Regional Panels

The panel system is a key strength of the GRDC. The panels play an important advisory and strategic role in GRDC investments. The Board makes decisions with the support of the National Panel, informed by the knowledge and experience of regional panels and program teams. The program teams comprise members of the regional panels and the GRDC managers. The panel system helps to ensure that the GRDC’s investments are directed towards the interests of Australian grain growers and the Australian Government and remain closely aligned with the lines of business strategies.

The GRDC’s three regional panels cover the northern, southern and western grain growing regions of Australia. They are made up of grain growers, agribusiness practitioners, scientists and the GRDC’s executive managers, with provision for other industry experts to participate as appropriate. Regional panel members also participate as members of the GRDC’s investment program teams.

The panels work closely with grower groups and organisations, and have formal interactions with local Research Advisory Committees, which refer research issues to the panels on an annual basis. The regional panels develop and monitor the regional priorities in the GRDC’s R&D investments. Supported by the Lines of Business and Corporate Strategy & Program Support, panel members assess regional investment proposals and undertake risk analyses of these investments. The regional panels help to ensure that the investment plan responds to the regional and national priorities of grain growers and the Australian Government, and is aligned with the GRDC’s corporate strategies and LOB strategies.

GRDC Regional Panel Membership

Northern Regional Panel	Southern Regional Panel	Western Regional Panel
Chairman James Clark Members Greg Fraser David Freebairn Richard Heath Penny Heuston Jodi McLean John Sheppard Rob Taylor Bill Yates	Chairman David Shannon Members Andy Barr Chris Blanchard John Crosbie Merna Curnow John Harvey Richard Konzag Allan Mayfield Mark Peoples Andrew Rice Peter Schwarz Gavin Whiteley	Chairman Neil Young Members Ralph Burnett Anna Butcher Merrie Carlshausen David Fienberg Tracey Gianatti Frances Hoyle Vince Logan Iftikhar Mostafa Richard Oliver Peter Roberts

GRDC Regions

Northern Region Characteristics
- tropical and subtropical climate; - high inherent soil fertility; - yield depends upon conservation of soil moisture from subtropical rainfall; - substantial enterprise size; - diversity in crop choice, need for new crops, e.g. pulses; - premium on high-protein wheats for export and domestic markets; - high-potential yields; and - competition with cotton.
Southern Region Characteristics
- temperate climate; - relatively infertile soils; - yield depends upon reliable spring rainfall; - smaller enterprise size; - diverse production patterns and opportunities; - large and diverse domestic market; - phase farming innovator; and - shift in intensive livestock production and demand for feed grains to this region.
Western Region Characteristics
- Mediterranean climate; - low soil fertility; - yield depends upon good winter rains as spring rainfall is generally unreliable; - large enterprise size; - narrower range of crop options; - export market dominant, domestic market smaller; - leader in grain storage practice; and - transport advantage to SE Asia.