A CALL for a new round of research projects to benefit WA grain growers has been announced by the Council of Grain Grower Organisations Limited (COGGO).
COGGO is looking to fund new innovative ideas for start-up R&D projects commencing in 2020 to benefit growers in the WA grains industry.
In calling for expressions of interest, COGGO chairman Rhys Turton said COGGO was pleased to offer funding of local research and development projects aimed at improving the profitable growing of grain crops in WA.
Projects funding ranges between $20,000 up to $75,000 per annum for a one or two-year project and is allocated on a competitive basis to projects which offer clear benefits to WA grain growers as a result of that research.
"For 2020 projects we have increased the maximum funding for the year from $50,000 to $75,000 offering more value to successful projects," Mr Turton said.
"COGGO receives a wide range of applications for projects from grower groups, universities, CSIRO, the State government's agriculture department and agricultural consultants and has funded over 50 projects in the last seven years".
Topics funded for projects in the past year include:
Ground-truthing field expression and value of new flowering time genes in lupins for WA
A novel approach to improving Stagonospora notorum blotch (SNB) tolerance in wheat
The role of ice nucleating bacteria in frost sensitivity of cereals in WA
Increasing barley yield under future temperature increases
Using long season wheats for increases in profits and grazing opportunities
COGGO established the Research Fund to invest in innovative research and development projects across the whole supply chain that can demonstrate a direct benefit to WA grain growers.
It is focused on funding catalytic or start up "proof of concept" research that can lead to further development using government, grower or commercial funding.
The COGGO Research Fund is financed through a voluntary levy collected from WA grain growers who are members of COGGO with the co-operation of grain acquisition and marketing companies.
All WA grain growers are eligible to become members of COGGO.
The Grain Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA) administers the COGGO Research Fund on behalf of COGGO.
Further information and an Expression of Interest application form is available from GIWA at giwa.org.au/coggoresearchfund or by calling 6262 2128.
The closing date is Friday, July 5, 2019.
Those applicants who have their expression of interest accepted will then be invited to submit a project proposal.
