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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 four LOBs 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 Members

Northern Regional Panel	Southern Regional Panel	Western Regional Panel
Chair James Clark Members John Sheppard Rob Taylor Aaron Sanderson Jodi McLean Keith Harris Loretta Serafin Mark Sutherland Vicki Green William Martel Stephen Thomas Gavin Whiteley Northern Panel Biographies	Chair David Shannon Members Peter Schwarz Chris Blanchard Richard Konzag Bill Long Chris Jones Neil Fettell John Minogue Keith Pengilley Susan Findlay Tickner Geoff Budd Southern Panel Biographies	Chair Peter Roberts Members Ralph Burnett Narelle Moore Bill Ryan Darren Hughes John Even Mike Ewing Shauna Stone Leecia Angus Vince Logan Western Panel Biographies

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.