Victorian growers invited to help shape RD&E

GRAIN growers in Natte Yallock, Rochester, Dookie and Yarrawonga are invited to take part in a new series of Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) National Grower Network (NGN) forums this August.

The NGN brings together growers and grains industry stakeholders to directly engage with GRDC to help develop locally relevant research, development and extension (RD&E) investments.

GRDC Southern Panel chair Andrew Russell said the workshops are designed to foster two-way engagement and ensure grower levies are invested where they deliver the most value.

“NGN forums are the most direct way growers can tell GRDC what issues they are observing and experiencing on their farms and what RD&E they think is required to improve their farm business,” Mr Russell said.

“The forums generate great discussion about farm productivity and farming systems management.

“Through GRDC’s past NGN programs, we have unearthed a number of new regionally specific investment ideas, delivering a large number of local investments across the southern region.”

The forums will include presentations which provide an update on GRDC research investments so growers are aware of GRDC’s diverse range of activities.

“This series will include an update from the GRDC grower relations team who will highlight some of GRDC’s key local, state and national investments,” Mr Russell said.

“Each forum will also feature an update on a topic of local interest or relevance, such as soil acidity, pulse agronomy and digital automation.

“Representatives from local farming systems group Riverine Plains will attend the forums to provide an update on a range of their GRDC projects on liming, stubble management and optimising slug management.”

NGN forums are free to attend and will be led by GRDC grower relations managers Rebekah Starick and Tim Bateman.

Forum schedule and key topics include:

NATTE YALLOCK:

Tuesday 26 August 2025 |

9.00am – 12.30pm

Natte Bealiba Football Netball Club, Reserve Road, Natte Yallock VIC 3465.

Hear from Soil and Land Co Director Edward Scott who will present on the GRDC Grain Automate project: Paving the way to autonomy: Digital success not data mess.

ROCHESTER:

Wednesday 27 August 2025 | 8.00am – 12.00pm

Rochester Golf Club, Black Culvert Road, Rochester VIC 3561

Hear from Frontier Farming Systems Research Agronomist Dr Jason Brand on integrating pulses into the system and agronomic management tactics for success, as well as Riverine Plains Head of Farmer Engagement Kate Coffey who will share updates on GRDC-funded research in liming, stubble management and slug control.

DOOKIE:

Thursday 28 August 2025 |

9.00am – 1.00pm

Dookie Community Centre (at the Recreation Reserve), 20 Dookie Street, Dookie, VIC 3646

Hear from AgriSci Pty Ltd Soil Scientist / Co-owner Dr Cassandra Schefe on tracking farm emissions and acid soils management, as well as Riverine Plains Project Support Officer Sabita Duwal on GRDC-funded research into liming, stubble management and slug control.

YARRAWONGA:

Friday 29 August 2025 |

9.00am – 1.00pm

Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort

Forums include morning tea and lunch.

Registration is essential for catering purposes.

REGISTER AT:  grdc.com.au/events/list.

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