NGN - Evaluating deep sowing of Oats in WA production systems

⁠⁠⁠There has been a trend for increasing summer rain and later autumn sowing breaks throughout the WA wheatbelt. Potential utilization of soil moisture stored below conventional sowing depths give growers the opportunity to potentially increase yield while mitigating abiotic risk. Oat seedlings emerge by elongation of both the mesocotyl and coleoptile so oats can be sown deeper than wheat and barley.

Long mesocotyls and coleoptiles in oats would permit deep sowing into subsoil moisture stored from summer rains; enabling earlier germination and crop growth to occur under optimal conditions especially for longer season varieties. Although oats are not completely tolerant to frost and will get frosted, this is less so than wheat or barley. Sowing oats at depth when moisture is available would also provide a risk mitigation opportunity in a frost prone area.

To better understand the fit of deep sown oats in their production systems, growers require knowledge of the depths at which oats can be sown and the agronomic impacts of seeding at depths below those currently recommended. Growers also need to be provided with information on potential changes to machinery that may be required to facilitate the deeper sowing of oats.

Other Instructions:

Clarification in relation to this procurement can be made in writing (email to tenders@grdc.com.au) prior to 30 January 2024. However, due to the GRDC Christmas Shutdown, enquiries will only be responded to from the 08 January 2024.

GRDC will publish all requests and responses to requests on the GRDC website under Questions and Answers at the bottom of this webpage.

Conditions for Participation:

The following are mandatory conditions with which a Tenderer must comply to participate in this procurement process:

1.The Tenderer must be a single legal entity or recognized firm of partners

2.The Tenderer and any proposed subcontractor must be compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 and any other applicable labour laws and standards in the jurisdiction in which they operate.

3. The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not have a judicial decision against it (not including decisions under appeal) relating to employee entitlements and who have not paid the claim.

4. The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not be named on the Consolidated List, being the list of persons and entities who are subject to targeted financial sanctions or travel bans under Australian sanction laws, as maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Timeframe for Delivery:

It is anticipated that any resultant contract in relation to this procurement will commence with a proposed term of 38 months, commencing March 2024

Estimated Value (AUD): From $330,000.00 to $350,000.00

Address for Lodgment:

Tenderers must submit their responses electronically through the Grains Investment Portal at: https://access.grdc.com.au

For information on 'Applying' and how to register refer to the ATM details on the GRDC's Website https://grdc.com.au/