Heading South for the Summer?

Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC) are again delivering their National Grower Network ‘Summer Sesh Forums’ in 2024. These forums provide a perfect opportunity for those involved in the grains industry to discuss constraints affecting grower productivity & profitability and will identify opportunities for local GRDC research, development & extension support. The growers & industry are given the opportunity to connect directly with GRDC representatives.

The first of the NGN ‘Summer Sesh Forums’ will be held at Shelter Brewing in Busselton on Tuesday 9^th January, then onto Bremer Bay Sports Club on Tuesday 16^th January & followed by Dunsborough Country Club, Dunsborough on Tuesday 23^rd January. Each session runs from 4pm until 7pm with finger food & refreshments provided in a casual setting.

In Busselton, Shelter Brewing Co will present on ‘which barley makes the best beer’, while in Dunsborough Eagle Bay Brewing Co will present the story behind their Wheatbelt Lager, including how the barley for this popular line is sourced locally in WA.

Participants will also hear from high profile guest speakers including Barry Mudge (Busselton and Bremer Bay) and John Francis (Dunsborough), who will speak on de-risking farm decision-making.

Mr Mudge’s 45-year career has seen him combine his on-farm experience with business acumen to help farm businesses build resilience in risky environments. His work has taken him from his family farm in Port Germein, South Australia, to working to support the adoption of conservation agriculture practices in north Africa and India.

Mr Francis is a director and farm management consultant at Agrista, based in southern NSW. After beginning his career as a jackaroo, Mr Francis obtained a degree in agricultural science and practiced as a public sector district agronomist for several years, before moving into farm management consultancy. He enjoys the continued new challenges working in the grains industry presents and is passionate about solving problems in agriculture.

The Summer Sesh events will be held from 4pm to 7pm on the following dates and locations:

·         January 9, Shelter Brewing Co, 11 Foreshore Parade, Busselton

·         January 16, Bremer Bay Sports Club, 142 Frantom Way, Bremer Bay

·         January 23, Dunsborough Country Club, 40 Gifford Road, Dunsborough

For more information or to register, please head over to https://grdc.com.au/events/list?region=west