Australian cricketing great Brad Hogg will be at the Dowerin Machinery Field Days this week, taking Grain Producers Australia’s (GPA) Farmer Mates Mental Health Initiative to growers across the Western Australian Wheatbelt. Mr Hogg, the initiative’s National Ambassador, will be joined on 26 August by GPA Western Region Director and WA grain producer Barry Large, catching up with growers, families and others from across the supply chain and encouraging people to check in with

This National Biosecurity Week, Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is reminding Australians that protecting the nation’s $26 billion grains industry starts with simple decisions, including staying out of picturesque canola crops flowering across the country. National Biosecurity Week, held from 24 to 30 August, highlights the role everyone plays in preventing, preparing for and responding to biosecurity threats. GPA Chair and Moree grain producer Matthew Madden said biosecurity

Grain growers across South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria are being urged to keep watch for Australian plague locusts as conditions point to an increased risk this spring. Grain Central reported on GPA's warning, with hatching expected to begin in parts of south-eastern Australia from mid-September and the potential for damaging numbers to coincide with critical stages of winter crop development. GPA Chair and New South Wales grain producer Matthew Madden said the de

With harvest less than a month away in parts of Queensland, concerns are growing that delays in processing working holiday visas could leave grain growers and contractors short of skilled workers. Farm Online reported on the industry's reliance on international workers to operate machinery and support harvest logistics, with some contracting businesses sourcing up to half their workforce from working holiday visa holders. Grain Producers Australia Chair and New South Wales gr

Attention is turning to how growers will manage the transition to new paraquat use conditions following the APVMA's final decision in June. The Weekly Times reported on the two-year period allowing existing stocks to be used under current labels, and the work now needed on withholding periods, extension and alternative chemistry before the new requirements fully take effect. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said GPA w

Victoria’s decision to delay new workplace exposure limits for phosphine has increased calls for a nationally consistent approach. Farm Online reported the proposed limit would fall from 0.3 parts per million to 0.05ppm, with Victoria now delaying implementation until December 2029 while further work is undertaken. Grain Producers Australia Chair Matthew Madden welcomed the decision and urged other jurisdictions to follow Victoria’s lead. “GPA is deeply committed to safe work

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is deeply concerned by the Federal Government’s confirmation that it is slowing the processing of working holiday visa applications. In the months leading up to harvest, GPA is alarmed by policy settings that undermine working holidaymakers as part of the seasonal workforce mix that risks undermining critical harvest capacity. As reported over the weekend, the Federal Government had paused applications for working holiday visas from 24 countr

Grain Producers Australia is focused on strengthening collaboration across grain industry representation and delivering a united voice on the issues that matter to growers. Grain Central spoke with newly elected GPA Chair and Moree grower Matthew Madden about working more closely with GrainGrowers, GPA’s ongoing national advocacy and the organisation’s unique responsibilities in areas including biosecurity, chemical access and emergency response. “GPA wants what every grower

Growers experiencing significant mouse pressure can now submit paddock-level evidence to have their agroecological zone’s (AEZ) mouse activity rating reviewed as part of the process that determines access to ZP50 mouse bait. The rapid in-paddock assessment pathway will ensure evolving mouse activity is found quickly and if moderate or above levels are confirmed, ZP50 use will be permitted under the emergency permit held by Grain Producers Australia. Development of this report

Australia’s crop protection toolkit is shrinking, with growers warning that restrictions and reviews are moving faster than replacement products are reaching the market. The Weekly Times reported 11 agricultural chemicals or chemical groups have been restricted, suspended, cancelled, phased out or placed under review in the past year, while only three new products are clearly in the approval pipeline. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson

Victoria’s move to delay tougher workplace exposure limits for phosphine until December 2029 has been welcomed by the grains industry. Grain Central reported the extension will provide more time to address concerns around monitoring capability, implementation and the potential impact of the proposed limits on grain storage, biosecurity and trade. Grain Producers Australia Chair and New South Wales grower Matthew Madden said the proposed change had caused significant concern g

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

Two new broad-spectrum knockdown herbicides could give Australian grain growers more options to manage weeds and herbicide resistance. The Weekly Times reported Bayer and Nufarm are progressing separate products through the regulatory pipeline, with both potentially available to growers by 2028 if approved. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said new chemistry was particularly important following changes to paraquat use

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