There were positives for agriculture in the 2026–27 Federal Budget, but important questions also remained. Grain Central canvassed the response from peak industry bodies, including Grain Producers Australia, on measures affecting biosecurity, agricultural chemicals, regional infrastructure and research. GPA Chair Barry Large welcomed additional investment for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, saying it would help improve the performance of Australi

For communities across Western Australia's Mid West, the mouse plague has become more than an agricultural issue. Geraldton Guardian spoke with growers, local leaders and industry representatives about the growing impact on homes, businesses and cropping operations. Among those interviewed was Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann, who said the current conditions highlighted the need for more effective control tools. He no

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) expects an outcome later this week as work continues on an emergency permit for ZP50 mousebait access. GPA is in regular contact with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to meet requirements for the permit, with the support of the CSIRO and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). GPA Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said significant work had been undertaken across industr

Emergency approval of higher-strength zinc phosphide bait was the focus of Farm Weekly as growers across affected grain-growing regions looked for more effective ways to manage escalating mouse numbers and minimise crop losses during seeding. Among those speaking to the publication was Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann. He said the 50 g/kg zinc phosphate mouse bait formulation would improve control because "mice need t

Growers are weighing up the prospect of re-seeding crops damaged by mice as the potential approval of higher-strength zinc phosphide bait is expected soon according to Farm Weekly's coverage of the escalating outbreak. GPA Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the industry had consistently argued that stronger bait was needed under plague conditions. He explained that "mice need to consume less of the baited grains to ensure a lethal dose, whi

Grain Producers Australia (GPA)is continuing discussions with GrainGrowers following the Federal Agriculture Minister’s response to GPA’s levy proposal, including consideration of the scope, cost and structure of a future national grower consultation process. GPA Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said discussions had focused on both the practical and legislative issues surrounding any future levy payer voting process. “Once we had the confirmat

With mouse pressure continuing to build across parts of Australia's grainbelt, The Weekly Times reported on the industry's push for access to a higher-strength zinc phosphide bait ahead of critical crop establishment. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann, who said the 50 g/kg formulation was better suited to plague conditions because "mice need to consume less of the baited grains to ensure a lethal dose, which is particu

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is continuing to work closely with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) as final assessment processes are underway for GPA’s emergency permit application for access to 50g/kg zinc phosphide (ZP50) mouse bait. The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and CSIRO have also been involved throughout the process to support the assessment and consideration of the application. The application was submitted

The impacts of the mouse plague are extending well beyond the farm gate, with an ABC News report examining the effect of widespread infestations on the health, wellbeing and daily lives of people living in affected grain-growing communities. Speaking to ABC News, Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said growers had created "the perfect habitat to grow crops, but we've also created the perfect habitat to grow rodents." H

Australian grain growers are increasingly interested in autonomous farm machinery, but adoption continues to be held back by practical challenges including cost, connectivity and confidence in the technology. This is according to a Grain Central report featuring Grain Producers Australia, Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia and the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia's joint work in the autonomous farm machinery space. "We're seeing genuine interest from gro

As mouse activity continues to escalate across Western Australia's Mid West, Midwest Times has examined how local communities are responding, alongside industry calls for more effective control tools to reduce crop losses. Grain Producers Australia Research, Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said access to 50 g/kg zinc phosphide bait would make a significant difference in plague conditions. "ZP50 requires mice to consume less of the baited grains to ensu

Autonomous machinery use is increasing in agriculture, but cost and connectivity issues are limiting uptake and risking the future abilities of the Australian grains industry to keep pace globally. These are findings from the second year of research led by Grain Producers Australia (GPA), the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia (TMA) and the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia (SPAA), tracking how autonomous technologies are being used and adopted on-farm o