Applications open for COGGO research project funding in 2021

9 June 2020

A call for a new round of research projects to benefit West Australian 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 2021 to benefit growers in the Western Australian grains industry.

In calling for Expressions of Interest, Rhys Turton the Chairman of COGGO said “Whilst 2020 is proving extremely challenging for research project operations, COGGO is pleased to give confidence to the grains industry in announcing opportunities for funding of new local research and development projects starting next year for anything that can benefit the Western Australian grains industry”.

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 Western Australian grain growers as a result of that research.

Topics funded for projects commencing in 2020 included:

• Development of non-GM frost-tolerant wheat for WA growers
• AI for grain biosecurity.
• Maximising fallow rotations with a ‘Strip and Disc’ strategy to increase water use efficiency and subsequent crop yields across the wheatbelt region of Western Australia.
• Canola establishment – is it improved through the application of wetters to the seed in marginal conditions?
• Improving grains growth and yield using liquid potassium phosphate fertiliser
• Impact of stubble management on small conical snail mortality.

The Council of Grain Growers Organisations Limited (COGGO) established the COGGO Research Fund to invest in innovative research and development projects across the whole supply chain that can demonstrate a direct benefit to Western Australian 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 Western Australian grain growers who are members of COGGO with the cooperation 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) Inc administers the COGGO Research Fund on behalf of COGGO. Further information and an “Expression of Interest” application form is available from GIWA at www.giwa.org.au/coggoresearchfund or by phoning (08) 6262 2128.

The closing date for Expressions of Interest is Friday 17th July, 2020.  Those applicants who have their Expression of Interest accepted will then be invited to submit a Project proposal.

ENDS

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