New research facility in SA to strengthen national grain industry

The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP.
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6 years ago
New research facility in SA to strengthen national grain industry
The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP
New research facility in SA to strengthen national grain industry 
  •   Hart Field-Site Group has been awarded $71,000 to develop a new field research facility. 
  •   The facility will support more efficient grains research activities–such as soil and plant 
  • sample preparation, seed storage and packing, and preparation of treatments. 
  •   Part of $15 million the GRDC Board is investing to build national grains research capacity, with support through Australian Government funding. 
  • A new field research facility in Hart, South Australia will support more efficient grains research activities—such as soil and plant sample preparation, seed storage and packing—for the benefit of the entire Australian grains industry. 
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, today welcomed the $71,000 grant awarded to Hart Field-Site Group to develop the project, announced by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) as part of its research infrastructure grants program. 
  • “The Coalition Government knows how critical Research and Development (R&D) is to ensure our agricultural industries are productive and profitable into the future,” Minister Joyce said. 
  • “This project is funded by both government and growers—though levies and our matching contributions—and will have an industry-wide impact.” 
  • Federal Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey said this was an important opportunity for the Hart Field-Site Group. 
  • “The facility will provide long-term storage and workspace for grains research activities such as soil and plant sample preparation, seed storage and packing, and preparation of treatments such as seed coating and fertilisers. 
  • “It will lead to more efficient research operations, giving the Hart Field-Site Group permanent access to power throughout the season and allowing it to run research equipment on-site for the first time.” 
  • “This important research will be applied to improve crop productivity and resistance to disease, thereby strengthening the national grains industry and boosting farm profitability.” 

GRDC Chairman John Woods said the GRDC Grains R&D Infrastructure Grant was part of $15 million the GRDC Board had agreed to invest in a strategy to build national research capacity. “The purpose of the grant program is to boost capacity and capability in Australian grain research and development through funding key infrastructure, and to create enduring profitability for grain growers,” Mr Woods said. GRDC deputy chief executive, Dr Steve Thomas, said the Hart Field-Site Group had been an important research partner of the GRDC for many years and that its research, development and extension (RD&E) activities – many of which are GRDC investments – continued to generate beneficial outcomes for growers. “The GRDC’s primary purpose is to invest in RD&E to create enduring profitability for Australian growers, and the undertakings of the Hart Field-Site Group have contributed significantly to that cause.” For more information, visit grdc.com.au Fast facts   The GRDC recently conducted an open, competitive process, worth $15 million overall.   It sought applications for grants between $20,000 and $3 million for the construction of new, or enhancement of existing, infrastructure primarily used for R&D in the grains industry in Australia.   The grants can be also used for procuring building materials and services associated with the infrastructure's construction, as well as the purchase of plant, equipment or fittings.   Successful applicants are required to contribute to their projects either themselves or through other third party contributions.   The Hart Field-Site Group contributed $7,900 to this project, which will also involve installation of solar panels and battery storage units.
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Agriculture and Water Resources GRDC national grain industry