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GGA Searching for new CEO
Former GGA CEO, Annabelle Bushell will this month return from parental leave as a part time Business Development Manager within the Drought Adoption and Innovation Hub team. Interim CEO Niki Curtis will be stepping down. GGA is now searching for a new CEO. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead and be part of a dynamic, innovative organisation to ensure the GGA “voice” is heard and delivers new funding and innovation initiatives in the agricultural industry in WA and across the country. To be successful in this role, you will be a collaborative, innovative professional who is passionate about facilitating and developing individual grower groups as a collective, enabling them to operate as a strongly networked, powerful alliance. Refer to the advert on Seek for more information.
Hub team recruiting
Recruiting for four Hub Team positions have all closed with appointments to be announced during July.
Hub Science to Practice Forum well attended
Over 70 delegates from WA engaged with the recent FREE 3 day nationwide Science to Practice Forum on 29 Jun - 1 Jul. Broadcast from Canberra with all 8 Hubs integrating simultaneously, a number of live presentations were made from the SW WA Hub headquarters at the Merredin Dryland Research Institute. 835 delegates around Australia engaged with the event. Keep watch on the national event page on Hopin for recordings of sessions. Two Science to Practice Forum events are planned per year for the Future Drought Fund Hub network.
Hub priority consultation for SW WA begins
Interim Hub team member Mark Holland and Interim Hub Director Graham Smith continue individual priority consultations with SW WA Hub Consortia members, starting with stakeholders that pledged major co-contributions at the tender phase. Clustered regional consultations will be evaluated once the new Hub team is onboarded.
Hub tenders
The first tender for the South West WA Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub is now open. Submissions are due by 9am, 12 July. More details here.
GGA AGM
Two positions on the GGA Board will be vacant and up for election at this year's AGM on 31 August. The board is comprised of five member elected Directors and three Independent Appointed Directors. Voting GGA Members should stand by for an email calling for nominations for the GGA board. Nominations close 3 August. View the current GGA board here.
Three weeks until GGA Forum21
Keep calm and carry on! Planning for GGA's Forum21 continues despite recent Covid disruptions. Four interstate guest speakers will present via Zoom should border closures be in place. The remaining speakers are all local. Please continue to register as if the event will proceed and an assessment will be made the week of the event. Grower Groups have a subsidised ticket of $150pp and we're offering an industry rate of $300pp Program and tickets here.
Precision Ag workshops June - August
Get hands-on with Precision Agriculture at one of nine workshops running from June through August. Working with your local grower group, we will bring together local dealers, PA experts, and software providers to demonstrate PA using the tools you have. Activities will vary for each location based upon your feedback. See GGA webpage for the PA Workshops Project for dates.
Growing Leaders Scholarship close 31 July
Sponsored by CBH Group, two scholarships, each valued at $15,500, place recipients into the 2022 Leadership WA Signature Program, which is aimed at high performing senior leaders looking to develop their own courageous, powerful, and authentic leadership on a 10-month journey of self awareness and self mastery. Apply here before 31 July.
Register now for GGA public speaking workshop 20 Aug
Esther Jones will return for a full-day public speaking training workshop for 25 agriculture industry delegates in Perth on 20 August. Aimed at those whose roles put them in the spotlight – Grower Group Chairs, Executive Officers or Extension delivery staff – the workshop will help lift the public speaking game of both rookies and experienced speakers, register here.
Soilborne pathogen workshops
From August through September DPIRD cereal pathologists Dominie Wright, Sarah Collins and Daniel Huberli will be holding workshops with partnering grower groups. Growers are encouraged to bring their own plant samples to the workshop to learn how to detect root diseases and choose suitable management techniques. Workshops will be held at demonstration sites with a history of disease, allowing growers to see current practices and talk to the host growers. More information and workshop schedule here.
Grain storage project
GGA will be offering training workshops on grain storage. Ben White, GRDC grain storage extension specialist and agricultural engineer, will be conducting the workshops and offering advice on grain storage hygiene to help growers maximise grain quality retention and seed germination. Expressions of interest will be invited via a direct email to grower groups. Updates will appear here.
WA Farm Data Sharing Project
After 10 months in the making, we have sign off for WA’s first data sharing project, designed to help growers make more sophisticated investment decisions using their own farm data. A partnership between GGA, DPIRD and Curtin University, the project was developed in consultation with grower groups, growers, agronomists, farm consultants, agtech and data providers. Please join Tanya Kilminster, GGA, and Adam Sparks, DPIRD next Tuesday 6th July over lunch at noon via Zoom for a project overview and discussion. Email Tanya at tkilminster@gga.org.au for the meeting link. To follow the project progress, bookmark the project page.
Welcome new GGA Members
The GGA Board approved six new member groups at the recent Board meeting. The Esperance Zone Innovation (EZI) Group, Oil Mallee Association of Australia and the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen's Association were approved as full voting Grower Group Members. Associate Membership was approved for WA Livestock Research Council, the South West Catchments Council, and AgZero 2030. New groups strengthen the farmer-led GGA network, adding value with producer expertise, stakeholder visibility and diversity. To get involved with the GGA Network, browse the GGA Membership page.
onboarded.
GGA has moved
GGA has moved up in the world, literally, to Level 6, 1 Nash Street, East Perth. Office accommodation is provided to GGA as part of our DPIRD Collaboration Agreement so GGA has moved along with the majority of DPIRD South Perth staff into a fresh and very modern open plan style office layout. The move was a touch sentimental for GGA's Mark Holland (a DPRID allocated team member) who had worked in the South Perth DPIRD offices since 1989!
