Coordinator – Soilborne Disease Initiative (SBDI)
Tender ID: 581502
Tender Details
Tender Description
Summary
The SBDI is a strategic investment aimed at addressing the significant yield losses caused by soilborne pathogens in Australian grains. These diseases impose an annual yield loss of over $1.71 billion across all grains, with $1.23 billion in wheat alone. Current management strategies are limited by genetic resistance, chemical control options, and crop rotation constraints.
To ensure a collaborative national effort, the SBDI will be facilitated by a National Co-ordinator. This co-ordinator will facilitate and organise the annual SBDI research forum, provide support and quality assurance for all reporting and communication from programs for the GRDC Initiative Manager, and chair the annual Program Advisory Committee (PAC).
Offer period
Offers will remain open for acceptance by the GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time.
Document contact and enquiries
Attention: Anjana Gakhar or Wendy Bosci
Grains Research and Development Corporation
Email: cpprocurements@grdc.com.au
Make all requests for further information or clarification in relation to this procurement in writing (email) prior to 23 April 2025.
GRDC will publish all requests and responses to requests on the GRDC website under Questions and Answers at the bottom of this webpage.
Description
The Soilborne Disease Initiative (SBDI) is a strategic investment aimed at addressing the significant yield losses caused by soilborne pathogens in Australian grains. These diseases impose an annual yield loss of over $1.71 billion across all grains, with $1.23 billion in wheat alone. Current management strategies are limited by genetic resistance, chemical control options, and crop rotation constraints.
The SBDI proposes a coordinated approach to tackle these pathogens through a single collaborative program. This initiative will merge existing pathogen-specific investments into a comprehensive effort involving six nodes across various regions in Australia. The program will focus on integrated disease management, economic impact assessment, and novel strategies for disease control.
The benefits of this investment include providing growers with practical and economical options to control pathogen load, reducing associated yield losses, and enhancing the development and adoption of integrated management strategies. The initiative is expected to optimize profitability, sustainability, and resilience across the grains sector.
In summary, the SBDI represents a substantial and necessary increase in resources dedicated to soilborne disease management. It aims to deliver significant economic returns by reducing yield losses and providing innovative solutions to growers, ultimately benefiting the entire grains industry.
The Soilborne Disease Initiative (SBDI) will see a coordinated approach to tackle a wide range of SBD pathogens. The SBDI will deliver five programs:
Program 1. Economic impact of soilborne disease. (2-year program, commencing Jan 2026)
Program 2. Mapping soilborne disease at a paddock scale. (3-year program, commencing Jan 2026)
Program 3. Integrated management of soilborne disease. (5-year program, commencing Jul 2025)
Program 4. Novel strategies for soilborne disease control. (4-year program, commencing Jan 2026)
Program 5. National SBDI Co-ordination. (5-year program, commencing Jul 2025)
Program 3 of the SBDI will have six nodes across WA, SA, VIC, NSW and QLD. Pathologists from key SBD pathosystems will work together around the key themes of Integrated Disease Management (IDM) of SBD. The expertise of national leaders from current investments will be maintained within Program 3 as theme leaders for each disease/crop pathosystem; Fusarium Crown Rot (cereals), Rhizoctonia Bare Patch (cereals), Sclerotinia Stem Rot (oilseeds. pulses), Nematodes (cereals/pulses), Fungi/Oomycetes (pulses).
In addition to continuing the current IDM investments, the SBDI will deliver three new multidisciplinary programs. These programs will gather essential knowledge to guide future GRDC investments and provide growers with strategic, practical and economical options to control pathogen load and reduce associated yield losses.
The SBDI will be supported by a strategic communication, extension and adoption program through AFREN ensuring a strong focus on delivery of outputs and information generated being extended to growers with clear demonstration to adoption. This will ensure the prompt delivery of outputs to growers and advisers. Emphasising regional extension and practical demonstration of developed research will ensure that growers have timely access to cutting-edge information and best practices for addressing their soilborne disease management challenges.
To ensure a collaborative national effort, the SBDI will be facilitated by a National Co-ordinator (Program 5 – this tender). This co-ordinator will facilitate and organise the annual SBDI research forum, provide support and quality assurance for all reporting and communication from programs for the GRDC Initiative Manager, and chair the annual Program Advisory Committee (PAC).
The SBDI research forum requires a budget for venue, catering, and audio/visual costs for about 50 attendees. Individual programs will cover travel and accommodation costs for their own staff. The annual PAC meeting needs similar arrangements for around 24 participants, however, the PAC will include 3 regional agronomists who will require budget allocated within this tender for the meetings (including payment for their time). The PAC will provide expert advice and guidance, ensure project outputs are met, identify potential risks, advise on relevant activities outside the initiative's scope, and foster connections between projects and stakeholders.
Location
New South Wales : Central West : Far North Coast : Far West : Hunter : Illawarra : Mid North Coast : Murray : New England : Orana : Riverina : Southern Highlands : Sydney
Queensland : Cairns & Far North Queensland : Gladstone : Mackay Whitsunday Region : Mount Isa & North West Region : Rockhampton : South East Queensland : South West & Darling Downs : The Central West : Townsville : Wide Bay Burnett
Victoria : Barwon South West : Gippsland : Grampians : Hume : Loddon Mallee : Melbourne
South Australia : Adelaide : Eyre & Western : Far North : Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island : Limestone Coast : Murray & Mallee : York & Mid North
Northern Territory : Barkly : Big Rivers : Central Australia : East Arnhem : Greater Darwin : Top End
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania
