Questions about the level of grain grower levy funds held by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) have resurfaced, with its latest annual report revealing liquid reserves have increased to almost $815 million and total equity has reached $1 billion. In an article published by The Weekly Times, Grain Producers Australia (GPA) Southern Region Director and RD&E Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann questioned whether the current levy model remained fit for purpose, par

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has raised serious questions about the scientific evidence used to justify new workplace exposure limits for grain dust, warning that the proposed changes could place unreasonable compliance demands on growers during harvest. In an article published by Flow News 24, GPA highlighted concerns that Safe Work Australia's assessment relied on a 2011 Dutch study drawing on North American research conducted more than 40 years ago, involving a broader

The Northern Territory Farmers Association (NT Farmers) has joined Grain Producers Australia (GPA) as a financial member, strengthening national representation for grain growers as cropping opportunities expand across northern Australia. In an article published by Grain Central, NT Farmers President Simon Smith and GPA Chair Matthew Madden highlighted the importance of ensuring Territory growers have a stronger voice in national decisions affecting biosecurity, workforce, res

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has escalated concerns about new grain dust workplace exposure limits to the Western Australian Premier, calling for an urgent delay to changes due to take effect during harvest. In an article published by Countryman, GPA Chair Matthew Madden outlined serious concerns about the scientific evidence underpinning the reduced limit, which is set to fall from 4.0mg/m³ to 1.5mg/m³ on 1 December 2026. The article details joint representations from GPA

The South Australian Government has delayed the introduction of new workplace exposure limits for grain dust, flour dust and methyl bromide until at least July 2028, following industry concerns about the practical implications for grain growers and the wider supply chain. In an article published by Grain Central, Grain Producers Australia (GPA) welcomed the decision, which follows earlier delays for phosphine in South Australia and similar regulatory changes in Victoria. The

The Western Australian Opposition has backed calls from grain industry representatives to delay new workplace exposure limits for grain dust, raising concerns about the practical ability of growers to comply with the changes during harvest. In an article published by WAMN News, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Lachlan Hunter questioned the State Government's decision to proceed with the reduced limits from 1 December 2026, despite requests for a delay from industry or

A program established with the support of Grain Producers Australia (GPA) to connect Australian Defence Force veterans with grain harvest jobs is preparing to expand, creating new pathways into agricultural careers and helping address ongoing workforce shortages. In an article published by Grain Central, Operation Grain Harvest Assist (OGHA) founder Lieutenant Colonel Garry Spencer AM outlined plans to develop the initiative into Veterans Supporting Agriculture, extending tra

A push to hold public hearings as part of a Senate inquiry into the continued use and regulation of paraquat has been defeated, following strong opposition from Australia's grains industry to revisiting the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority's (APVMA) recent regulatory decision. In an article published by Grain Central, the Senate voted 26 to 15 against a motion by independent Senator David Pocock to require public hearings, after the inquiry committee h

Grain growers in Western Australia's Mid West are reporting substantial crop damage and rising baiting costs following persistent mouse activity throughout the 2026 growing season, with some producers estimating crop losses of up to 50 per cent. In an article published by Countryman, Mingenew grower Andrew Cosgrove detailed the financial and production impacts of the outbreak, including more than 2000 hectares requiring reseeding or fallowing and approximately $200,000 spent

A program connecting former Australian Defence Force personnel with grain growers facing harvest workforce shortages is preparing to expand into other agricultural industries, creating new employment opportunities for veterans and helping address ongoing labour challenges. In an interview with FlowFM, Operation Grain Harvest Assist (OGHA) founder Lieutenant Colonel Garry Spencer AM reflected on the program's beginnings during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a partnership with Gra

The Western Australian Government's decision to delay the introduction of tougher workplace exposure limits for phosphine by three years has been welcomed by Grain Producers Australia (GPA), providing growers and the grain supply chain with additional time to address practical compliance concerns. In an article published by Grain Central, GPA Chair Matthew Madden welcomed the announcement, which follows similar decisions in Victoria and South Australia, and called on remainin

The Western Australian Government has announced a three-year delay to new workplace exposure limits for phosphine, while confirming reduced grain dust limits will still take effect from 1 December 2026. In an article published by Countryman, Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk confirmed the phosphine changes would be postponed until December 2029 following industry concerns about the practical implications for grain storage, pest management and export trade. The decis

The increasing use of artificial intelligence in Australian agriculture is raising questions about how growers' commercially sensitive farm data is collected, shared and potentially used by others in the supply chain. In an article published by Farm Online, Grain Producers Australia (GPA) Chair Matthew Madden joined Pairtree CEO Hamish Munro and CSIRO in highlighting the risks of sharing detailed farm business information with AI platforms without understanding how that data

Former Australian Defence Force personnel are putting their military training and experience to work on Australian grain farms, helping growers meet seasonal workforce demands while finding new opportunities in agriculture. In an article published by Stock Journal, retired Navy Commander Garry Kennedy and Lieutenant Colonel Garry Spencer share their experiences working in grain production and helping other veterans transition into agricultural roles. The article highlights th

The Western Australian Government has acknowledged concerns about the ability of existing monitoring equipment to accurately measure phosphine exposure under new workplace limits due to take effect on 1 December 2026. In an article published by Countryman, Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk confirmed WorkSafe was investigating technical limitations with monitoring devices, including the potential for false alarms and disruptions to grain handling operations. Grain Pr

The South Australian Government's decision to delay new workplace exposure limits for phosphine until July 2028 has been welcomed by Grain Producers Australia (GPA), following industry concerns about the potential impacts on grain storage, biosecurity and trade. In an article published by Grain Central, GPA Chair Matthew Madden welcomed the decision, highlighting the importance of phosphine in protecting stored grain from insect pests and maintaining Australia's access to exp

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

The growing threat of Australian plague locusts across South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria has prompted Grain Producers Australia (GPA) to call for increased vigilance and coordinated monitoring as growers head into a critical period for winter crops. In an article published by Rural Business Magazine, GPA Chair Matthew Madden, Deputy Chair Mark Schilling and Southern Region Director Andrew Weidemann outlined the risks facing grain-producing regions following favour

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 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