Current opportunities
Current opportunities
Listed are the opportunities currently available. Prospective tenderers are encouraged to read the Terms and Conditions before applying.
Request for Tender Terms and Conditions apply to all RFT’s where tenderers are required to submit an application.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) began its operations on 1 July 2023. Contract Service Providers of GRDC (as defined by the NACC Act 2022) will be under the jurisdiction of the NACC if a corrupt conduct issue arises.
24 results found:
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Reference number: PROC-9177190 RFT
Fostering the adoption of variable rate fertiliser application for improved nutrient use efficiency
Growers have expressed a desire for training in the use of variable rate technology (VRT) in their farming enterprises. Adoption of the technology could be increased by implementing a peer-to-peer learning approach that pairs groups of growers who have not utilised VRT with consulting agronomists that are proficient in the use of the technology on farm. A coordinating organisation is sought to oversee the implementation of this approach. Growers will be guided through a VRT journey to give them the necessary confidence and skills to adopt the technology broadly in their farming enterprise. Detailed economic analysis of the VRT activity will be undertaken to assess the profitability of its implementation along with implications for on-farm carbon accounting.
Closing date and timeWednesday 26 February 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateWednesday 15 January 2025Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025
Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177197 RFT
NGN Post-emergent Broadleaf Weed Control in Chickpeas in Central Queensland
Broadleaf weed control in chickpeas is particularly challenging due to the lack of available post-emergent herbicides suitable for in-crop application. This issue was raised by growers at an NGN forum in Gindie, Queensland, where there was significant interest in exploring alternative options to the limited chemistry currently used by Central Queensland growers. In Central Queensland, growers face weed burdens in chickpea crops from species such as Mexican poppy, sow thistle, and wild turnip, for which the current standard grower practice of pre-emergent application of isoxaflutole, simazine or terbuthylazine are often ineffective. There is an opportunity to demonstrate the efficacy and suitability of recently registered pre-emergent herbicides within Central Queensland systems. Currently, growers in the region lack knowledge about their use. This investment will evaluate herbicides (pre and post emergent) currently registered for use in chickpea to assess their fit in the region and efficacy against local problematic weeds through replicated small plot field studies, with extension of this information to growers through field walks and presentation of results.
Closing date and timeWednesday 05 February 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateWednesday 08 January 2025Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177198 RFT
NGN Overcoming herbicide resistance and staggered germination in wild oats
Wild oats pose a significant challenge to growers in Central New South Wales. They are the most prevalent weed in this region and are notorious for developing resistance to several herbicides, including Group 1 herbicides such as Clethodim and Clodinafop. Additionally, the variation in dormancy in wild oat seeds after maturity can lead to delayed germination, causing the weeds to germinate in multiple cohorts or after pre-sowing sprays. Growers at the Coonamble and Manildra NGN forums raised the issue of herbicide resistant and late germinating wild oats populations in the region. This investment will conduct demonstration trials over two years in Central NSW to demonstrate a range of management strategies including the use of residual herbicides and crop competition. The results from these trials will be extended through field days, webinars, and GRDC communications channels.
Closing date and timeWednesday 05 February 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateWednesday 08 January 2025Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177192 RFT
NGN Identifying alternative profitable legume options for CQ
During the NGN forums in Central Queensland (Gindie and Clermont), growers emphasized the need for alternative crop options for their farming systems, particularly legumes. The crops of interest included faba beans for winter and soybean for summer seasons. Historically chickpea have been a mainstay of cropping systems in CQ, but the variable commodity price and implications chickpea plants have in wet conditions has led to variable production levels in recent years. In addition, recent research findings from the Northern Farming Systems project confirmed a chickpea/wheat sequence can exacerbate disease (e.g. crown rot) and nematode numbers, which over the long term will decrease grain production. The investment will explore the potential for alternative grain legume crops to be grown in the CQ region. Comparable experiments of alternative crops against traditional legume crops (chickpea and mungbean) are proposed to evaluate productivity and economic performance. The key findings will be disseminated to the local grower groups explaining the viable cropping options and legacies of the grain legumes in a CQ cropping system.
