GRDC remodels business structure and operations

The GRDC has undergone a significant “realignment and refocus” of its structure and operations so that it is now much better resourced to deliver on its onus of creating enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.

GRDC managing director Steve Jefferies said the organisation’s remodelled business structure and the adoption of a fresh investment strategy would propel grains RD&E into the future.

“We are constantly seeing advances in technology, increasing climate variability, consolidation of farms, globalisation and shifts within the market place,” Dr Jefferies said.

“It is therefore imperative that as Australia’s major investor in grains RD&E, the GRDC is at the very forefront of change and leading the industry response through targeted investment in RD&E.

“To do that, we need to have the right people with the right skills in the right place so that we can respond to grower needs with agility, leading to swift, positive impact in the paddock and ultimately on grower profitability.”

As a result of a major redesign of its business, the GRDC is bolstering its workforce, particularly in the regions, boosting the organisation’s outreach to growers, advisers, farming systems groups, researchers and agribusiness.

“We have created a raft of pivotal new positions within the organisation, so I encourage anyone who is keen to play a role in advancing this most inspiring grains industry of ours,to consider applying for one of the positions now available,” Dr Jefferies said.

Among the many positions on offer are six new grower relations manager roles — two in each of the GRDC’s southern, western and northern regions. The grower relations managers will be responsible for helping to ensure that important research findings focused on improving grower profit are adopted on-farm.

This ramping up of resources coincides with a new five-year strategic research and extension plan which is about to start, which sets out the GRDC’s strategic objectives for the coming five years.