Grain Producers Australia says it will continue efforts to review grower levies paid to the Grains Research and Development Corporation, despite the Federal Agriculture Minister declining its initial proposal. ABC WA Country Hour reported that the Minister has called for both representative organisations to work together and build a stronger business case, supported by broader grower consultation. GPA Chair Barry Large told Belinda Varischetti that while the outcome was disap

A grower survey has been put forward as the basis for a proposal to review levy settings applied to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), as reserves approach $1 billion. Speaking on 3CS radio, Andrew Weidemann said Grain Producers Australia (GPA) submitted findings from an independent survey of growers to the Federal Agriculture Minister to test appetite for change. “There was a 76% majority that wanted to see a change in the current levy rate because we ar

Rejection of Grain Producers Australia's (GPA) push to have the research, development and extension levy reduced has been announced by Federal Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins. GPA ran a poll of levy-paying grain producers in late 2025 which showed support for the move, however the Minister has asked for a joint business case from the two grains industry representative organisations GPA and GrainGrowers. The Land reported that GPA Chair Barry Large said the value-propos

Grain Producers Australia will continue advocating for a contemporary grains levy following advice from the Federal Minister for Agriculture regarding the organisation’s proposal to adjust levy settings. The Minister’s response follows recent Senate Estimates questioning HERE , where the progress of GPA’s levy review and the broader issue of grains levy settings were raised at a national level. GPA Chair Barry Large said while the Minister had advised she was not in a posit

Grain Producers Australia is calling for changes to assessment criteria that guides decisions of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to consider environmental and financial impacts. Countryman reported that these calls were being made as growers had faced losing key chemistries such as paraquat, diquat and glyphosate in recent years, without regulations allowing for considerations of impacts on the broader system. GPA Research, Development and

More widespread feedback is required for any levy change proposal to be successful according to Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins. News of the rejection of Grain Producers Australia's proposal following a poll of levy-paying producers in late 2025 was announced after the issue was raised in Senate Estimates. Grain Central reported on the outcome and spoke to GPA Southern Region Director and RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann. He indicated GPA would take on the Minist

Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins has reinforced the need for a business case from both grains representative organisations to support a call for reducing the grains levy. This confirmation comes after Grain Producers Australia conducted a poll of levy-paying grain producers in late 2025 which showed a majority of producers would like to see a reduction in the research, development and extension component of the compulsory levies. The Weekly Times reported on the Minist

Grain Producers Australia’s levy review is continuing as per the prescribed processes, with the results of a professional and independent survey of grain producers now with the Federal Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins for response. This follows significant consultation reaching more than 7 million people in key grain producing regions in late 2025, inviting Australian grain producers to have their say on the grain levy’s future rates. The national survey of grain...

Debate around the grains levy system has sharpened this week following confirmation the Federal Agriculture Minister has rejected a proposal to adjust the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) levy. The issue was raised during Senate Estimates, where Slade Brockman questioned whether growing GRDC reserves, confirmed at more than $728 million and expected to rise further, should trigger a reconsideration of levy settings paid by growers. Under the current system,

Reviews of chemicals by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) need to consider the wider environmental and financial implications of its decisions according to Grain Producers Australia (GPA). Country News reported that there are concerns from GPA that decisions that remove key chemical from producer toolboxes that could have flow on effects. GPA Southern Region Director and Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said

As we move into 2026, the picture across the grains industry is mixed, and that’s probably the best word to describe farming in Australia at any time. In many regions, growers have just wrapped up harvest and can look back with a real sense of pride. Across Western Australia in particular, growers have delivered what is shaping up as the best harvest on record for the state. That’s an outstanding result and a credit to the skill, investment and persistence of WA farm business

Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Mark Schilling has been celebrated among South Australia’s grain industry at the SA Grain Industry Awards 2026. The Yorke Peninsula grower was recognised with the Innovation Award alongside an impressive cohort of award winners and nominees from across the state at the event hosted by Grain Producers SA (GPSA). GPA Chair Barry Large congratulated Mr Schilling on the accolade as a part of GPSA’s initiative that is celebratin

Grain producer budgets are being examined as low grain prices are prompting growers to hold onto their last season's grain. Farm Online reported that growers were looking for savings as the cost of production continues to increase and fertiliser is the first on the list according to experts. Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Andrew Weidemann said this was a major concern and one GPA continued to prioritise in its advocacy efforts. "We're seeing prices for inp

Lentil prices hitting low prices not seen for years is not expected to prompt a change of plans for grower plantings in 2026. The crop has largely experienced high prices for the past 5-10 years, which has resulted in large planting increases both in Australia and overseas. Queensland Country Life reported that the price drop, attributed to increasingly larger crop sizes globally, has many growers holding onto their lentils to sell at a hopefully higher price. Grain Producers

By GPA Research Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann. Environmental consequences and financial implications need to be a part of what is considered when Australia’s chemical regulator reviews chemistries. For many grain producers, the reviews of key chemicals such as paraquat, diquat HERE and glyphosate have been the cause of much frustration and angst in recent years with our very logical arguments holding no weight in the conversation. However, the han

Australian growers have met maximum residue limits (MRLs) in 2024-25 at a rate of 99.6 per cent. This strong result, as reported by Grain Central, to the National Residue Survey (NRS) program is informed by sampling across bulk export terminals, container export packers, oilseed crushers, feedmills, flour mills, feedlots, and food processors and is funded by grower levies GPA RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said as a part of GPA’s representative role in oversight of the N

Market access requirements for maximum residue limits of chemicals have been met with flying colours as Australian grain producers show 99.6 per cent compliance. As reported by 2WEB radio in an interview with Grain Producers Australia Research Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann, this result is critical to maintaining market access and is a testamemt to good practices employed by producers. "The National Residue Survey is something that's funded by growers

Grower commitment to meeting maximum residue limit requirements has been reinforced following solid results in the 2024-25 National Residue Survey. Compliance was measured at 99.6 per cent, supporting the mechanism for grain exporters to retain market access requirements internationally. The program is funded by grower levies and involves samples being taken at export terminals, container packing sites, oilseed crushers, feedmills, flour mills, feedlots and food processors. G

The recent khapra beetle response was a strong reminder of how effective Australia’s biosecurity system is when government, industry and the community work together. Grain Producers Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry are sharing the above message to thank everyone involved for their professionalism, cooperation and commitment during the response. From frontline biosecurity officers to those who shared information through their networks, each c