Starting on September 23, the four-day tour took the panel through southern Queensland, with visits to trial sites, research centres and farms across the region.
GRDC regional panels play a vital role in shaping GRDC’s research, development and extension (RD&E) investments, ensuring they deliver enduring profitability and impact for Australian grain growers.
The annual spring tour also reflects GRDC’s commitment to regionally informed investments, ensuring decisions are grounded in the real-world and aligned with grower priorities.
The 2025 itinerary included stops in Goondiwindi, Billa Billa, Toowoomba, Tummaville, Warwick and Gatton, with a focus on topics such as:
- Profitability of canola in northern farming systems.
- National Variety Trials (NVT).
- Nitrogen loss mitigation strategies.
- Smart cropping technologies.
This year’s tour was particularly timely for the newly appointed northern panel members.
Felicity Harris, Mark Swift and Nick Ennis will join returning members Roger Bolte, Fernanda Dreccer, Jo Weier, Belinda Chase, Murray Scholz and Sarah Ball, with Arthur Gearon continuing as panel chair.
Arhtur says the tour was a vital opportunity for the panel to connect with growers in the region and help ensure GRDC’s investments remain grounded in grower needs.
“This tour allows us to listen, learn and bring real-world perspectives into GRDC’s strategic planning. It’s about building relationships and ensuring our work delivers tangible outcomes for the northern grains industry,” he says.
“For our new panellists, it’s an ideal introduction to the diversity of the region and a chance to see the impact of GRDC’s investments up close.
“Whether it’s trial sites, research stations or paddock visits, every stop helps us better understand the challenges and opportunities facing grain production in Queensland.
“That understanding is critical to shaping research priorities that delivers value to growers.”
