With 2003 investments in the Grain Foods CRC and HRZ Wheats coming on top of maturing investments in Canola Breeders WA (CBWA) and Grain Biotech Australia (GBA), the Export Grains Centre (EGC) is to focus more attention on a national portfolio.

Its just released 2003 Annual Report also reveals that the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has extended its support of the company through to the end of 2009.

EGC was established in 1999 as an independent, commercially focused investment organisation to identify and utilise synergies between research providers and potential domestic and international investors to meet WA’s crop improvement needs.

As a company limited by guarantee, EGC was not obliged to issue an annual report, but its Executive Chairman, David Crawford said it was important to show growers, who support EGC through the GRDC and investment partner the Council of Grain Grower Organisations (COGGO), what had been achieved.

EGC’s two initial investments, CBWA and GBA, launched new canola and wheat varieties for the 2004 season, setting new benchmarks for rapid variety development.

“One of EGC’s principal aims is to commercialise research and development in WA to hasten the delivery of new varieties to growers,” Mr Crawford explained.

“A broader national focus into the future, however, should help EGC meet the challenge of stimulating further private investment in crop improvement.”

The EGC board, which supports partner companies with a comprehensive range of technical and commercial skills, comprises: Executive Chairman David Crawford, Research Director, Dr John Hamblin, Peter Reading (GRDC), Mick McGinniss (GRDC), Bruce Piper (COGGO), Christopher Roberts (COGGO) and Hendy Cowan (Independent).