Sorghum National Variety Trials 2021-2024

Background

The National Variety Trials (NVT), provides Australian growers and advisers with access to independent, robust and relevant evaluation of crop varieties to assist in choosing varieties most suited to their environment.

The need to continue the Sorghum NVT program is driven by grower’s desire to access independent testing data of hybrid performance in order to make variety decisions that will make them more profitable. The sorghum NVT program delivers trials in 22 locations across Queensland, Northern New South Wales, and the Ord River, WA. In providing this information, NVT seeks to accelerate the adoption of new, superior hybrids, leading to increased grower profitability.

This procurement will source, through an open market approach, service providers who have the appropriate technical skills and experience to provide research and development services for the GRDC Sorghum NVT program in order to ensure the program is run successfully.

Investment Description

GRDC requires service providers to independently manage Sorghum NVT field trials and the collection of trial data.

The NVT Sorghum trial network is divided into eight regions of:

1Central Queensland North

2Central Queensland South

3Southern Queensland East

4Southern Queensland West,

5Northern New South Wales East

6Northern New South Wales West

7Liverpool Plains

8Ord

Each production region will require a Trial Service Provider to manage three National Variety Trials in each zone except for Kununurra (one trial).

In addition to trial management the Trial Service Provider will undertake replicated grain quality testing for each trial for (i.e. screenings and hectolitre weight).

Expected Outcome

From 2021, growers continue to have access to an independent source of hybrid performance data which enables them to realise increased profit by adopting the best hybrids available for their farming systems.

Expected Outputs

From 2021 annual implementation of the planned hybrid performance field trials as per NVT Sorghum Protocol standards.

1. Trial design and sowing
2. Trial management
3. Data Collection and uploading to database
4. Grain quality assessments

Proposed GRDC Investment

The GRDC is focussed on delivering value to Australian grain grower, therefore, your application must demonstrate fair market value.

Contracting

The investment will be contracted on the NVT Service Agreement

It is envisaged this investment covers four years, with project planning commencing in April 2021.

For full details on the ATM and any associated attachments as well as information on any Questions and Answers relating to the ATM, visithttps://grdc.com.au