The National Pulse Expansion, Improvement, and Adoption Program – Western Region Pulse Research, Demonstration, and Extension

⁠⁠⁠Overview

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is proposing a new Western Region investment, the National Pulse Expansion, Improvement, and Adoption Program, Western Region Pulse Research, Demonstration, and Extension, to help more growers profitably include pulse crops in their farming systems.

About

Pulses such as lupins, lentils, chickpeas and faba beans improve rotations, add nitrogen and support more diverse, profitable farming systems. Adoption in Western Australia remains limited by practical barriers around establishment, weed and disease management, harvestability, market access, storage and confidence in local performance.

Purpose

The investment is intended to help more Western Region growers profitably include pulse crops in their farming systems by addressing the practical barriers that currently limit pulse adoption in Western Australia.

Objectives

By 2032, the investment aims to:

• Equip Western Region growers and advisers with the knowledge and confidence to increase pulse production and improve gross margins
• Strengthen pulse agronomy capability in Western Australia
• Leave a better-connected legacy of trial results, resources and practical guidance

Scope

The investment proposes a regional "hub and spoke" model linking practical paddock-scale learning with rigorous field research. The scope includes:

• Hub sites addressing key knowledge gaps
• Spoke sites delivering locally relevant trials, demonstrations, field days and workshops for growers and advisers
• Generating quality datasets for industry
• Local grower groups, advisers and stakeholders shaping annual priorities for each agro-ecological zone
• Drawing on the National Pulse Coordination and Strategy program for expertise in agronomy, crop protection, rhizobia, soils, trial design, data analysis, extension and markets, with flexibility to adjust as opportunities change

Eligibility

• GRDC will not accept Tenders from Consortia

Tender Briefing

• Date: 19 August 2026
• Time: 1:00 pm Canberra local time
• Format: Virtual briefing (Microsoft Teams meeting), with no restriction on attendee numbers

To register, provide your name and email address to Tenders@grdc.com.au by 18 August 2026. Refer to Clause 10 of the RFT Terms and Conditions for further registration details.

Instructions to Tenderers

• Submit your tender response electronically through the Grains Investment Portal
• Offers will remain open for acceptance by the GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time
• Make all requests for further information or clarification in writing (email) prior to 15 September 2026
• GRDC will publish all requests and responses to requests on the GRDC website under Questions and Answers at the bottom of the relevant webpage

Enquiries

• Attention: Brianna Oram
• Organisation: Grains Research and Development Corporation
• Email: tenders@grdc.com.au
• Enquiry deadline: Tuesday 15 September 2026, at 05:00 PM (Australian Eastern Standard Time)