The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will today call for tenders for a potential 45 research projects.

GRDC Chairman Terry Enright said the tender process was part of a crucial research effort that was essential to the future of the Australian grains industry.

Mr Enright – visiting scientists, research facilities and graingrowers in Horsham, Victoria, with the GRDC Board and Southern Regional Panel – said innovative research driven and funded by growers, government and the private sector had underpinned industry growth in the face of many challenges.

“The GRDC, funded by growers and the Australian Government, will in 2007-08 provide funding support in excess of $120 million to new and existing research projects aimed at increasing grain production and improving industry sustainability,” he said.

“The GRDC is the largest single contributor in Australia and provides funding across the entire spectrum of grains research, from breeding new grain varieties to the ongoing development of better farming practices.”

GRDC Managing Director Peter Reading said the competitive tender program being released today called for tenders for a range of research projects for 2007-08 and up to the next three years, not including projects that will be re-negotiated.

“Broad research areas include natural resource management and the environment, pulse and oilseed breeding, precision agriculture, agronomy, farming systems and on-farm practices, extension, new products, gene discovery, herbicide tolerance and organics,” Mr Reading said.

“Australian grain producers face many challenges such as drought, weeds, pests, disease, declining terms of trade and increasing overseas competition.  Research and farmer innovation continues to meet these challenges while providing an important foundation for the long-term future of the industry.”