Grain Producer Magazine Summer 2024/2025 Edition

Summer 2024/25

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FROM THE EDITOR

ABOUT GPSA

This magazine is brought to you from the grassroots, with Grain Producers SA (GPSA) providing content and editorial.

If you are not aware of GPSA, we are the peak industry body for the 4,500 grain producers in South Australia and are funded by growers through a contribution under the Grain Industry Fund.

GPSA develops and implements policies and projects that enhance the productivity and profitability of South Australian grain growing businesses.

For South Australian grain producers, GPSA is your opportunity to influence the policies and issues that matter to you.

For more information, visit www.grainproducerssa.com.au

Contact: T: 1300 734 884

E: info@grainproducerssa.com.au

A: Level 13, 431 King William street Adelaide, 5000

Editorial, Design and Published by: Grain Producers SA

Printing: Terry Howe Printing

Online: www.grainproducerssa.com.au

Interested in Advertising?

Contact Rowan Thomas: rowan@grainproducerssa.com.au

Articles appearing in GRAIN PRODUCER do not necessarily represent the policies or views of Grain Producers SA. Products and services advertised in GRAIN PRODUCER are not necessarily endorsed by Grain Producers SA.

After one of the most challenging seasons for South Australian grain producers in recent memory – it’s time to look at what’s ahead of us.

The drought has tested everyone’s patience, resources, and in many cases, spirit. Yet, as I’ve travelled across the state, meeting with growers and community stakeholders, it’s hard not to be impressed by the way farmers help each other out during tough times. Often these communities are more than that – they are family.

In this issue, we reflect on the hurdles faced and explore the support available to growers – raising the age-old question: is it enough?

One standout feature examines how financial institutions are being asked to step up, show some understanding of South Australia’s unique situation and help our growers weather the storm.

We also dive into the proposed restrictions on paraquat, which have sparked widespread concern across our industry. At Grain Producers SA, we’re advocating fiercely against any proposed changes that will leave growers unable to adequately do their job, particularly without any viable alternatives available. At a time when demand for the South Australian grain industry’s product is increasing, decision makers are finding ways to make it harder to grow grain.

Turning our gaze overseas, we delve into the ripple effects of geopolitical changes, mainly the resurrection of incoming United States President Donald Trump and the impact of his policy approach on global agriculture.

On a lighter note, our grain community is full of surprises, as highlighted by the profile of a talented artist whose work is turning heads and putting a creative spin on the South Australian grain industry. And don’t miss the feature on the award-winning stage show based on farming life - ‘Kick Off Ya Boots’.

As you read through this edition, I hope you find stories that resonate, inform, and perhaps even provide a little hope. It’s been a tough slog this season, but together, we’ll continue to rise to the challenge.

Here’s to great reading and better seasons ahead.

Brad Perry GPSA Chief Executive Officer

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Quick Questions

Third generation Eyre Peninsula grain producer Leigh Fitzgerald loves life on the land with his family and with 2024 marking the 100th year of the Fitzgerald family farm, he’s already looking forward to what the next generation can bring to the industry.

Name: Leigh Fitzgerald

Farm location: Kimba

Grows: Wheat, Lentils, Peas

How long have you been a grain producer and how did you choose this as a career pathway?

For 26 years. I guess I was always going down this path. I was interested in all things farming from a very young age.

What’s the most rewarding part of being a grain

producer?

Personally, it is the whole aspect of growing something from a seed to maturity. It is a great way of life that you are constantly learning new things no matter how long you have been at it.

How do you unwind after a busy season?

I like to spend as much time with my young family as I can. We enjoy our

time away at the beach, fishing and relaxing.

What’s the one piece of equipment you couldn’t live without on your farm?

Probably the thing that costs the most money, the Boom spray.

If you weren’t farming, what would you be doing?

