Western Australian grain growers will be represented by a new-look Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Western Region Panel which has been appointed for the next two years.
The GRDC Board has announced the panel, which comprises two new and seven returning members, who together will help guide priorities for research, development and extension (RD&E) investments to deliver enduring profitability to grain growers.
Appointed to the Western Region Panel for the first time are: experienced grain grower Nick Gillett from Bencubbin; and progressive grain grower and industry leader John Young from Calingiri.
GRDC Chair John Woods said the incoming panel members brought a diversity of skillsets and knowledge which would complement the experience of returning members.
“The GRDC Board was highly impressed with the calibre of applicants, and this reflects the industry-wide value and respect placed on the GRDC Regional Panel system,” he said.
“What we were looking for was a balance of expertise and experience with a geographic spread that represented the grains industry and could offer considered and insightful advice on industry needs and priorities.”
Mr Woods said the GRDC Regional Panel system played a critical role identifying and prioritising local, regional and national grains industry issues informed by their industry networks and firsthand understanding.
“We are really confident that we have landed with a panel that will help GRDC continue to deliver innovative, and targeted, as well as strategic and transformational RD&E investments,” he said.
In welcoming the incoming members, GRDC Western Panel Chair Darrin Lee said it was also timely to recognise the significant time, effort and commitment of those panel members who were stepping down after effectively representing their industry.
“We say farewell to my longstanding deputy chair Jules Alvaro and well-known researcher John Blake, who have both made outstanding contributions to the grains industry through their involvement with the GRDC Western Region Panel,” Mr Lee said.
“Their insight, experience and understanding of the issues and constraints facing western Australian grain growers helped to ensure that GRDC RD&E investments were developed and designed to meet the on-farm needs of growers as well as address some of the challenges beyond the farm gate.
“On behalf of the western panel and the broader GRDC organisation I would like to say a very genuine thank you for their commitment to the cause they leave our state and this region’s grain growers in a better position thanks to some great RD&E.”
The returning panellists are: Perth-based agronomist Craig Brown; Esperance agronomist Quenten Knight; Perth-based wheat breeder Daniel Mullan; Wickepin grain grower Gary Lang; Coorow grain grower Juliet McDonald; Perth-based researcher Richard Williams; and Calingiri grain grower Suzanne Woods. Mr Lee continues as Chair.
One of the first commitments of the new Panel will be the annual GRDC spring tour. This tour involves travelling to meet with regional growers, advisers and researchers, to understand the opportunities and constraints facing different areas of the western region.
For more information on the GRDC Panels and GRDC investments.