MARCH GRAIN GRABS

Welcome to GPA’s monthly newsletter, for March 2025. 

With most growers on the verge of starting their 2025 seeding program, keeping a close eye on weather conditions, and hopefully seeing some solid rain falling in the paddock to kick things off, another future opportunity is also scheduled to arrive, in the near future. 

Last week after the Federal Budget, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Saturday, 3 May 2025, would be the date for our next Federal Election. 

Understandably, everyone wants to know who will win – red, blue, green, teal or any other colour combinations. 

But just like predicting the weather, it’s becoming an increasingly hazardous exercise and risky business to try to forecast the mood of voters and election results. 

And political pollsters seem to be as well regarded as the BOM, for being able to predict the future these days. 

But, in all seriousness, the 2025 Federal Election will be another important one, for the Australian grains industry – and grain producers.

That’s why GPA is releasing an election policy roadmap, advocating the policy priorities for Australian grain producers. More details: HERE 

This builds on the core themes GPA has advocated for – for all Australian grain producers – in this term of government, and for the future. And results of our recent grower policy survey, and ongoing discussions at GPA Policy Council. 

GPA’s election policy roadmap highlights key grower priorities – not limited to stronger biosecurity protections, better market access, reduced farm input costs, optimal use of grains levies, improving supply chain efficiencies and maintaining access to important pesticides while improving the APVMA’s regulatory performance. 

This roadmap provides government with great opportunity to back Australian grain farmers, which boosts on-farm productivity and the shared benefits this growth delivers for our $32 billion industry (not just grain exporting and processing capacity), the national economy, our environment and rural communities.  

GPA is apolitical and works with all sides of government – and with minor parties and independent representatives – acting in the best interests of all Australian grain producers. 

GPA’s election policy roadmap provides all elected federal representatives – no matter which political colour they may wear – with great opportunity to back these grower policy priorities and support Australian grain farmers.

This is a fundamental pillar, to continue boosting and safeguarding our industry’s strong economic growth, and the shared benefits it delivers for our nation and rural communities. 

Barry Large GPA Chair