I have no idea. As farmers, we have

FAMILY AFFAIR: Clem, Flynn, Patrick, Samuel and Leigh Fitzgerald make up four generations of farming at Emu Rocks on the Eyre Peninsula.

many skills. Which one of these would be put to good use outside/away from farming, I am not sure.

What’s your pick for a header? Red, Green, Yellow or another colour?

We run all John Deere equipment (so green!).

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the grain industry today?

There are many. I think the debate around herbicide approvals and use of, will be a major issue moving forward. Without Glyphosate and Paraquat products, the industry will be in a far worse predicament for future generations to do what we do.

What is the most important piece of advice you’d give to a young grain producer starting out?

There are never any “dumb” questions. If you are thinking it, odds are, some-

one else is also. Ask questions as the more information we have available to us, the better decisions we can make.

What’s the worst task that needs to be done on your farm during harvest?

No one likes cleaning the headers down.

What song is currently on repeat on your playlist?

I normally listen to whatever playlist my wife or kids have setup. I enjoy most music, so there isn’t a repeat to speak of.

What’s your go-to lunch option during harvest?

Normally sandwiches or rolls of whatever I can find in the fridge. I have three boys, so you have to be quick or it’s gone!

What’s one item on your bucket list and if you don’t have one, what would be the

first item on it if you created it today?

To take six months or more off and travel the country with my family. We have such a repetitive schedule that has little flexibility, that a prolonged break would be good.

Where is your go-to travel destination after harvest?

We try to get to Smoky Bay on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula when we can.

Bunker Tarps

Tarp Rollers

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN?

The year 2024 will be remembered in the South Australian grain industry for all of the wrong reasons, with the lowest rainfall on record in many cropping regions. However, growers defied the odds to produce five million tonnes of grain in what can only be described as a silver lining. As one famous lyric said, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”.

If one was driving through South Australia’s cropping regions around the end of August, the general feeling was that there was still hope of solid rains to finish the season. Crops in many areas were hanging in there, desperate for a drink, while others had already failed to grow on record low rainfall. Meteorologists were still forecasting a wetter than average Spring and grain producers were making decisions based on those forecasts.

Eyre Peninsula grain producer Keenan Bury, who grows wheat and lentils, at Cocata said planning halfway through the season on what may eventuate was challenging.

His farm had 140 millimetres of growing season rain, when the normal yearly rainfall is about 300 millimetres – so less than half of what it usually receives.

“It was hard to start planning towards the next year and have any sort of idea what we were going to be able to salvage from this year,” he said.

“Between the lack of rain and frost throughout the region, we were running into harvest with our fingers crossed hoping for the best.”

Keenan said getting into the right mindset can be challenging in a drought year.

“We need to learn what we can off years like this and move forward with some positives, if possible,” he said.

“The hard part is to not get stuck in a negative mindset or tailor your farm practices too much around years like this.

“There seems to be a fine line between being prepared for years like this but also setting yourself up to take advantage of the better years when they come.

“It’s different for every business, region and even paddock. Missing out on opportunities in good years can hurt you just as much as years like these, within reason.”

The Mid North was one of the regions hardest hit by the lack of rainfall in 2024 and Jamestown grain producer Scott Clark, who grows beans, canola, lentils, wheat and barley, said his farm received about a quarter of the rainfall they receive in a normal year.

“We actually had some decent crops, depending on the soil type and previous ground cover,” Scott said.

GREY: After very little growing season rain, the heavens were about to open on the Sampsons at Mount Damper with five days of reaping left.

“This year was okay to cope with as far as drought goes. Input costs for next year are the concern and financing through next year’s crop.

“It’s also been very frustrating that it didn’t rain at all and now (during harvest) it won’t stop. I just wanted to finish harvest and forget about the year.”

For marginal areas of the Eyre Peninsula only receiving 100 millimetres of growing season rainfall wasn’t far off the previous year.

Ryan Dubois and his wife Tanya farm at Wudinna, this season planting wheat, barley, lentils and vetch for sheep feed.

