rain producers in Western Australia are dealing with mouse numbers well into plague levels, with activity also building across parts of South Australia. Reporting from The Guardian highlights densities of up to 3,000–4,000 burrows per hectare in parts of WA, far exceeding the 800 mice per hectare threshold considered a plague. Grain Producers Australia RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the scale and spread of activity is creating significant pressure heading into seedin

A fire at the Viva Energy Geelong Refinery has raised fresh concerns about Australia’s fuel system, as grain producers move into a critical phase of the season. Farm Online reported that the refinery, one of only two in Australia alongside the Ampol Lytton Oil Refinery, is operating at reduced capacity following the incident, with petrol production impacted and diesel continuing at lower levels. Grain Producers Australia RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the incident hi

A fire at the Viva Energy Geelong Refinery is expected to weigh on Australia’s fuel supply at a time of heightened global pressure. The Bloomberg report highlights the incident as a setback for efforts to manage fuel availability, with reduced refinery output adding to existing supply constraints. Grain Producers Australia RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the fire reinforces broader concerns about the reliability of fuel supply into Australia. “This incident comes at a

The fire at the Viva Energy Australia refinery in Geelong has reinforced Grain Producers Australia’s concerns about the resilience of Australia’s fuel system, coming at a time when global tensions are already placing pressure on key agricultural inputs. The incident highlights how quickly domestic disruptions can expose broader structural risks, particularly for industries such as agriculture that rely on consistent access to fuel and fertiliser. Grain Producers Australia Res

A fire at the Viva Energy Geelong Refinery has again put a spotlight on Australia’s fuel security, as grain producers head into seeding. The refinery, one of only two in the country alongside the Ampol Lytton Oil Refinery, experienced explosions and a major blaze late Wednesday, likely caused by equipment failure. Queensland Country Life reported that petrol production is expected to be impacted in the short term, although supply gaps are expected to be covered by imports. GP

Grain industry representative group Grain Producers Australia is welcoming a new chief executive officer in Duncan Bremner to the stable later this month. Countryman reported that the appointment of the former Cattle Council chief follows GPA's previous chief executive Colin Bettles leaving the role in late 2025.

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is pleased to announce Duncan Bremner as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 27 April 2026. GPA Chair Barry Large welcomed the appointment and said Mr Bremner brings significant experience in the agricultural sector and leadership qualities that would complement GPA’s work on behalf of grain producers. “Duncan is a great addition to GPA and we look forward to reinforcing our passionate and proactive advocacy work and representation under

Farm leaders have welcomed a new Federal Government fuel underwriting program aimed at boosting supply and directing diesel to regions under pressure, as global disruptions continue to tighten availability. Stock & Land reported that the plan allows refiners to purchase fuel with reduced commercial risk, with government able to prioritise where supply is sent, including regional Australia. Grain Producers Australia Chair Barry Large said the move comes at a critical time for

Rising mouse activity across Western Australia, South Australia and parts of Victoria is putting growers on alert ahead of seeding, with conditions supporting rapid population growth. Farm Online reported that CSIRO monitoring has highlighted high numbers in WA, with emerging pressure in southern regions, reinforcing the need for early action before crops are sown. Grain Producers Australia RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said on-farm monitoring is critical at this stage.

Rising mouse activity across key cropping regions is adding another layer of pressure for grain growers heading into seeding, with reports of infestations stretching from Western Australia through to South Australia and parts of Queensland. Perth Now reported that CSIRO monitoring has highlighted increasing risk in several regions, while growers on the ground are already seeing significant activity in paddocks, sheds and homes. Grain Producers Australia RD&E spokesperson Andr

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to delay the transition to full cost recovery of export regulatory services, as grain producers head into a critical planting window. The Government has confirmed the move to full cost recovery will be deferred by 12 months to 1 July 2027, with existing pricing largely maintained in the interim and supported by additional government funding. GPA Deputy Chair Matthew Madden said the decision reflect

Recent reports from Western Australia of increasing mouse activity, as outlined in the CSIRO mouse updates , prompted Grain Producers Australia (GPA) to share the following column in rural media around the country earlier this month. Since its release, we’ve spoken with CSIRO Research Officer Steve Henry, who has just returned from WA where he was ground truthing the reports and holding grower education sessions about mouse management. Steve's observations confirming reports

Reports of increasing mouse activity across parts of Western Australia are raising concern as growers head into seeding, with early signs emerging in paddocks around Geraldton and Ravensthorpe. Grain Producers Australia Research Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann told Farm Weekly that it is too early to determine how widespread the issue may become, but the level of activity highlights the importance of early monitoring, particularly in the lead up to sow

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is warning fuel and fertiliser pressures are already shaping seeding decisions and measures by the Federal Government to address the situation need to stack up with real-world impact. The warning comes as the Federal Government has put in place a Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator and a food supply chain assessment in recent days. This is in addition to running an Australian fuel crisis scenario last year which revealed an extremely vulnerable s

Australia’s trade deal with the EU is expected to deliver some benefits for the grains sector, but gains are likely to be limited, with access constraints and the nature of the EU market tempering expectations. Grain Producers Australia Chair Barry Large spoke to Grain Central and said while tariff reductions are positive, they do not materially shift export opportunities. “But when it comes to grains, the EU is not a consistent market for Australian growers,” he said. “It te

Grain growers in Western Australia are reassessing seeding plans as fuel stations run dry and fertiliser supply tightens, with global disruptions linked to Middle East conflict hitting at a critical time. Countryman reported that the Federal Government has moved to establish a fuel supply taskforce and launch a national supply chain assessment, as concerns grow around Australia’s exposure to fuel and input shortages. Grain Producers Australia Chair Barry Large said while the

Rising fuel prices and tightening fertiliser supply linked to Middle East conflict are hitting grain growers as sowing gets underway across southern Australia. Landline reported that with the Middle East region producing around 45 per cent of global urea exports, supply disruptions are adding pressure at a critical time. Grain Producers Australia is calling on the Federal Government to step in, including prioritising tax incentives to boost on-farm fuel storage and support gr

The Grain Producers Australia Board and staff undertook Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) training in February 2026, delivered by Plant Health Australia. The session was scheduled following discussions between GPA and PHA to improve understanding of the EPPRD and ensure the organisation is prepared to meet its responsibilities as a signatory. The training focused on how a response to an exotic plant pest is managed nationally, including the roles of industry and gove

The Federal Agriculture Minister has warned fertiliser supplies could come under pressure by late May if global disruptions continue, with uncertainty around urea availability already weighing on growers. Australia relies heavily on imports from the Middle East, leaving supply chains exposed as conflict impacts production and trade flows, with prices already climbing sharply ahead of sowing. Grain Producers Australia Chair Barry Large spoke to Farm Online and said the situati

With the current uncertainty in relation to the war in Iran, GPA wanted to highlight potential contract clauses that may come into play for our members. In particular, a ‘Force Majeure’ refers to a specific clause in a contract which accounts for unforeseen events. The term ‘Force Majeure’ is French for ‘major force’ and speaks to an event beyond any person’s control that can hinder the performance of a contract. The intent of such a clause is to protect contracting p