Seven years ago, a forward-thinking mixed farmer from southern New South Wales applied to become a GRDC panel member to ensure growers’ needs were put first

When Roy Hamilton reflects on his time as a GRDC panel member, he says he has most enjoyed working with like-minded people to help shape the direction of Australia’s grains research, development and extension.

The optimistic mixed farmer runs a 4400-hectare farm near Rand, New South Wales, with his family.

Seven years ago, he applied to become a GRDC panel member to ensure growers’ needs were prioritised.

“I thought GRDC was great, but I wanted to ensure it prioritised communicating with southern NSW grain growers, so I applied for a panel position, attended an interview and was appointed,” Mr Hamilton says.

“I have always been interested in grains research development and extension. We have hosted many trials and are always trying different ideas on our farm.”

Peer learning

Another of his passions is grower-to-grower learning; when he joined the panel, he wanted to see improvements in this area.

“I thought GRDC could enhance how they engaged with growers and offer more opportunities for growers to learn from each other,” he says.

“GRDC has moved a long way in that direction by having most staff regionally based and National Grower Network meetings held regularly around the region, allowing growers to share on-farm challenges and opportunities.”

Rewarding job

Mr Hamilton says his time as a panel member has been rewarding. He has devoted about 25 days a year to the work. Most panel meetings last one to two days, with four to five meetings yearly. Investment proposals
are sent to him for review two weeks before each meeting.

He says panel members discuss proposed investments at meetings and then advise GRDC.

I see my role as helping to ground-truth investments to ensure they are relevant to growers. When I read a proposal, I want to know when growers will see a return from the investment.

Mr Hamilton has balanced long-term ‘blue-sky’ research of national interest with short-term projects of practical benefits for a subregion. This balance is enhanced in spring when panel members and staff tour one part of NSW or Queensland to visit growers, examine local trials and discuss RD&E gaps.

People valued

Mr Hamilton has enjoyed working with GRDC’s staff: “Their intellect and passion for the betterment of growers is strong, and it’s energising to catch up with them.”

He has valued working with other panellists to help draft GRDC’s five-year investment plan, provide advice on investment proposals, and hear from researchers about project progress. “For example, we have passionate researchers trying to understand our climate volatility better, and others are trying to help overcome our soil constraints,” Mr Hamilton says.

“It’s great to hear from farming systems researchers and pre-breeders looking for ways to germinate and establish and grow viable crops on minimal rain.”

Industry meetings

Another benefit has been the professional development opportunities, including leading discussions at research and business updates.

“These are an excellent opportunity to guide discussion at question time,” he says.

“Industry meetings allow panel members to listen to growers, advisers and researchers, and I’m pleased GRDC has enhanced its feedback loop by appointing regionally based grower relations managers.”

A wide lens

Mr Hamilton says two requirements for a panel member’s job are time and grains industry experience. “As a farmer, it is easy to become entrenched in your own world,” he says. “But you can become a better farmer by being away for short periods because you learn a lot. It allows you to put a wider lens on your own business.” He says being on the panel offers plenty of opportunities to meet leading growers, researchers and advisers.

Farming systems

Of all the investments Mr Hamilton has helped to shape, he highlights farming systems research as one of the most beneficial for growers in his area.

“The Urana farming systems trial has been the most talked about investment in my seven years on the panel,” he says. “There was grower and adviser buy-in from the start, and they put trials on heavy soils, which was a first. Growers value authentic research and local trials. We farm systems, not crops, so trials like these that put the economics around various systems are very valuable to growers.”

Mr Hamilton retires from the panel in August. He encourages growers, advisers, researchers and other grains industry specialists to apply for panel membership.

Applications close Friday 4 April 2025. 

More information: Roy Hamilton, roy@bogandillan.com

To learn more, go to GRDC Careers. To request an application pack, email rp2025@grdc.com.au