Closing date and timeFriday 31 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateWednesday 18 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177193 RFT
NGN Can early planting of wheat be profitable in Sth Qld and Nth NSW
Variable climatic conditions and periodic rainfall has led to the appeal of increasing cropping diversity in Northern NSW and Southern Queensland. The optimum planting period for spring wheat is mid-May to June, with anthesis occurring in September. Growers from the Goondiwindi NGN considered the appeal of winter or longer season wheat varieties to take advantage of soil moisture which accumulated earlier in the year (February–March). Current developments in breeding have seen the new cultivars adaptable to warmer climates. The investment would evaluate these new cultivars and potential genetics that would benefit future cultivars for the suitability of production in the local regions. This investment is designed to illustrate what yields are possible for the longer season wheat types in the sub regions, and to understand what other farming systems issues need to be considered as a result of planting cereals in an earlier sowing window.
Closing date and timeFriday 31 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateTuesday 17 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177182 RFT
Supporting the development of standardised On Farm Experimentation approaches in the Northern region
Paddock scale experimentation leverages precision agriculture farm-scale machinery and software to capture experimental data at a commercial scale accounting for natural spatial variability enabling data-driven decisions to enhance grower profitability. Although small-plot trials offer a rigorous approach to research they fail to address variability across paddocks, farms, and landscapes. Historically, on-farm experimentation has been limited by statistical rigour, but advancements in statistical methods, next-generation analytics, and artificial intelligence now provide the tools needed to revolutionise this approach. This opportunity is seeking service providers to support OFE’s that are user led and co-developed with industry pilot groups to shape standardised approaches in the Northern region and integrate with training programs.
Closing date and timeThursday 30 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateTuesday 17 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177180 RFT
Review and update of the Owner Reimbursement Cost Evidence Framework for the grains industry
To ensure the future viability and sustainability of the Australian grains industry, it is important to mitigate risks from exotic pests and respond effectively to plant pest threats. The Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) is an agreement between government and industry that establishes national governance and investment in responding to and eradicating emergency plant pests (EPPs). Under the EPPRD, growers affected by response activities may qualify for reimbursement of certain costs or losses, known as owner reimbursement costs (ORCs). The current Evidence Framework for Owner Reimbursement Costs for the Grains Industry v1 was published in 2007. Given the significant evolution of the grains industry since then, there is a necessity to review and update this framework to reflect the current situation. This includes consideration for all present Australian grain crops, with adaptations to account for crop and regional variations. The GRDC is investing in updating the ORC evidence framework, including an annual update of this document throughout the life of the investment. This will require consultation with the grains industry and supply chain, along with the provision of cost estimates involved in producing grain crops in Australia.
Closing date and timeThursday 23 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateMonday 16 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025
Tender status: Closed
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Reference number: PROC-9177111 RFP
Value chain innovation
Due to relatively high costs associated with the Australian grains supply chain, and the various opportunities to add value within it, GRDC is undertaking an open RD&E call aimed at improving the enduring profitability of Australian grain growers. This Request for Proposal (RFP) process aims to tackle critical challenges and opportunities along the value chain by leveraging external expertise, novel technologies, and insights. It invites proposals within the example topics provided and is also open to additional topics that fall within the nominated scope. By engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, including technology developers, academic institutions, and industry practitioners, the initiative seeks to drive breakthrough innovations that will enhance the profitability and sustainability along the grains value chain. Applicants must follow a limited set of guiding principles, communicated to them as part of the tender release, notably that each investment identifies a tangible outcome for Australian grain growers, a clear path to achieving this, and that the benefit is quantifiable.
