THE WEEKLY TIMES | Grain farm numbers fall but industry finds efficiency

The number of grain farms has decreased in the past two years, but production numbers continue to climb according to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) 2024-25 Annual Report.

The Weekly Times reported that grain farm numbers had declined by 3000 over the past two years.

Grain Producers Australia Chief Executive Colin Bettles said this figure was at about 52,000 when the grain levy system was introduced in 1988-90 and the national grain crop was valued at $3.4bn at this time.

He said now, this figure was at $26.6bn and this was a tenfold increase in production value compared to 1990-91.

The Weekly Times reported that this could be linked to a trend where farmers are consolidating farms and bringing in corporate investors.

This includes recent investment by Gina Reinhart, Lawson Grains' and reports that the US Mormon Church has spent millions on land in New South Wales and Queensland.

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