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Sheep Easy 2021
Sheep Easy is the highlight biennial event for The Sheep’s Back. Held at the Williams Town Hall on Thursday, 12th August, it features demonstrations of sheep handling equipment, research presentations and trade exhibits. Victorian farmer Tim Leeming will give a keynote presentation on Precision Lambing for the Modern Farmer. RSVP here.
Future of Food conference
Southern Dirt hosts its first Future of Food conference on 23 September in Mandurah. It’s about inspiring and initiating change within the Australian agri-food sector. The conference recognises future-forward businesses and agri-food professionals, supporting a progressive local food industry and empowering consumers to make better-informed decisions about what they eat. Register here.
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Help from ifarmwell
A tool to help farmers through hard times is available online. It’s a free resource that responds to what Australian farmers have said they want and what research shows will help. Suited to farmers who are currently experiencing challenges, or those who’d like tools to better cope with future uncertainty, it shares practical ways of coping with difficult circumstances, thoughts and feelings, and helps farmers work out where to best put their energy. Find out more here.
NBN Regional connectivity program
Customers across regional, rural and remote Australia are set to benefit from enhanced connectivity over the NBN network, thanks to projects co-funded under the first round of the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP). A total of 132 place-based telecommunications infrastructure projects are to be funded across regional, rural and remote Australia.
IFS contribution rates confirmed
Farmer contributions to Industry Funding Schemes will support a range of priority animal disease and pest control programs next financial year. The contribution rates remain unchanged from last year. Cattle, sheep, goat, grain, seed and hay producers can see the detail of rates and pest control programs here.
International Oat Conference 2022
Registrations are open for the 11th International Oat Conference. It's planned for 10-13 October 22 at Crown Perth. The conference will be a hybrid event and attendees can choose from either in person or virtual attendance. Find out more here.
MeatUp in Perth
MLA’s MeatUp program comes to Perth on Thursday, 5 August. Part of an Australia-wide series of forums delivering the latest in red meat R&D, its diverse program is designed and made relevant by a local working group of producers. Livestock producers, service providers and the research community are encouraged to come along. It’s an all day event at the University Club at UWA. Register here.
GIWA Barley Forum
Join in person or online for a whole of WA barley value chain discussion. The 2021 GIWA Barley Forum is on Monday 26th July at Crown Perth, from 1pm. It's also offered as a virtual event. GIWA welcomes member and non-member participation free of charge. More info and registrations here.
CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology Climate Services for Agriculture Webinar
CSIRO and BOM are hosting a workshop now via webinar to gain feedback from the WA pilot region for the new "Climate Services for Agriculture" digital platform on Tuesday 13th July at 1pm. Invitation's will be via email, enquiries to Tanya Kilminster tkilminster@gga.org.au | 0427 469 038. Take a look at the project here https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/climate-services
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FUNDING AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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Grants for cattle biosecurity projects
Funding has been made available for biosecurity related research and development projects that will protect and enhance the Western Australian cattle industry. The Cattle Industry Funding Scheme (IFS), which is underpinned by contributions from producers, is offering grants of up to $50,000 per year up to a maximum of three years. The investment will reinforce measures to protect the State’s cattle herd from the threat of exotic pests and diseases. See more here.
Investor readiness programs
DPIRD recently launched a new initiative in partnership with the Small Business Development Corporation to help businesses in Western Australia capitalise on investment opportunities and thrive in competitive markets. Industry groups and NFPs may be eligible for funding to deliver investor readiness programs. Visit Investor Readiness for more information.
Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program
Expressions of interest for the WA Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program are now open. There are two funding streams:
1. ACCU Plus – soil carbon and vegetation projects eligible to register with the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) and able to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). Potential proponents planning ERF soil carbon projects in low rainfall areas in the eastern and northern Wheatbelt are encouraged to apply.
2. Future Carbon – pilots and trial projects that increase carbon sequestration but which do not currently have an ERF method. These projects will be innovative, improve soil health and contribute to the sustainability of agricultural practices. Activities with a mature research base, preferably with university or similar support, and the potential to become a new or amended ERF method will also be considered.
EOI close 20 August.
Mt Burdett Foundation grants
Applications are now open for the newly launched Mt Burdett Rural and Regional Advancement Foundation,
brainchild of Esperance farmer Chris Reichstein, which is investing to build vibrant, resilient rural communities. There are three streams of funding: Individuals, groups and scholarships. Everything from skills development to network building opportunities are supported, and applicants need not be from the farming sector. Early to mid career people with a passion and vision for the local community are the target. Apply here.
Networks to Build Drought Resilience
Applications for the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program close on 5 July. Over the next 18-months, the program will distribute $4.5 million across remote, rural and regional Australia in agriculture-dependent communities that are vulnerable to drought.
COGGO Research Fund
The COGGO (Council of Grain Growers Organisations) Research Fund invests in innovative research and development projects across the whole supply chain that can demonstrate a direct benefit to Western Australian grain growers. Applications are open for projects starting after 1 January 2022. Funding of up to $75,000 per annum for two years is available. Expressions of interest should be submitted by 5 July.
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WA Community Achievement Awards
Nominations are open for the Western Australian Community Achievement Awards, including the Economic Development Award. This award recognises individuals, businesses and groups in the regions who are making an outstanding contribution to improve the amenity and liveability of their communities. See the full list of categories and make nominations here by 29 July.
2022 Nuffield scholarship
Applications are now open for the Nuffield Scholarship, for which scholars receive a $30,000 bursary for a 14-week program. It’s an opportunity to identify new best practices and ideas from leading and innovative businesses around the world. The alumni has a strong network built over 70 years – 485 scholars in Australia and 1800 worldwide. Applications close 6 August.
Board Inductions for not-for-profits
NFP Law is holding a webinar on the roles and responsibilities of being a board members. It's on Friday 13 July at 10:45am. Details are here.
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