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 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

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 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 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

A Senate inquiry into the APVMA’s paraquat decision has raised concerns about the regulator’s independence, GPA RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann told ABC SA Country Hour. Speaking with Selina Green, Mr Weidemann said stakeholders had already had the opportunity to submit scientific evidence during the regulatory review. “This is really just going back over old ground,” he said. He questioned the implications for future chemical decisions if Parliament sought to override tha

GPA RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann has questioned the Coalition’s support for a Senate inquiry into the APVMA’s paraquat decision, telling Country Today’s Libby Price that stakeholders had already had the opportunity to present evidence during the regulator’s review. “I think they need to really be quite clear about what their objectives are in this process,” Mr Weidemann said. The Wimmera grower warned of wider implications if other chemical decisions were also revisited

Grain Producers Australia has called for the Senate paraquat inquiry to identify what evidence or regulatory failing warrants revisiting the APVMA’s completed review, Grain Central reported. GPA RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann warned that political pressure on chemical decisions could have implications across agriculture, despite growers disagreeing with some new restrictions. “We cannot support the integrity and independence of that system only when it delivers the outcom

Farm Online reported grower frustration over the Senate’s decision to revisit paraquat regulation, with WAFarmers questioning political involvement and GPA defending the APVMA’s independent assessment. Andrew Weidemann, Grain Producers Australia’s RD&E spokesperson, acknowledged that new restrictions would create practical challenges but said the industry respected the regulator’s scientific process. “We cannot support the integrity and independence of that system only when i

Western Australia should follow Victoria’s three-year deferral of tighter phosphine exposure limits, GPA Chair Matthew Madden told Countryman, describing the decision as a “sensible response”. The report outlined concerns that changes scheduled for 1 December could disrupt fumigation and grain exports during harvest, with CBH also seeking more time. Grain Producers Australia is working with Grain Trade Australia and other organisations on a practical, measurable and nationall

Grain Central reported growing pressure on the Federal Government to prioritise seasonal worker visas, with GPA raising harvest workforce needs directly with Agriculture Minister Julie Collins. Chair Matthew Madden and CEO Duncan Bremner discussed timely Working Holiday Maker visa processing alongside biosecurity, fertiliser supply and phosphine exposure limits. “We had a very productive and positive meeting with the Minister and her staff,” Mr Bremner said. The National Farm

Grain Producers Australia has today announced the appointment of Kristy McSweeney to its Board. This appointment is part of an ongoing renewal process for Australia’s peak grains industry advocacy organisation that has recently appointed Northern Region Director and Moree grain grower Matthew Madden as Chair. Mr Madden said Ms McSweeney would be an asset to the Board as it embarks on a new era of representing grain growers across Australia in a time of changing agricultural

Australia’s heavy reliance on imported fertiliser is back in focus as suppliers move early to secure phosphate for next season. The Weekly Times reported that retailers are looking beyond traditional sources after China suspended phosphate exports, while growers remain exposed to high prices and global supply disruptions. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said this year had shown how quickly international events could

Countryman has highlighted growing concern across WA agriculture about changes to visa processing priorities as harvest and other peak seasonal work approaches. The article points to the grains sector’s heavy reliance on working holiday-makers, with growers warning that fewer available workers could add further pressure to farm businesses already dealing with high input costs and seasonal risk. Grain Producers Australia Chair Matthew Madden said many growers depend on working

Sheep Central has highlighted the growing risk of Australian plague locust activity across South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria as spring approaches. The article outlines the potential for hatching from mid-September, the importance of early surveillance and reporting, and the need for coordinated monitoring across farming regions. Grain Producers Australia Chair Matthew Madden said the developing risk needed a coordinated response. “Locusts do not respect farm or st

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