“For comparison, in 2023 we had 135 millimetres of growing season rainfall and in 2022 we had 200 millimetres of growing season rainfall. Summer rainfall the last few years, especially this season, has been really crucial for crop establishment and growth” Ryan said.

“Our yields this year were actually similar to last season. We did drop off some heavy ground hectares, which helped keep the average up on wheat. This was due to such a dry start.”

The decision-making and planning process was particularly challenging this year for the Dubois family.

“Even though we put lambing back six weeks, we still didn’t get to lamb down on nice vetch stands and had to hand feed,” Ryan said.

“Spraying operations were tricky as all crops germinated at the same time.

“Grain marketing early in the season and even closer to harvest, was non-existent, as they just didn’t know what we would end up harvesting, if anything.”

The South-East is used to receiving plenty of rainfall but this year has been an exception.

Jonathan and Danielle England farm at Keilira, between Kingston and Lucindale, with a split cropping and livestock operation, planting barley, wheat and beans this season.

“We received 73 per cent long term average growing season rainfall. At the end May, we’d only received 19 per cent of month-to-date average, in other words we were 80 per cent down on rainfall at the end of May,” Danielle said.

“We have been happy with the way the season has turned out for us. Yields were below average, but we have achieved our minimum production targets.

“We saw the writing on the wall back in July and made some serious production decisions to ensure any late winter to spring rainfall could be used to maximise production. We de-stocked by 40 per cent and focused on replacing hay stocks and optimising grain yields for our 2,000 lambing ewes. These early decisions have allowed us to enter into Summer with good groundcover, hay stocks replenished and grain to feed stock. We sold our wheat as a standing crop for hay for good prices and a high yield.

“In July we gave-up on the 2024 season and put all our farm decisions into ensuring that our soils, livestock and people were fit to produce in 2025. I think we’ve achieved this.

“This season we have used all the weather forecasting, pasture growth rates, crop calculation tools to help us make decisions. It has been a season where you couldn’t rest or take your eye off the ball. This has meant that

most people are coming to the end of 2024 very tired.

“Farming is a long-term game, and most of our decisions have been to ensure our paddocks and livestock are set-up for 2025 season. We are focused forward.”

North of Goyder’s Line is Wirrabara in the Southern Flinders Ranges, home to grain producer Russell Zwar who said the drought impacted severely on his crop of wheat, beans, canola, lentils and barley. It was the driest year on his farm since the first World War in 1914.

“At my home farm, the average annual rainfall is about 550 millimetres. This year we had 180 millimetres to the end of October for the growing season,” Russell said.

“It’s been a very tough season in this area, one of the driest growing seasons on record. Then followed by a period of severe frosts in September, which did a lot of damage to crops. It’s the worst season many have seen in the surrounding area.

“The biggest challenge is the mental stress. In early September, I was really proud of the crops we had on such low rainfall. Years of dedicated zero-till and maintaining 100 per cent ground

cover was really showing its value. The frosts in September were a real kick in the guts and had a severe impact in our district.

“Then during harvest, it kept raining. It’s a year we won’t forget.” Russell Zwar, Mid-North

At World’s End in the Mid North, grain producer and psychologist Steph Schmidt summed up the 2024 season through brutal honesty by stating: “the reality of this season hurts”.

“We sowed over 10,000 acres. On half of that we’ll get slightly more than our seed back. On about 4000 acres we haven’t even got our seed back. A lot of it we haven’t even attempted to reap and have just used it straight for sheep feed,” she said.

“Sometimes people argue that we shouldn’t be attempting to farm where we farm. But the photos I’ve taken in the good years help me to remind myself (and my husband) that it’s not us

or our farming practices, but purely the lack of rain.”

ROUNDTABLES HEAR PLIGHT

In the grips of drought, the State Government pulled together key stakeholders across regions to look at support measures. ‘Dry Seasonal Conditions Roundtables’ were held in the SouthEast, Mid North, Eyre Peninsula and the Mallee.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) hosted the series of roundtables, bringing together producers, industry representatives, community and government officials to discuss the challenges of the season and explore the most effective support measures.

