Grains Research Development Corporation scraps Grower Network Groups in favour of more relaxed feedback loop

Grains Research Development Corporation has scrapped its recently-rebranded Regional Cropping Solutions Network groups in favour of a more relaxed way of gathering feedback on its research, development and extension work in WA — over beers. The move comes just six months after renaming its five long-standing RCSN groups to Grower Network Groups mid-last year. The groups formed part of GRDC’s consultation process with growers and industry stakeholders, and according to the GRDC website helped to “fine tune” the organisation’s investments. GRDC promoted the Grower Network initiative as a way to “provide growers, advisers, researchers and industry with a clear and transparent avenue to raise issues that impact their farm profitability with GRDC to ensure they are well understood”. The groups represented growers in CBH Group’s Albany, Esperance, Kwinana West, Kwinana East and Geraldton port zones and provided priority issues to GRDC on behalf of growers in each area, with 12 members — including farmers, advisers and industry representatives — in each zone. The groups were connected by co-ordinator Julianne Hill, who Countryman understands has been retained at GRDC in a slightly different role. A GRDC spokeswoman said GRDC was evolving the National Grower Network and the way the organisation approached “applied research, development and extension with the grain grower community”. “In essence, we’re taking the best of the old model and developing a more responsive, consistent and open forum to deliver locally validated research, development and extension,” she said. “We have recognised the need to be even more responsive to local and seasonal issues and we also want to create a stronger and more direct connection with a broad base of growers, advisers and researchers to inform investment which will help maximise farm gate profits.” “Over the coming year, we will be moving our National Grower Network towards a more community-based approach from the current membership model.” She said the changes meant GRDC would boost its annual grower forums by about 50 per cent — it last year held 13 forums across WA — including its new “Summer Sesh” forums in January. “To reduce duplication, we will also tap into other existing industry meetings to make the most of the time that growers already contribute to supporting research, development and extension,” the GRDC spokeswoman said. GRDC recently unveiled dates and locations for its annual grower forums, with nine locations from Mullewa to Lake King selected to host. A handful of the locations are local watering holes, including the Moorine Rock Hotel, Settler’s House in York, the Lake King Golf Club, and the Lake Grace Sportsman Club. Forums will be held at Coorow on July 19, Mullewa on July 20, Badgingarra and York on July 27, Lake Grace on August 2, Moorine Rock on August 3, Kalannie on August 4, and Lake King on August 11.