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

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

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

Australia's independent chemical regulator has confirmed paraquat and diquat will remain available for use, with revised label requirements and application rates following the conclusion of its long-running review. Countryman covered the decision and the significance of the outcome for Australia's grain industry. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the decision recognised the importance of minimum and no-till farmin

The APVMA has handed down its long-awaited final decision on paraquat and diquat, confirming both herbicides will remain available for use in Australian farming systems under revised label requirements and use conditions. Grain Central reported on the decision and Grain Producers Australia's response to the outcome. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann welcomed the decision, saying it provided important certainty for grai

The APVMA has finalised its review of paraquat and diquat, confirming both herbicides will remain available for use in Australian farming systems under new application and safety requirements. The Weekly Times reported on the decision and its significance for grain growers and conservation farming practices. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann described the outcome as a positive result for Australian agriculture, recogni

The objectives of GPA are to establish a strong independent national advocate for grain producers based on a rigorous and transparent policy development process; engage all sectors of the Australian grains industry to ensure operation of the most efficient and profitable grain supply chain; and facilitate a strategic approach to Research, Development and Extension (RDE) intended to deliver sound commercial outcomes from industry research. The terms of three current directors

There are early signs the fight against Western Australia's mouse plague is starting to turn. Countryman reported on improving conditions in parts of the Mid West following the introduction of ZP-50 bait and recent rainfall, while warning that significant damage and ongoing rebaiting are still being reported across some farming districts. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann reminded growers to check the latest mouse acti

Some Western Australian grain growers are no longer eligible to purchase or use ZP50 following a decline in mouse activity. Farm Weekly reported on the latest monitoring results and the importance of growers continuing to check their agro-ecological zone classification throughout the emergency permit period. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said growers needed to remain aware that eligibility could change as condition

Changes to mouse activity ratings have seen three Western Australian agroecological zones downgraded to low activity, making growers in those areas ineligible to purchase or use ZP-50 under the emergency permit. Countryman reported on the latest classifications and the importance of checking eligibility as conditions continue to change. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said eligibility could change throughout the perm

Three Western Australian agroecological zones (AEZ) are no longer eligible for access to ZP50 under the current emergency permit after a decline in mouse activity levels identified through the national mouse monitoring network. The latest monitoring results have also seen one South Australian AEZ move from a high to moderate mouse activity, which still allows for ZP50 purchase and use in this area. Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is reminding growers that eligibility to

The Weekly Times has reported on a near three-fold increase in mandatory federal security check fees for truck drivers accessing Australian ports. The increase follows the Federal Government's decision to introduce full cost recovery for the AusCheck program from 1 July, with industry warning the added costs will ultimately flow through the supply chain to grain growers. Grain Producers Australia Director Andrew Weidemann said the increase was another cost burden for growers.

The APVMA's long-running review of paraquat is nearing its conclusion. Farm Weekly examined the debate ahead of the regulator's final decision, including Grain Producers Australia's view that the outcome should be based on Australian science, Australian farming systems and the safe use of the herbicide. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said grower safety remained the priority. "We obviously have farmer safety first an

Farm Weekly reported on the Grains Research and Development Corporation's new $115 million Nitrogen Mission. It is hailed as a long-term investment to improve nitrogen use efficiency and help address one of the biggest cost pressures facing grain growers. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the investment reflected the importance of tackling rising fertiliser costs and supply challenges. "This is R&D 101, rising cos

Grain Producers Australia acknowledges community discussion regarding paraquat and concerns that have been raised about potential links between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease. The health and safety of grain producers, agricultural workers and regional communities is critically important to the Australian grains industry. Grain Producers Australia supports decisions on agricultural chemical use being based on rigorous scientific assessment and Australia's establishe

By Grain Producers Australia Western Region Director Duncan Young One of the realities of modern agriculture is that the risks, expectations and responsibilities placed on growers are constantly evolving. That is particularly true across the grains industry, where producers are not only managing seasonal variability and global market pressures, but are also operating in an environment increasingly shaped by biosecurity risks, changing sustainability expectations, technology t