National Variety Trials Program 2020-2024

The National Variety Trials (NVT) program was established in 2005 by GRDC to assist Australian growers’ variety selections by providing a national program of comparative crop variety testing with standardised trial management, data generation, collection and dissemination. The need for NVT was driven by the need for growers to access independent, robust and relevant evaluation information to assist in choosing varieties most suited to their environment. The largest co-ordinated field trial network of its kind in the world, NVT is a 100% GRDC investment.

GRDC contracts service providers to independently manage NVT field trials and the data collected is analysed and subsequently extended to growers through the NVT online website, state sowing guides and various other communication/extension activities.

The NVT program is structured such that GRDC retains ownership of all data generated, thereby ensuring the independence of the information, and freedom to operate.

The following key principles are integral to the smooth running of the NVT project:

1. Ensuring all investment activities align with the GRDC's purpose and operating policies.
2. Maintaining independence from breeding company activities and results.
3. Remaining focused on variety ranking and performance.
4. Using robust statistics to improve variety performance rankings.
5. Ensuring NVT activities are undertaken in accordance with the NVT protocols and all datasets are stored in the NVT database.

During the next stage of the NVT program serveral key changes will be implemented. Including but not limited to:

1. Quality testing of replicated samples instead of composite samples.
2. Additional requirements in preparation of samples for quality testing.
3. Implementation of required standards for labs undertaking quality testing.
4. Expanded scope of NVT to include Ancillary Research Services outlined in Module B of the "Annex to Conditions of Tender".

For full details on the ATM and any associated attachments as well as information on any Questions and Answers relating to the ATM, visit https://grdc.com.au/research/applying-and-reporting/current-procurement/open-tenders