Grain Producers Australia (GPA) welcomes the Victorian Government decision today proposing a significant delay in workplace changes to phosphine fumigant use. WorkSafe Victoria announced today a proposal to delay the commencement of new Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) for 15 airborne contaminants, including phosphine, until 1 December 2029. It is hoped that this is the first sensible announcement of many from state regulators who will be charged with enforcing new standard

Barry Large has stepped down as Chair of Grain Producers Australia after 16 years on the board. Countryman reflected on his contribution to the organisation, highlighting his role as a founding director, his leadership on national grain policy and biosecurity, and his work to establish an independent national voice for Australian grain producers. Reflecting on his time with the organisation, Barry said one achievement stood above the rest. "I was there at the very start, when

Falling global urea prices are exposing the unintended consequences of the Federal Government's fertiliser support package. Grain Central reported that while the scheme helped secure supply during a period of global uncertainty, independent suppliers are now carrying significant losses as prices retreat, prompting fresh questions about competition across Australia's fertiliser market. Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Mark Schilling said the impacts were bein

Grain Producers Australia has entered a new chapter with the election of Northern Region Director Matthew Madden as Chair and Southern Region Director Mark Schilling as Deputy Chair. The Land also recognised the contribution of outgoing Chair Barry Large and Independent Director Mitch Hooke, highlighting their combined decades of service and leadership within the organisation. Reflecting on the transition, incoming Chair Matthew Madden said the organisation would continue to

Proposed changes to phosphine fumigation rules were a key topic at this year's Australian Grain Industry Conference. Grain Central reported that Grain Producers Australia has joined Grain Trade Australia, GrainGrowers and other industry organisations in pushing for practical, evidence-based changes, warning the proposed requirements could significantly disrupt grain storage and export without improving worker safety. The article highlights the united industry approach to enga

Questions about future access to crop protection products have been raised following Syngenta's decision to withdraw from the Australian and New Zealand paraquat market. Farm Weekly explored the implications for growers, with Grain Producers Australia warning the decision highlights the challenges of maintaining investment and choice in Australia's relatively small agricultural chemical market. Grain Producers Australia Western Region Director Duncan Young said the announceme

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has elected Northern Region Director Matthew Madden as its new Chair following the organisation’s Annual General Meeting today. Mr Madden, a New South Wales grain producer from Moree who has served as GPA Deputy Chair since 2023, succeeds Barry Large, who steps down after five years as Chair and sixteen years of service on the GPA Board, including as one of the organisation’s founding directors. Southern Region Director Mark Schilling has bee

Syngenta's decision to withdraw from the Australian paraquat market has attracted international attention. The Times of India reported on the implications for Australian growers, highlighting concerns that while generic products remain available, the withdrawal raises broader questions about future product choice, investment and long-term access to essential crop protection tools. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said

Syngenta's decision to withdraw from the Australian paraquat market has raised fresh questions about long-term access to important crop protection products. ABC Rural reported that while generic products will remain available, Grain Producers Australia believes the company's departure creates uncertainty for growers and the implementation of the APVMA's new paraquat requirements. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said

Syngenta’s withdrawal from the Australian paraquat market has exposed the vulnerability of local growers when global commercial decisions reduce access to essential crop protection products. Grain Producers Australia (GPA) Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann the decision is particularly concerning because Syngenta is the original paraquat registrant and has been a long-term foundation of the Australian market. Syngenta's announcement today closel

By Grain Producers Australia Biosecurity Committee Chair Barry Large Late last month, H5N1 bird flu was confirmed in a brown skua found near Esperance, on Western Australia's south coast. It was the first detection of this strain on the Australian mainland, and it means the virus has now reached every continent on Earth. For a country that has spent decades building one of the most respected biosecurity systems in the world, it's a sobering moment. It's also, I'd argue, the w

Proposed changes to workplace exposure limits for phosphine are prompting concern across the Australian grains industry. Grain Central reported that Grain Producers Australia has joined Grain Trade Australia, GrainGrowers, bulk handlers and other industry organisations in seeking a practical, evidence-based pathway, warning the new limits could disrupt grain storage, handling and exports while creating compliance challenges ahead of harvest. The article highlights the industr

The future of Australia's wheat export framework is back in focus as the Federal Government consults on changes to the Wheat Port Code. Farm Weekly reported on the proposed transition to a streamlined code and the differing views across industry on how competition, transparency and fair access to export terminals should be managed in the years ahead. Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Andrew Weidemann said the current framework had played an important role in

Notice is hereby given that the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Grain Producers Australia Limited (ABN 63 111 159 998) will be held as a hybrid meeting on Monday 27 July 2026 commencing at 9:00am AEST. Members can attend the meeting in person at the ANZ building, 833 Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria or participate online via Zoom (meeting link HERE). Please click to register for the meeting via Eventbrite HERE The meeting will cover the following agenda items: Welcome Min

Australia's fertiliser market is adjusting to a sharp fall in global urea prices, with Grain Central reporting that suppliers outside the Federal Government's fertiliser support package are carrying significant losses after importing higher-priced product during the market peak. The article also explores concerns about competition and the longer-term impacts of the government's intervention on the fertiliser market. Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Mark Schi

The Federal Government's fertiliser support package has come under scrutiny as global urea prices continue to fall. Grain Central reported concerns that while the intervention was designed to protect growers during a period of supply uncertainty, suppliers outside the scheme are now carrying significant losses and questions are being raised about competition in the fertiliser market. Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Mark Schilling said the current arrangemen

Pulse growers are weighing up the practical implications of the APVMA's final paraquat and diquat decision ahead of harvest. Grain Central explored how the revised 14-day withholding period could change desiccation practices for lentils and other pulse crops, with growers expected to consider alternative chemistries and harvest management options while adapting to the new requirements over the next two seasons. Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Mark Schilling

The APVMA has released its long-awaited final decision on paraquat and diquat, confirming both products will remain available under revised label requirements and new safety restrictions. Stock Journal reported on the decision and the implications for grain growers and Australia's minimum and no-till farming systems. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said retaining access to the products was an important outcome for Au

Stronger mouse bait is now available to eligible grain growers following the approval of Grain Producers Australia's national emergency permit application. Farm Online reported on the permit, which provides access to 50g/kg zinc phosphide (ZP50) to help manage severe mouse activity across affected grain-growing regions under strict stewardship and reporting requirements. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the stron

Australian grain producers will retain access to paraquat and diquat following the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority's (APVMA) final review decision, delivering a positive outcome for the grains industry and a victory for science-based regulation and due process. Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has welcomed the outcome of the review, which confirms paraquat and diquat will remain available for use in Australian broadacre farming systems subject to revis