BREAKING: The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has just announced a revamped Western Panel, welcoming two new members—Julianne Hill, an agricultural extension specialist, and Cathy Cooke, a Koorda graingrower. This strategic update comes just in time for the panel’s annual spring tour, set to take place from September 10 to 13, 2023, across key locations in Western Australia.
This refreshed panel will play a crucial role in guiding GRDC’s research and investment strategies, emphasizing the needs of local graingrowers. The new appointments indicate a strong commitment to enhancing the agricultural sector’s response to evolving challenges and opportunities.
GRDC chairwoman Sharon Starick praised the incoming members for their diverse skill sets, which will complement the existing panel’s expertise. “The GRDC board was extremely impressed with the quality of applicants,” she stated, highlighting the panel’s importance in shaping regional agricultural policies.
The Western Panel, now featuring a total of nine members, includes returning agronomists and researchers who have previously contributed significantly to the sector. Among them are Craig Brown, Quenten Knight, Daniel Mullan, Richard Williams, Raylene Burns, and John Young. Gary Lang continues as chairman, ensuring continuity in leadership as the new members step in.
As the panel gears up for its first significant task, the annual spring tour aims to engage with graingrowers, researchers, and agronomists in the Central and Eastern Wheatbelt. This year, the tour will cover regions including Goomalling, Bolgart, Yelbini, Merredin, Kellerberrin, Meckering, Cunderdin, and York, focusing on both opportunities and challenges facing the local industry.
Lang emphasized the importance of the spring tour in providing fresh perspectives on the evolving needs of growers. “It’s a chance to listen, learn, and ensure our investments are delivering real impact where it matters most,” he stated. The tour will also assess how growers are adapting to seasonal variability, crucial for maintaining resilience in the face of changing conditions.
The GRDC regional panels are instrumental in identifying and prioritizing industry issues, drawing insights from their networks and firsthand experiences. This ensures that GRDC’s investments align with the practical needs of grain growers while addressing broader challenges in the sector.
The upcoming tour will also feature visits to GRDC-supported trial sites focusing on critical areas such as nitrogen fixation, canola establishment, and soil re-engineering. Peter Bird, GRDC’s senior regional manager for the west, noted the significance of these trials and the collaborative efforts between GRDC, local grower groups, and researchers.
As the new panel prepares for its spring tour, it carries the legacy of three departing members: Juliet McDonald, Nick Gillett, and Suzanne Woods. Their contributions have been vital in shaping the GRDC’s regional strategy, and their insights will be missed.
The urgency of these developments cannot be overstated. With the agricultural landscape continually shifting, the GRDC’s proactive approach through its newly formed panel is poised to make a significant impact on the future of Western Australia’s grain industry.
Stay tuned for more updates as the spring tour unfolds, offering deeper insights into the pressing issues and innovations that will shape the grains sector in the coming years.
