About Us
About NGA
Northern Grower Alliance (NGA) was an Incorporated Association that operated between 2005-2024 to provide a regional capacity for industry-driven, applied agronomic research into the challenges of grain production.
Information on the background and structure of the NGA, together with our vision and mission statements, can be gained from the menu on the left.
Vision Statement
The Northern Grower Alliance provided independent and industry leading practical agronomic research in northern New South Wales and adjacent areas of southern Queensland.
Mission
The Northern Grower Alliance co-ordinated and conducted applied agronomic research in response to prioritised northern region grain grower needs. Projects were developed in collaboration with key researchers to ensure sound scientific and practical evaluation of the impact and benefits of new practices. Rapid communication of project outcomes through the associated comprehensive network of consultants and agronomists ensured prompt and appropriate levels of industry uptake and adoption.
Background
The Northern Grower Alliance was created in 2005 from the vision and drive of six leading northern consultants and agronomists: Michael Castor, Robert Long, Drew Penberthy, Greg Rummery, Greg Giblett and Peter McKenzie, representing the interests and needs of over 170 growers involved in six separate grower ‘groups’. With the expertise of Jules Dixon, the group developed a business plan
and model to assist in providing practical, industry-driven, agronomic research.
The advisers and growers shared common concerns
- Often a gap between research and development focus and real industry needs
- Lack of validation of benefits under commercial conditions
- Lack of structure that could respond rapidly to specific production constraints
The NGA was designed to provide a structure to address the original concerns but also work in close collaboration with existing research, development and extension providers by
- Taking promising research to commercial validation earlier
- Providing additional grower/ industry driven feedback on needs
- Helping extend results alongside agency agronomists
- Maximising the efficiency of local and regional research and development effort
The scope or direct area of influence from NGA covered ~ 1.5 million ha of cropping in the northern grains region.
Structure
NGA had 6 major ‘nodes’ or regions of focus:
- Darling Downs
- Mungindi/ Balonne
- Goondiwindi
- Moree/ Narrabri
- Walgett and
- Liverpool Plains
In each node a Local Research Group (LRG) was established, made up from key local advisers, growers and agency extension officers.
The LRG’s role was to identify and prioritise specific agronomic production issues but they were also a key component of communication or extension activity.
NGA’s function was to rapidly develop and progress projects in response to the key industry issues.
LRG’s met twice each year to review results from the previous season’s work and to identify and prioritise new or continuing projects of importance.