Barley Net Blotch Initiative (BNBI) Program 3 – Integrated disease management and extension

Overview The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is seeking a capable partner to deliver Program 3 of the Barley Net Blotch Initiative (BNBI), covering integrated disease management and extension. The partner will provide regionally validated integrated management strategies and supportive tools for net blotches, and drive grower practice change through communication, extension, and monitoring and evaluation. About Net blotches pose an escalating and urgent threat to Australian barley, costing the industry an estimated $122 million each year through disease-related yield losses, downgraded grain quality, and higher fungicide management costs. Net form net blotch (NFNB), caused by Pyrenophora teres f. teres (Ptt), and spot form net blotch (SFNB), caused by Pyrenophora teres f. maculata (Ptm), are the most economically damaging foliar diseases of barley in Australia, accounting for an estimated 80% of total yield losses from barley foliar pathogens. The estimated average annual cost to growers can be greater than $46/ha for SFNB and $42/ha for NFNB. Over the past decade, GRDC has invested in net blotch research through a bilateral partnership with the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM), the Net Blotch Consortium (NBC), and a range of individual projects now nearing completion. These investments have built momentum and capability and generated valuable knowledge and data. GRDC is establishing a nationally coordinated, five-year Barley Net Blotch Initiative comprising three interlinked programs (surveillance, genetics and management) supported by a dedicated national coordinator. This procurement relates to Program 3 of the initiative. The related programs are: Program 1 - Pathogen surveillance, monitoring, and screening Program 2 - Host and pathogen genetics Program 3 - Integrated disease management and extension Program C - Coordination and capacity development Purpose Widespread planting of susceptible varieties, the practice of growing barley on barley, and an over-reliance on fungicides with a singular mode of action are driving net blotch pathogens to evolve and spread faster than current surveillance, varietal resistance breeding, management and extension efforts can respond. New, aggressive strains can spread more than 400 km in a few years and overcome varietal resistance within about five, far outpacing current surveillance and breeding cycles. Resistance or reduced sensitivity has now been detected in strains against all three registered fungicide mode of action groups used for net blotch management, and growers are relying on fewer chemical options and limited effective varietal resistance, while uptake of integrated management strategies is constrained by barriers to extension and adoption. Major gaps remain in grower understanding of what single-variety cultivation means for fungicide resistance development, the yield impact of net blotches across environments, and the effectiveness of integrated cultural practices for disease suppression. This investment seeks to help Australian barley growers keep ahead of a threat that is moving faster than current tools can handle, consolidating, re-scoping, and accelerating existing efforts to deliver net blotch control options to growers faster and at greater scale. Objectives BNBI Program 3 objectives are: Deliver regionally validated integrated management strategies and supportive tools for net blotches Drive grower practice changes through communication, extension and monitoring and evaluation Scope The scope includes: Leveraging, extending, and validating the NetBlotchBM app, an existing GRDC co-funded decision-support tool that combines paddock, variety, seasonal, price and management inputs to compare disease-control options and estimate likely financial returns for both net blotch forms Shifting extension from information dissemination to behaviour change by translating program findings into timely, practical and accessible information that improves grower practices Delivering targeted communication, audience engagement, fit-for-purpose resources, monitoring and evaluation, and behavioural science-informed extension for growers, advisers and other industry audiences Contractor Requirements A suitable partner will demonstrate access, within the lead organisation or through delivery partners or subcontractors, to the communication, extension and technical expertise required to deliver the program effectively Contract Terms and Conditions Offers will remain open for acceptance by GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time It is envisaged that the project will be contracted via a Two-Party agreement with sub-contracting arrangements Instructions to Tenderers GRDC will accept Tenders from Consortia and is encouraging collaboration. Make all requests for further information or clarification in relation to this procurement in writing (email) prior to 24 November 2026. GRDC will publish all requests and responses to requests on the GRDC website under Questions and Answers at the bottom of the webpage. Enquiries Attention: Justine Morgan Organisation: Grains Research and Development Corporation Email: tenders@grdc.com.au