Reducing the number of header fires and the subsequent pressure on insurance premiums was just one priority identified by the Grains Research and Development (GRDC) board during a recent fact-finding mission.
The board spent three days visiting farms in south-east Queensland and northern NSW where they spoke to growers about profit drivers, research gaps and their immediate and long term issues.
The tour was led by Goondiwindi grain grower John Woods, who took on the role of GRDC board chairman in October.
Mr Woods said the tour was about ensuring the board directors met with growers to understand the challenges and issues facing farmers.
“As a board, understanding the research priorities and needs of growers is vital, because we have the responsibility of ensuring the levy investment by Australian grain growers delivers paddock-ready solutions to production constraints, helps reduce production costs and most importantly has a positive impact on farm profitability.
“We also spent time meeting with our research partners, as GRDC doesn’t undertake research itself, we invest with our research partners, so understanding their concerns and opportunities is essential.”
The board met directly with grain growers in Goondiwindi, Mungindi and Walgett, before visiting researchers in Toowoomba.
“It really is evident, this summer has been extremely challenging for growers from northern NSW through to Queensland,” Mr Woods said.
Mr Woods said a priority was to address some of the grower issues such as header fires and the pressure it was putting on insurance premiums.
“GRDC is negotiating with industry to see what additional R&D is needed, and to find measures to reduce fires in headers.
“This will give industry the tools to go to the insurance industry to reduce the upward pressure of increased insurance premiums.
“This really needs to be done before next summer.”
The final day of the engagement included a tour of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) to see a jointly funded initiative between USQ and the GRDC.
Mr Woods said this investment was an example of effective R&D collaboration with the aim of ensuring the grain industry’s enduring profitability into the future.
“The presence of regional GRDC staff and an office in Toowoomba further reflected the GRDC’s commitment to delivering regionally relevant, locally coordinated and transparent levy investment,” he said.