:

• grower and deputy chair Jules Alvaro (Merredin, WA)
• grower Juliet McDonald (Coorow, WA)
• grower Rohan Ford (Binnu, WA)
• grower Darrin Lee (Mingenew/Dongara, WA) continues as chair.

GRDC general manager of Applied RD&E Peter Carberry (Toowoomba, QLD) is GRDC’s representative on the panel.

For more information, read about each of the regional panels.