Closing date and timeWednesday 26 February 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateMonday 16 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177186 RFT
Reducing the frost sensitivity of Canola in Australia
Canola is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world with its versatility of use for human food consumption as well as its industrial uses and is only second to soybean in volume of production (Wrucke et al. 2019a, b). There are three growth habits found in canola: spring, winter and semi-winter with the dominant types in Australia being winter and spring types with long season types better adapted to high rainfall zones whilst short season types are better adapted to areas with less rainfall and harsher temperature extremes (Lilley et al. 2019; Wrucke et al, 2019a, b). The risk of crop damaging frost events has increased over the last 60 years across the winter cropping regions of Australia, despite there being an overall increase in average day temperatures (Zheng et al. 2015; Crimp et al. 2016). This proposal aims to explore the option of genetic solutions to the ongoing challenge of canola frost damage in frost-prone production environments of Australia. This investment is to i) establish if there is sufficient diversity in canola at the reproductive frost tolerance stage of development and ii) develop a robust, reliable and consistent screening methodology.
Closing date and timeMonday 03 March 2025, at 02:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateMonday 16 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177181 RFT
The biosecurity surveillance system for the grains industry: A gaps and opportunity analysis
To ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of the Australian grains industry, it is important to mitigate risks associated with exotic pests and effectively respond to plant pest threats. A nationally coordinated grains biosecurity surveillance system for grains pests and diseases is required that delivers these benefits in the most cost-efficient manner. This objective may be achieved through improved coordination and expansion of existing surveillance activities, or by exploring alternative models. GRDC is investing in a consultancy to review gaps and opportunities in the grains biosecurity surveillance system. This analysis will consider national strategies, implementation plans, and industry needs, involving consultation with diverse stakeholders in the grains industry and biosecurity sector. An understanding of the costs associated with potential future surveillance models and their reciprocal benefits is required. Therefore, the second component of this consultancy is to provide business cases relating to the identified gaps and future opportunities.
Closing date and timeTuesday 28 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateMonday 16 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177185 RFT
NGN Milling Oats Agronomy for Southern NSW
Southern NSW cropping systems are dominated by wheat and barley as the choice options for winter cereals crops. The established crops are known to be reliable and adaptable to certain cropping rotations. Although, one constraint that has been put forward by local growers is the susceptibility to frosts. Many wheat and barley crops were decimated by frosts in 2024, with growers at the local NGN forums asking for research into the potential of milling oats to provide an alternative cereal.
Closing date and timeFriday 24 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateFriday 13 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Closed
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Reference number: PROC-9177183 RFT
Integration of cost effective and sustainable management strategies for wheat foliar diseases in the Southern Region and Southern NSW
Wheat foliar diseases including Septoria tritici blotch (STB), Stripe Rust (SR) and Wheat powdery mildew (WPM) continue to challenge growers’ decision making and profitability, despite development of resistant varieties, extensive research in integrated disease management (IDM) strategies and development of decision support tools. GRDC has invested in understanding the drivers of epidemiology of these diseases and now has an extensive knowledge base to inform and demonstrate to growers how to implement economical IDM strategies with confidence. This investment will validate, demonstrate and communicate cost-effective integrated management strategies related to varietal resistance, fungicide input costs and yield impacts, for wheat foliar diseases, to all wheat growing regions and rainfall zones of the Southern Region and Southern NSW.
Closing date and timeThursday 30 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateThursday 12 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177170 RFT
Reducing Post Maturity Yield Loss Risk- Program 1: Measurement and rating system for canola pod shatter resistance trait
GRDC is looking to invest in the development of an accurate pod shatter measurement and a rating system, which will enhance grower confidence and aid in the selection of appropriate cultivars, ultimately minimising the risk of yield loss during the post-grain filling stage in canola. Additionally, the investment will refine national estimates on the frequency and severity of pod shatter in canola. This will enhance the value proposition for Australian canola breeders targeting pod-shatter resistance and provide advice for growers concerning cultivar choice and management decisions.
