GRDC Grower Relations Manager – West, Lizzie von Perger, says the seven NGN forums will enable GRDC to be responsive to local issues and to create a stronger and more direct connection with growers, advisers and researchers. Image: GRDC

The research needs and priorities of Western Australian grain growers will be the focus of upcoming forums being held across the grainbelt.

GRDC's National Grower Network (NGN) provides a vital link between on-ground issues and research investment.

GRDC is hosting a series of grower forums in June, July and August, beginning in Quairading on June 28, designed to capture grass-roots ideas, as well as share the latest locally relevant research outcomes.

GRDC Grower Relations Manager – West, Lizzie von Perger, says the seven forums will enable GRDC to be responsive to local issues and to create a stronger and more direct connection with a broad base of growers, advisers and researchers.

“The facilitated forums will be interactive, enabling participants to share their thoughts on priority areas for investment of grower levies,” Ms von Perger says.

“The NGN has been developed to create a touchpoint for growers and industry to connect directly with GRDC. This is a genuine opportunity for growers to have a say when it comes to their research, development and extension (RD&E) needs and priorities on-farm; it is a ground-up approach to information gathering.”

“We encourage growers, advisors and researchers to get involved and take advantage of the opportunity to influence world-class research that betters their industry.”

Events will include free refreshments and dinner that families are welcome to join for, and will be held at the following locations:

• Quairading – 28 June
• Dowerin – 19 July
• Bencubbin – 20 July
• Burracoppin – 21 July
• Binnu – 1 August
• Gairdner – 17 August
• Salmon Gums – 18 August.

Guest speakers across the forums include:

• Allan Rattey, InterGrain, a new era for oat breeding (Quairading and Dowerin)
• Jean Galloway, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), canola disease management, including new sclerotinia research (Quairading)
• Andrew Fletcher, CSIRO, Fallow modelling (Bencubbin and Burracoppin)
• Darren Hughes, Laconik, Economics of fallow, Nitrogen Carryover Project (Bencubbin, Burracoppin, Binnu)
• Philip Honey, Stirlings to Coast Farmers, Sub Surface Drainage Project (Gairdner).

Details on additional speakers will be available on the event listings as confirmed.

More information: to register (for catering purposes), visit the GRDC events page, contact GRDC's Western Office, western@grdc.com.au, 08 9230 4600.