GRDC chair and SA primary producer Sharon Starick. Photo: GRDC

THE Grains Research and Development Corporation is kick-starting engagement to shape the next phase of its research, development and extension investment.

The engagement follows the completion of ACIL Allen’s review to determine the “right-size” RD&E investment to continue progress driven by Australian grain growers alongside GRDC.

The review was instigated by GRDC in September 2024 and focused on levy revenue modelling, an RD&E capacity and ability assessment, and implications of changes to GRDC’s RD&E investment levels.

“GRDC is in an extremely favourable financial position; after a number of outstanding seasons coupled with strong prices, GRDC now has strong cash reserves of $680 million,” GRDC chair and South Australian primary producer Sharon Starick said.

“This extraordinary position was without question made possible by growers, whose readiness to adopt practice changes and embrace innovative technologies demonstrates the immense value of RD&E to the productivity and profitability of Australian farming enterprises.”

Mrs Starick said GRDC would begin industry consultation later this month by liaising with both of Australia’s grower-representative organisations, GrainGrowers Limited and Grain Producers Australia, before going out more broadly to growers over the next three months.

She said industry consultation would build on extensive work already undertaken by GRDC to inform the current RD&E Plan 2023-28, as well as the substantive investment areas and priorities already identified by growers.

The RD&E Plan 2023-28 has more than $525 million in forward commitments.

“These research investments have been shaped by grower priorities, including direct input from our regional panels, and focus on delivering practical, on-farm impact.”

As part of the consultation, Mrs Starick said GRDC will ask growers and industry for their input into opportunities to identify directions for strategic, transformational research.

Welcomed by GrainGrowers

GrainGrowers said the GRDC review opens the door to a detailed examination of the current industry investment model and should be seen as a positive first step in considering how industry levy funds are spent.

GrainGrowers chair Rhys Turton said while industry discussion had recently focused on the size of the GRDC reserves, it was even more crucial to carefully consider how and where the levy money is spent.

“As one of the representative organisations appointed by the government, GrainGrowers is charged with the responsibility to ensure GRDC investments are in the best interests of levy payers,” Mr Turton said.

“In 2024, we called for the review process to be undertaken and advocated for a review into the overall capability and resources available to undertake grains industry research, development and extension.”

“Now the Right Size Review is completed, GrainGrowers will systematically consider all aspects and continue to consult with grower members; this is foundational to us in making decisions going forward.”

Mr Turton said it was imperative that the GRDC demonstrated to growers that levy money is being well-spent to address issues impacting industry efficiency and productivity.

“I am pleased to note that the GRDC, on the back of this review, has committed to discussions with the ROs and then consulting more broadly with growers, over the next three months.”

Mr Turton said GrainGrowers recognised the importance of GRDC investment outcomes to industry, and had allocated a dedicated staff resource to monitor spending.

“As an industry body representing 15,100 growers nationally, we take our RO responsibilities very seriously and consult growers continually to provide well-informed feedback and input into the operations of the GRDC.

“Our approach has always been to work cooperatively with other industry bodies and in a strategic manner to focus on achieving outcomes for growers.”

“While it is easy to focus on levy reserves, the next part of this process is to direct attention to long-term challenges and opportunities and finding the best way to unlock the potential of the Australian grains industry.”

Source: GRDC, GrainGrowers