New GRDC forums for grower input kick off on YP

GRAIN growers and industry stakeholders are invited to contribute their suggestions for future GRDC investment in a new series of forums beginning in Maitland next month.
GRDC Grower Forums are being held to gather grassroots input into GRDC’s investment plans by capturing opportunities and constraints facing local growers.
The Maitland forum will be held at the town bowling club from 10am to 1pm, with a light lunch provided, on Wednesday, September 22.
Participants will gain insights into current research and extension projects which address locally identified issues and will have the opportunity to talk to GRDC representatives and researchers working on GRDC investments. 
GRDC grower relations manager Randall Wilksch said the forums would foster a two-way exchange of insights and information.
"We're excited to hold these forums to capture local priorities and have a genuine discussion about how grower levies are being invested by GRDC to help create enduring profitability gains relevant to the local area, particularly through development and extension," Mr Wilksch said. 
Mr Wilksch said facilitated workshop sessions during the forums would consolidate and capture local priorities.
These priorities will be considered for future GRDC investment in research, development and extension.
CSIRO agriculture and food systems program principal research scientist Dr Therese McBeath will be the day's guest speaker.
Dr McBeath will update participants on the GRSC Sandy Soils Program, which aims to improve the diagnosis and management of underperforming sandy soils in the Southern Region. 
For more information, or to register, visit https://bit.ly/3jkCfml.