GRDC Farm Business Updates come to Pittsworth, Goondiwindi and Narrabri this July

14 July 2026, AU: Grain growers and advisers across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales will have the opportunity to sharpen their business and people‑management skills at the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Farm Business Updates in Pittsworth, Goondiwindi and Narrabri from 21–23 July 2026.

Unlike traditional agronomy‑focused Updates, the Farm Business Updates place the spotlight on the business, financial and human‑skills capabilities that underpin profitable, resilient grain enterprises. Each program has been shaped around priorities identified directly by regional growers.

GRDC Senior Regional Manager – North, Rebecca Raymond, said the July series would give growers access to practical insights they can apply immediately in their businesses.

“Growers tell us that business capability is just as important as agronomy when it comes to long‑term profitability. These Updates bring together experts who can translate complex topics into clear, usable strategies for farm businesses,” Ms Raymond said.

“What makes these events special is the mix of financial, people‑management and risk‑management content — all grounded in the realities growers are facing right now. It’s a chance to step back from day‑to‑day operations and invest in the skills that strengthen whole‑farm performance.”

Pittsworth – Tuesday 21 July 2026

Pittsworth Function Centre, 42 Hume St, Pittsworth QLD
9:30 am – 3:05 pm (doors open 9:00 am)

The Pittsworth Update features a strong mix of business strategy, technology adoption and risk‑management topics, including:

• Infrastructure and machinery purchase risk — Ben White (Kondinin Group) explores the key questions growers should ask before committing to major assets.

• Autonomous optical spot sprayers — Tom Coggan (grain grower) shares real‑world experience on ROI and impacts on labour, capital and management.

• Smarter procurement — Rob Dawes (AgProcure) outlines practical actions to reduce input costs.

• Effective decision‑making under pressure — Rick Llewellyn (CSIRO) presents insights from the GRDC RiskWi$e project.

• Positive, productive communication — Jane Foster (Emotional Resilience Training) shares tools for building emotionally resilient teams.

• Grain price outlook — Andrew Whitelaw (Episode3) unpacks global and domestic market drivers.

Goondiwindi – Wednesday 22 July 2026

Goondiwindi Community Centre, Cnr Russell & Short Sts, Goondiwindi QLD 
9:00 am – 2:40 pm (doors open 8:30 am)

The Goondiwindi program focuses on strengthening financial resilience and improving decision‑making in a volatile operating environment, with sessions including:

• Grain price outlook — Andrew Whitelaw (Episode3) discusses global uncertainty and likely impacts.

• Financial resilience and OpEx management — Simon Fritsch (AgriPath) breaks down operating expenditure, machinery replacement economics and investment decisions.

• Infrastructure and machinery purchase risk — Ben White (Kondinin Group) outlines practical considerations for major asset decisions.

• Communication and emotional resilience — Jane Foster provides tools for productive communication and team stability.

• Behavioural biases in farm decisions — Rick Llewellyn (CSIRO) shares insights from the GRDC RiskWi$e project.

• Global insights on resilient farm businesses — Jarrod Amery (Amery Ag) shares practical lessons from his Nuffield Scholarship.

Narrabri – Thursday 23 July 2026

Narrabri Crossing Theatre, 117 Tibbereena Street, Narrabri NSW 
9:00 am – 2:45 pm (doors open 8:30 am)

The Narrabri Update brings together a strong mix of market, financial and people‑management topics, including:

• Grain price outlook — Vítor Caçula Pistóia (RaboBank) discusses global and domestic drivers.

• Communication and emotional resilience — Jane Foster provides practical tools for positive, productive communication.

• Financial resilience and machinery replacement economics — Simon Fritsch (AgriPath) outlines strategies for managing OpEx and investment decisions.

• Infrastructure and machinery purchase risk — Ben White (Kondinin Group) explores key considerations for major asset decisions.

• Effective decision‑making — Rick Llewellyn (CSIRO) presents a clear process to support better decisions under pressure.

• Global insights on resilient farm businesses — Jarrod Amery shares lessons from leading operations worldwide.

A valuable opportunity for growers

Ms Raymond said the Updates were designed to give growers confidence in the decisions that shape business performance.

“Every session is built around real‑world challenges growers are facing – from managing costs and investment decisions to building stronger teams and navigating volatile markets. It’s practical, it’s relevant and it’s delivered by people who genuinely understand the grains industry,” she said.

“We’d love to see growers and advisers take advantage of these free events. They’re a great chance to learn, connect and walk away with ideas that can make a real difference.”

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