LOCAL grain growers were able to air their issues as part of a tour by the Grains Research and Development Corporation's southern regional panel.
Panel members were travelling throughout southern New South Wales, Victoria and SA during their annual spring tour of growers' properties, research facilities and trial sites and gave a presentation to about 100 people at Naracoorte Town Hall on August 29.
They also met with farming systems groups, researchers and farm advisers.
Panel chair David Shannon said the annual spring tour was one of the most important activities for the panel.
"During the tour we will meet with farming systems groups and grain growers in the field, which will provide panel members with an intimate understanding of local issues, allowing us to determine future research priorities," he said.
"As the conduit for growers, it is important for the panel to be on the ground talking directly to grain producers so we can ensure future research is directed at making the biggest impact possible for them on-farm.
"Panel member Susan Findlay Tickner met with Naracoorte farmers and said the information they presented was applicable to the Naracoorte region - a high-rainfall zone.
"The information we present is tailored to the people attending," she said.
"Certain data for this region wouldn't be considered for other regions.
"Items for discussion included water quality and issues arising from different chemicals and ph levels and new wheat varieties for the higher rainfall zone.
"Farmers are looking for early vigour and waterlogging resistant wheats," Ms Findlay Tickner said.
The information session finished with a discussion on direct heading canola.
"It (direct heading) is a viable option if conditions are right and the colour change is suitable," she said.
"That is when they have a standard change of oil colour across the paddock."
From here the findings will be reported back to the panel, where they can be tailored into programs aimed to assist farmers in the SE and similar regions.