AUSTRALIA- Grains Australia, an initiative of the Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), and the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) are planning integration between the two organizations to bolster efficiency in service delivery.
The two organizations said the integration would drive collaboration, improve coordination and streamline operations across key classification areas of trade and market access, market information and education, and customer insights and innovation for the Australian grains sector.
GRDC Chairman John Woods said the integration was a “natural alignment” and would maximize the value offered to Australian grain growers and strengthen strategic market relationships.
“It makes sense to have these two very important agencies working together, effectively combining the work being done to explore and understand emerging and current market needs, with critical ‘industry good’ activities such as classification, market access, and market information,” Woods said.
He added that GRDC invests on behalf of Australian grain growers, and supporting this integration will ensure they get the best return on investment for the money spent.
Under the agreement, AEGIC will continue its important role in overseas market development and research, including trade analysis and intelligence, understanding customer requirements, and developing new products and value-adding opportunities.
Terry Enright, chairman of Grains Australia, welcomed the agreement and said he was looking forward to working even more closely with AEGIC under the new model.
“Grains Australia’s role is to service the connection between what the market wants and what the industry provides, and under the newly aligned operation with AEGIC we can generate more benefits to Australian growers and meet the needs of our end-users around the world,” Enright said.
Under the new structure, GRDC’s investment in AEGIC will transfer to Grains Australia, with the head office remaining in Perth, Western Australia, and the partnership working closely with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Grains Australia Oat Council accepts new varieties
Meanwhile, the Grains Australia Oat Council has accepted two new high-yielding varieties- 13008-18 from InterGrain and Koala from Seednet- into the first stage of the Australia Oat Classification Program.
These two varieties with improved disease resistance are officially at Stage Zero Evaluation and will progress to full commercial milling assessment next year, awaiting further classification decisions.
InterGrain’s 13008-18 is a dual-purpose oat variety for use in all growing regions across Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.
Seednet’s Koala is a mid to long-season oat variety suited for growing in medium- to high-rainfall environments.
“As the industry is investing more in oat breeding, it’s increasingly important that we have a strong classification system that can ensure new varieties meet the needs of our domestic and international customers and Australian growers,” said Ashley Wiese, Oat Council chair and West Australian grain grower.
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