Grain Producers Australia (GPA) today welcomed the Northern Territory Farmers Association (NT Farmers) as a member, strengthening national representation for Territory growers on the issues that will decide how far and how fast the northern grain industry can grow. Northern grain is expanding quickly as corporate and some of Australia's largest family grain operations invest in the Territory, the NT Government is committed to new cropping area expansion and signals from north

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has identified massive concerns with the use of a single Dutch study in the evaluation process the Federal Government have used to justify a huge drop in safe work exposure limits for grain dust. The study used data that is over 40 years old on the wrong grain types, to set new regulations that could make grain production almost impossible. GPA have reviewed the outdated evidence used by SafeWork Australia (SWA) to evaluate the current grain du

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) warmly welcomes the South Australian Government announcement today to delay workplace changes to grain dust. The South Australian government has announced a delay of implementing a lower Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of grain dust for a period that includes at least the next two grain harvests. This practical announcement from the South Australian government, follows in the footsteps of Victoria and supports the grain sector in relation to new

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is helping grain growers prepare for upcoming workplace exposure limit changes with new website resources, after its survey revealed growers remain in the dark about what the changes mean for their businesses. GPA’s online resources have been urgently developed to assist grain growers nationwide, following survey results that showed 91% of growers are concerned about their ability to reasonably measure, monitor, and manage upcoming work exposur

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) warmly welcomes the Western Australian Government announcement today to delay workplace changes to phosphine fumigant use. Minister Simone McGurk has announced a delay of implementing a lower Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of the critical grain fumigant – phosphine for a period of three years. This practical announcement from the Western Australian state regulator, follows in the footsteps of South Australia and Victoria that supports the grain

Results from the recent Grain Producers Australia (GPA) survey show grain growers are deeply concerned and lack clarity about the upcoming safe work exposure limits changes for grain dust, that will commence during harvest. From 1 December 2026, the Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) for grain dust is being significantly decreased from an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) from 4.0 mg/m³ to 1.5 mg/m³. Almost 500 growers completed the nationwide online survey with the following r

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) warmly welcomes the South Australian Government announcement today to delay workplace changes to phosphine fumigant use by at least 18 months. Deputy Premier, Kyam Maher and SafeWork SA have announced a delay of implementing a lower Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of the critical grain fumigant – phosphine for a period that includes at least the next two grain harvests. This practical announcement from the South Australian state regulator, follo

A new pathway for growers to submit paddock-level evidence of mouse pressure featured in Rural Business Magazine, explaining how local observations can inform reviews of agroecological zone ratings used to determine ZP50 access. Grain Producers Australia Western Region Director Duncan Young said the GRDC-led process complemented the national monitoring network. “Mouse activity can change quickly and can be highly localised,” Mr Young said. “Growers should continue walking pad

GPA’s survey of grower awareness and preparedness featured in Grain Central’s coverage of tighter grain dust exposure limits and questions about their implementation on farms. The article highlighted gaps in growers’ understanding of how to measure and manage exposure, alongside differing state approaches to the changes. “Grain growers want to have effective communication from regulators about such changes, and we also want reasonable standards that we can actually comply wit

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) welcomes the Albanese Government’s priority pathway for urgent Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa cases, and is urging grain producers who need workers for harvest to use it straight away. Under the arrangement, urgent farm worker cases are put forward through state farming organisations and the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), with submissions made to the Department of Home Affairs by 3pm each working day. “This is a solution and we thank the

Grain Producers Australia Chair Matthew Madden has called for clearer communication and practical standards as growers prepare for tighter grain dust exposure limits, Stock & Land reported. Mr Madden said farm businesses lacked the dedicated technical staff available to large industrial operations. “Grain growers want to have effective communication from regulators about such changes, and we also want reasonable standards that we can actually comply with,” he said. VFF Grains

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is surveying grain growers ahead of upcoming safe work exposure limits changes for grain dust, that will commence during harvest. From 1 December 2026, the Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) for grain dust is being significantly decreased from an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) from 4.0 mg/m³ to 1.5 mg/m³. Through an online survey, GPA is seeking to better understand the impact of this to growers amid concern that they will find it difficult to

Former Australian Defence Force personnel are helping growers fill harvest jobs through Operation Grain Harvest Assist as visa delays complicate staffing plans, Grain Central reported. GPA Chair Matthew Madden said veterans brought mechanical skills, safety awareness and a willingness to work, with many returning for successive harvests. “This is a workforce solution that does not depend on a visa class,” Mr Madden said. Grain Producers Australia is seeking support to expand

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) and Operation Grain Harvest Assist (OGHA) are again placing former Australian Defence Force members into grain harvest jobs - and building a permanent pipeline of skilled Australian workers for agriculture. The partnership connects former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with grain producers, offering an Australian answer to the workforce shortages confronting growers as the 2026 harvest begins. With headers rolling in northern cr

Grain Producers Australia will monitor the impact of changes to the Wheat Port Code on growers, following the government’s decision to introduce a revised three-year code while industry develops a self-regulatory framework, Farm Online reported. Chair Matthew Madden said the previous code needed updating but raised concerns about weaker regulation. “Our priority is to make sure grain growers are treated with fairness and transparency by all players throughout the grains suppl

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) welcomes the announcement by the Federal Government today to prioritise migration for key sectors including agriculture, although it is cautious about the broader impact on the upcoming harvest. During his presentation to the National Press Club today in relation to the Government's overhaul of the migration system, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that he will update a ministerial direction to prioritise migrants who have skills Aust

Grain growers are being urged to review their biosecurity arrangements because a bird flu outbreak could disrupt truck movements and grain deliveries to poultry farms. Speaking with Narelle Graham on ABC Radio South Australia, GPA Chair Matthew Madden explained the connections between grain production, livestock industries and transport. “A written biosecurity plan is one of the most useful places to start,” Mr Madden said. He encouraged growers to use the Grains Farm Biosecu

By Grain Producers Australia Chair Matthew Madden The detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in wild seabirds in Australia has understandably placed the poultry industry on alert, but the implications extend much further across agriculture. While there have been no detections in Australian poultry production systems or the broader livestock industries, the presence of H5N1 in wild birds is a reminder of how closely connected our production systems are and why eve

Countryman reported opposition from grain industry organisations to a Senate inquiry into the APVMA’s paraquat decision, with GPA stressing the need to respect the regulator’s independence. RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the industry respected the APVMA’s authority despite disagreeing with parts of its June determination. “We cannot support the integrity and independence of that system only when it delivers the outcome we want,” he said. Mr Weidemann questioned what

Bird flu is drawing attention to biosecurity across Australian agriculture, but the risks grain producers manage extend beyond any one disease or sector. New Grain Producers Australia (GPA) Independent Director Kristy McSweeney discussed what bird flu could mean for grain growers, particularly those with dams, wetlands and mixed farming operations in an interview with News24. She also spoke about the continuing cost of mouse damage and the work underway to help growers manage