Closing date and timeFriday 28 February 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateWednesday 11 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177179 RFT
GRDC National Grower Network - Variable Soils Amelioration Upskilling
Choosing the optimum amelioration option for every constraint within a paddock with variable soils can seem difficult or impossible, some growers are opting to do an "OK" job on all soils rather than undertaking the ideal solution on all of their soils. However, there are some growers successfully ameliorating soil constraints across variable paddocks using the best compromises of operations, machinery, inputs and management. Importantly, by looking across their whole farm, growers will be better able to make more informed financial and logical decisions on which areas and constraints should be targeted first. When assessing the benefits of amelioration the simplest calculation is: Improved margin = (yield uplift x grain value) – cost While amelioration costs look daunting at the start of the process, by looking at the potential financial benefits prior to beginning, growers will have more confidence in achieving their desired outcomes. Reported benefits include: more confidence applying fertiliser and pesticide inputs, improved root growth and WUE when root growth is improved, and overall improvements in resilience of crops.
Closing date and timeFriday 31 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateTuesday 10 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177135 RFP
Proof of Concept Funding
The GRDC Proof of Concept Funding program focusses on research activities that provide critical information to give confidence in the potential concept or innovation and facilitates the scoping of future research and development. Proof of concept activities are a critical step in the development of any innovation. It is at this stage that evidence demonstrating the feasibility of an innovative concept is generated, typically through experimentation or pilot projects. Proof of concept investments are usually time-sensitive, relatively low in capital and set the scene for future development plans, typically involving a significant increase in the financial resources as well as technical sophistication required to take the innovation all the way to adoption and impact.
Closing date and timeFriday 14 February 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateMonday 09 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177116 RFT
Air Operated Sample Probes - Pneumatic Material Transfer
Large-seeded crops can produce varying grain quality outcomes under different environmental, management, and handling conditions. Growers and the industry alike need to have accurate sampling technology and methods at the point of receival to reduce business costs, risks and uncertainty. Growers have questioned the consistency and accuracy of the current sampling probes, particularly for larger pulse seeds such as chickpeas and faba beans. This project seeks to understand the accuracy of current technology for larger seeded pulses and aims to provide either: a) Confidence in the current technology and protocols; or b) Identify inaccuracies and recommend potential new sampling technology design(s) and/or protocols for potential adoption by industry that benefit all industry stakeholders
Closing date and timeFriday 14 February 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateMonday 09 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177174 RFT
Sharing grower stories of farm safety for awareness to aid behaviour change on farm
Work conducted by the National Centre for Farmer Health has identified that growers sharing stories of farm safety incidents and the consequent mitigation strategies is more effective in raising awareness and helping growers implement practice change compared to ‘experts’ sharing information on how to improve OH&S on farm. Improving farm safety culture is not easy and will require an ongoing program of work to have major impact. Changing growers’ behaviour to encourage implementation of interventions that support farm safety outcomes is a challenging process as there are demographic and regional differences in attitudes and practices.
Closing date and timeFriday 31 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateFriday 06 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177176 RFT
NGN Weed control Ag tech demonstration for the Vic Mallee and North Central Subregions
Growers at the Natya and Manangatang NGN Forums identified a desire to understand the options, fit and return on investment (ROI) of emerging ag tech weed control options that could benefit their operations. It was noted that growers are optimistically anticipating the role new weed control technology may be able to play in reducing herbicide input and weed management costs and maintaining grain market access by changing use patterns for herbicide chemistries. However, the high cost of the new technology adds significant risk and a potential barrier to adoption. Hence growers are keen to understand the fit, efficacy and impact on ROI of different weed management options. Of the options available, attendees were most keen to see green-on-green spray technology, automated sprayers, drone technology and non-chemical tech options such as mechanical and laser weeders demonstrated. Consequently, this investment is designed to demonstrate these technology types in local Victorian Mallee and North Central subregions, including side by side comparisons of the efficacy of weed control to assist growers in understanding the best fit for their local environment and evaluate the ROI of each new technology.
