RiskWi$e Roadshow and Conference: Advancing Decision-Making in Australian Grain Production

In late June, the RiskWi$e ‘roadshow’ team travelled to Dalwallinu, Western Australia, uniting grower groups, researchers, and GRDC staff from across Australia. The primary focus was to discuss the objectives of the new RiskWi$e initiative, a five-year, $30 million national investment by GRDC in collaboration with CSIRO, six Action Research Groups, and 26 Grower Groups. This initiative aims to improve decision-making, manage uncertainty through analytical insights on risk, and maximize impact with a participatory action research approach.

The trip included an in-depth look at the Liebe Group’s trials on canola sowing times, highlighting the importance of slow-thinking processes in decision-making under uncertain conditions. These trials provided a practical backdrop for discussing risk, illustrating how early sowing opportunities and the incorporation of canola into farming systems can influence decision-making.

Before the roadshow, the RiskWi$e team attended a two-day conference in Perth. Led by the Grower Group Alliance (GGA) and supported by eight grower groups working across the WA Wheatbelt and South Coast, this event focused on the riskiest decisions in grain production and how locally based knowledge can better inform these decisions. Key discussions revolved around nitrogen decision themes, insights from behavioural science studies, and new themes for phase two of RiskWi$e.

The conference emphasized three main goals: enhancing decision-making processes, delivering the best possible information to growers, and maximizing impact through participatory learning and action-based research. The diverse participation of grower groups reflects the project’s broad scope and innovative approach, pushing new boundaries in agricultural research and decision-making.

RiskWi$e is set to transform how growers manage risk, leveraging grassroots input and cutting-edge research to achieve more informed and effective farming decisions. Find out more about the project here. 

Participants at Liebe Group’s canola fields

(L>R) GGA’s Daniel Kidd, Aeneva Poulish Project Officer for Liebe Group and GGA CEO, Rikki Foss at the Liebe Group Office