grdc growers' report - Grains Research & Development Corporation

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eport from the chair and managing director How the GRDC is funded The quality and extent of Australian grains research, extension and education is envied throughout the world. The unique method of public and industry research funding, national coordination and structure—and ultimately extension—provides continuing scientific and management breakthroughs for grain growers. This translates into productivity gains essential in maintaining competitiveness in world markets. Depending on seasonal conditions, the grains industry invests around $100 million each year through the GRDC on research. This is funded by a combination of: • growers paying a statutory levy of 0.99 percent of the net farm gate value of grain produced (maize is levied at 0.693 percent) • a sliding scale of matching contributions from the Australian Government. Depending on the prevailing market value of the various grains, this sliding scale means the government contributes around 30 to 40 percent of total GRDC revenue. The Australian Government matches the levy income up to a maximum of 0.5 percent of the gross value of grains production, provided the government contribution does not exceed grower levies. This system of joint statutory collections raised over $150 million in 2010–11 which was in turn invested back into the industry via the funding of hundreds of research projects. The 25 leviable grain crops are: wheat; coarse grains—barley, oats, sorghum, maize, triticale, millets/panicums, cereal rye and canary seed; pulses—lupins, field peas, chickpeas, faba beans, vetch, peanuts, mung beans, navy beans, pigeon peas, cowpeas and lentils; and oilseeds—canola, sunflower, soybean, safflower and linseed. IA Watson Grains Research Centre The National Grains RD&E strategy is founded on linking regional RD&E centres with private sector breeding, national centres of research and research programs that have a regional delivery focus. The GRDC believes that capacity and capability building at the IA Watson Grains Research Centre at Narrabri (New South Wales) is critical to the future adoption of R&D outcomes in the GRDC’s Northern Region. International grains research links International collaboration on grains R&D is about achieving mutual benefits and advancing global agriculture. The GRDC has longstanding formal research alliance agreements with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Syria. These very successful alliances have not only benefited farmers in the developing world but also provided Australian plant breeders with germplasm and landraces with unique genes for disease resistance and climate adaptation. In addition, the alliance agreements provide a framework for information sharing under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Australian Cereal Rust Control Program The program delivers to growers new commercial wheat and barley varieties with improved rust resistance; raises grower awareness, through the Rust Bust campaign, of the importance of management strategies to reduce the risk of disease outbreak; plays an important role in addressing global rust threats, and assists Australia to be prepared for incursions of rust pathotypes, through collaboration in the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative. Omega-3 oil from canola The GRDC, CSIRO and Nuseed entered into a $50 million research collaboration which will use leading-edge gene technology to develop and commercialise a canola plant that will provide an alternative and sustainable source of long-chain omega-3 oils. Ultra-low gluten barley The GRDC, in collaboration with CSIRO, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and Melbourne Health, is supporting a project to develop an ultra-low gluten barley variety, by identifying and combining mutations in the genes encoding the gluten family. In 2010–11 the project generated a barley line in which no gluten can be detected using current detection methods. Wheat Quality Australia Wheat Quality Australia Limited (WQA) is a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee. It is owned in partnership by the GRDC and Grain Trade Australia. WQA commenced operations in January 2011, assuming all the responsibilities previously undertaken by the Wheat Classification Council and the Variety Classification Panel. The formation of WQA ensures that the industry has a sustainable wheat classification system, which will improve the value of Australian wheat for producers, marketers, processors and consumers and enhance the competitiveness of the Australian grains industry. Managing spray drift In response to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s updated label requirements for spray drift management, the cross-industry National Working Party on Pesticide Applications was set up in March 2010. In 2010–11, the GRDC played a leadership role in the working party’s efforts to help grain growers to understand and implement changes to reduce spray drift, and has invested in new work to provide the authority with realistic and practical risk management models. Improvements to National Variety Trials The National Variety Trials (NVT) program represents the largest independent variety evaluation program in the world: in 2010–11, 632 trials were conducted across more than 260 locations covering the breadth of the Australian winter grains cropping region. NVT provides growers with an unparalleled source of varietal performance information for winter cereals, oilseeds and pulses. Managed environment facilities Three managed environment facilities were established in 2010–11, at Merredin (Western Australia), Yanco (southern New South Wales) and Narrabri (northern New South Wales). These centres aim to accelerate the development of breeding lines that have been identified as being able to capture more of a limited water supply, and use limited water more effectively, for increased crop yield and quality. Farm business management The GRDC is coordinating a Farm Business Management initiative which involves workshops, intensive training courses for advisers, specialist farm business management updates, the development of resource material, and work with farming systems groups to build capacity in managing profit and risk among consultants and growers. GRDC regional panels In December 2010 the GRDC advertised the regional panel positions, which were due to become vacant on 30 June 2011. A total of 117 applications were received across the three regions. In each region, a panel selection committee was established to 4 GRDC GROWERS’ REPORT 2010–2011
eport from the chair and managing director shortlist the potential regional candidates, and an interview committee interviewed the shortlisted applicants and put forward a recommendation to the Board for consideration. The new regional panel members took up their positions on 1 July 2011. The year ahead Over the next 12 months the GRDC will be addressing some key elements of the National Grains RD&E Strategy, which will necessitate the restructuring of some of the research undertaken and improve the efficiency of national R&D programs. The GRDC will also be determining the GRDC’s future RD&E priorities, in consultation with growers and industry, to compile the corporation’s next five-year strategic RD&E plan. Having your say! The GRDC determines its investment priorities jointly with industry, government and research partners, and acts in partnership with public and private researchers, other R&D funding organisations, agribusiness people and groups of grain growers. There are various ways you can have your say about anything to do with the GRDC, including general or specific research direction. The GRDC engages with growers in many different ways including: liaison through the regional panel system; panel and Board meetings and regional tours; Regional Advisory Committees; face to face meetings between growers and GRDC staff; meetings with farming systems groups and representative organisations; attendance and interaction at conferences and workshops; the GRDC Grower and Adviser Updates; as well as direct feedback through emails, phone calls and the website. New ideas are the life-blood of the grains industry so feel free to get in touch with staff, panel members or Directors. Regional panel members are always happy to hear from you. The GRDC’s achievements depend on the effective and timely implementation of the corporation’s strategies, which in turn depends on the cooperation of the Board, panel members and staff, and strong relationships with research partners and growers. The GRDC will continue to collaborate with other RDCs, federal, state and territory governments, and research partners. We thank them for their contributions to grains industry RD&E in 2010–11. Where is your money spent R&D priorities The GRDC’s role is to invest in R&D and related activities to benefit Australian grain growers, industry and the wider community. There are four key strategies the GRDC follows to achieve this: • The coordination of a national grains R&D agenda and portfolio; • Delivering results according to Australian Government priorities; • Growing and leveraging total grains R&D investment; and, • Ensuring that grains R&D is market-driven. In short, the GRDC invests in grains research where difficulties to the industry’s progress exist. This means allocating available funds across a range of investment areas including: • the investigation and evaluation of the requirements for R&D in the grains industry; • the coordination and/or funding of R&D activities; and, • helping with the dissemination, adoption and commercialisation of the results of R&D. Like all successful businesses, the GRDC periodically sets various goals and plans so your invested dollars are accurately aimed at favourable end results. Key drivers of change in the GRDC’s Strategic R&D plan 2007-2012—Prosperity through Innovation—include water availability, productivity growth, growers’ terms of trade, grain market dynamics, customer expectations and farm demographics. The plan encourages stakeholders and research partners to meet clearly defined performance measures and outcomes. At the end of the day we need growers adopting technologies and practices to help them remain globally competitive. Where you want R&D funds invested Current R&D priorities for growers were identified during the development of Prosperity through Innovation and ratified through the GRDC’s ongoing consultations with Grain Producers Australia, local research advisory committees, grower groups and organisations and individual grain growers. Your main R&D priorities included: • farm management – integrated farming practices and technologies – integrated management of weeds, diseases and pests – herbicide resistance management • variety development – biotechnology for improving genetic gain – superior new varieties • environmental – responses to climate change – improved water use efficiency – sustainability and resource management – soil health and biology • new and innovative product development • capacity building – improving skills, training and education in agriculture – farm business management. Investing in these grain grower priorities During 2010–11 the GRDC has invested in many projects which directly address the issues you have asked to be investigated. Many of these projects are outlined in the GRDC Regional Reports and Investment Highlights sections of this Growers’ Report. Keith Perrett—Chair John Harvey—Managing Director GRDC GROWERS’ REPORT 2010–2011 5
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grdc growers' report - Grains Research & Development Corporation

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