Closing date and timeThursday 23 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateMonday 02 December 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Closed
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Reference number: PROC-9177157 RFT
GRDC National Grower Network - Coordination and administration services for the Northern Region
The National Grower Network (NGN) program is designed to capture and respond promptly to grain grower issues and opportunities, ensure GRDC is investing in locally relevant research, and help drive adoption of R&D outputs. In doing so, the NGN also educates stakeholders of GRDC’s role and portfolio of investments and increases visibility of GRDC. The NGN helps to capture ideas, issues, constraints and opportunities for RD&E to enhance grower profitability. To achieve this, the team, with support from a service provider engage with stakeholders through forums that are open to all growers, advisers, researchers and industry parties.
Closing date and timeFriday 31 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateTuesday 26 November 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177172 EOI
Sponsorship - Events (round one 2025)
We are passionate about the Australian grains industry and value the opportunities events provide to engage with growers, researchers and other stakeholders, promote innovative and impactful RD&E, and develop industry capacity.
Closing date and timeWednesday 19 February 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateTuesday 19 November 2024Last updatedTuesday 17 December 2024 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177148 RFT
GRDC National Grower Network - Coordination and administration services for the Southern Region
The National Grower Network (NGN) program is designed to capture and respond promptly to grain grower issues and opportunities, ensure GRDC is investing in locally relevant research, and help drive adoption of R&D outputs. In doing so, the NGN also educates stakeholders of GRDC’s role and portfolio of investments and increases visibility of GRDC. The NGN helps to capture ideas, issues, constraints and opportunities for RD&E to enhance grower profitability. To achieve this, the team, with support from a service provider engage with stakeholders through forums that are open to all growers, advisers, researchers and industry parties. GRDC is looking to engage with a service provider to coordinate and administer to continue to deliver the NGN program. Key activities will include organisation, promotion and coordination of a series of NGN forums throughout the Southern Region. This will include administration tasks associated with the events, including minute taking, evaluation and registration of attendees. Close collaboration with the Grower and Stakeholder Engagement team will ensure these activities are delivered professionally across the Southern Region.
Closing date and timeFriday 31 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateFriday 15 November 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177149 RFT
GRDC National Grower Network - Coordination and administration services for the Western Region
The delivery of efficient and impactful NGN forums by Grower Relations Managers (GRMs) has been enabled by the engagement of service providers to provide administrative and organisational support in each region. The service providers have access to a team of staff to undertake key activities at peak times, bring a broad network of growers, grower groups, advisers and agronomists. These service agreements are ending in 2025, and this investment proposal is designed to provide flexible engagements (GRDC NGN and industry events) with a coordinated and regionally nuanced approach over the next three years.
Closing date and timeFriday 31 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateFriday 15 November 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177160 RFT
GRDC National Grower Network - Facilitation training for staff
The National Grower Network (NGN) program is designed to capture and respond promptly to grain grower issues and opportunities, ensure GRDC is investing in locally relevant research, and help drive adoption of R&D outputs. In doing so, the NGN also educates stakeholders of GRDC’s role and portfolio of investments and increases visibility of GRDC. The NGN helps to capture ideas, issues, constraints and opportunities for RD&E to enhance grower profitability. To achieve this, the team, with support from a service provider engage with stakeholders through forums that are open to all growers, advisers, researchers and industry parties.To help GRDC reach the overall outcome for this program an additional output is to provide meeting facilitation and engagement training to upskill GRDC staff and panels is required. Key activities will include organising and delivering workshops and coaching sessions that focus on preparing for and facilitating forums/meetings, assessment of individual strengths and weaknesses, and targets for continuous improvement.
Closing date and timeFriday 31 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateFriday 15 November 2024Last updatedThursday 23 January 2025 Tender status: Open
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Reference number: PROC-9177073 EOI
Sponsorship - Grower and advisor study tours - round one 2025
We are passionate about the Australian grains industry and recognise the value in grower, researcher and industry engagement. A well planned study tour can provide lessons on issues relevant to participants and accelerate the uptake of research and development (R&D) outputs. Ultimately, improving the profitability and sustainability of grain growing operations.
Closing date and timeMonday 20 January 2025, at 05:00 PM ACT local timeRelease dateMonday 23 September 2024Last updatedMonday 23 September 2024 Tender status: Closed