An opportunity to hear what research is happening and what is on the drawing board for Central Queensland drew more than 85 grain growers, farm advisers and industry stakeholders to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Growers’ Breakfast held as part of the AgGrow Field Days in Emerald in recently.
A key attraction for many attendees was the opportunity to hear directly from the GRDC’s Managing Director Dr Steve Jefferies.
Last year the GRDC, on behalf of Australian grain growers, invested more than $192 million in 742 research, development and extension projects specifically designed to improve on-farm profitability across the nation, including in Central Queensland.
While Dr Jefferies used his address to explain the organisation’s strategic investments and how they could help improve growers’ profitability, he emphasised his trip to the region was part of a broader listening tour.
“I have only been to Central Queensland three times in my life and this was the first trip I have made in my role as managing director of the GRDC,” he said.
“So, this was really a chance for me to listen, learn and participate in what was a very open, engaging discussion about what growers in the region see as important opportunities and constraints to their grain businesses and the wider industry.
“This two-way conversation is part of the GRDC’s commitment to engaging and collaborating with industry to determine our future research directions and priorities.”
The organisation currently invests with specialist partners, including the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), to develop best practice, adoptable information for growers, including guidelines for cost-effective agronomy, soil nutrition, new technology, farming systems and the integrated management of pests, weeds and diseases.
