Western Australian grain growers and industry representatives are invited to have direct input into the direction of grains research, development and extension (RD&E) by providing online feedback in June 2020.
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) invites growers and others involved in the industry to provide information about issues having an impact on the profitability of grain producers in their local area, and to identify any new RD&E opportunities.
Julianne Hill, coordinator of the WA GRDC Regional Cropping Solutions Network (RCSN) groups, that are being renamed GRDC Grower Network groups, said the online feedback option was in place of the usual round of GRDC local forums.
Ms Hill, who has recently been re-appointed as coordinator of the GRDC Grower Network in WA for a further five years, said these forums were normally held in a face-to-face format in different areas of the State’s grainbelt in winter.
“Due to this year’s (2020) COVID-19 restrictions, people are instead invited to provide the GRDC with feedback online during June (2020), by going to www.rcsn.net.au,” Ms Hill said.
“Thoughts and ideas will form part of the discussion at the next round of member meetings of WA’s five GRDC Grower Network groups in July (2020) and August (2020).”
GRDC senior manager extension and communication, Luke Gaynor, said the groups would continue to provide the GRDC with information about issues that could be addressed through RD&E to enhance grower profitability in their local port zone area.
“Although now named Grower Network groups, in recognition of the GRDC’s purpose to provide value back to growers, other industry personnel are encouraged to continue to be part of the initiative and to provide input,” Mr Gaynor said.
He said the ‘ground-up’ Grower Network initiative was just one of the ways the GRDC consulted with WA grain growers, and the GRDC Western Region Panel also played a crucial role in helping to refine the GRDC’s RD&E portfolio.
Mr Gaynor encouraged people providing the GRDC with feedback online to include specific details about the frequency, cost and area impacted by key issues they identified.
“This will provide the GRDC with more detailed information and ensure that any RD&E projects developed hit their targets,” he said.
To help spark ideas for the online responses, GRDC YouTube videos, relating to some of the key cropping issues in WA, are available for viewing on the online feedback page.
In addition, information about RD&E priorities previously identified by the WA RCSN groups is available in the 2019 Annual Report for the Western Region RCSN, which can be downloaded from the GRDC website.
For more information about the online feedback, contact Julianne Hill on grdcgrowernetwork@gmail.com or 0447 261 607.
Source: GRDC
Featured Image: Photo by Chris Stacey