Grain Producers SA CEO Brad Perry commended the intent behind the roundtables.

“The roundtables were a good opportunity for key industry and community stakeholders to voice their challenges directly to government,” Mr Perry said.

“Delivering targeted support in a timely and practical way was certainly a raised as a priority.”

WEATHER: The sun sets on another harvest at the Hampel farm in the Mallee.

Common concerns raised at the meetings included the need for improved access to mental health services, more streamlined financial assistance, and greater clarity around fodder availability. Many growers also voiced frustration about the ability to access existing Federal Government drought funding programs, with GPSA calling for additional cashflow support measures, such as council rate rebates.

During the roundtables, feedback was provided that producers are grappling with cash flow issues caused by rising production costs, debt, and fluctuating commodity prices. Many noted the rigidity of banks and the slow response to overdraft reviews, leaving growers without timely financial relief.

Calls were made for grants similar to Victoria’s Drought Infrastructure Program and fee waivers for council rates and farm trailer registrations to ease the burden. The need for increased support for rural financial counsellors and local advisors was flagged, alongside the development of accessible mental health information.

Also heard was overabundant species, including kangaroos, are compounding the effects of drought, damaging pastures and crops. Requests for expanded pest control grants were prominent.

The drought has taken a heavy toll on personal resilience, with the roundtables hearing that many growers are avoiding mental health-themed events but welcoming informal gatherings like community barbecues.

BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

To fill the gap in immediate drought support, GPSA, in partnership with Fat Farmers, took to the regions to bring grain-growing communities together through a series of drought barbecues. These events were supported by PIRSA and the SA Drought Hub and were more than just a chance to share a meal—they were an opportunity to connect, support one another, and find strength as a community.

CRACKING: Eyre Peninsula grain producer Mark Modra posted this photo on X with the caption: ‘Don’t usually see this till mid summer! Think our bucket is almost empty! …though 9.4mm overnight was a real blessing.’

Held across South Australia’s grain-growing regions, the barbecues drew farmers, their families, and local stakeholders together during a time when connection mattered most.

From Minlaton to Jamestown to Bordertown and the Booleroo Centre, the events offered growers a chance to share stories, have a feed and gain insights into the support available during the drought with Rural Business Support, Family and Business Mentors and Ifarmwell representatives in attendance.

The barbecues played a crucial role in fostering community resilience with

more than 250 people attending nine barbecues.

“This drought has put enormous pressure on grain producers and regional towns alike. The barbecues weren’t just about food—they were about bringing people together, acknowledging the challenges we’re facing, and reminding each other that we’re not alone,” Mr Perry said.

SUPPORT LIFELINE

In late 2024, the State Government announced $18 in million drought support assistance measures, including a mix of financial assistance, mental

health and wellbeing support, infrastructure grants, and resources to help producers build resilience for future dry conditions.

The initiative is a direct response to the concerns raised by growers and industry bodies, including GPSA, through the State Government’s Drought Advisory Group.

Premier Peter Malinauskas acknowledged the widespread impact of drought upon announcing $8.1 million in new support initiatives:

“The impacts of drought and adverse conditions are being felt far and wide across South Australia’s farming communities,” he said.

“This significant package is also investing in farmers to drought-proof their properties and grow their business resilience planning for a sustainable future.”

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven emphasised the importance of targeted and effective support.

“Our farmers are feeding our state, the nation, and the world, but are facing

incredibly challenging times right now with many experiencing their driest season on record,” she said.

“The feedback from the Drought Advisory Group and regional drought roundtables has been very valuable in understanding the range of challenges being experienced and identifying priority areas for support, which have been included in this package.”

Grain producers can apply for rebates for on-farm infrastructure projects that assist in managing drought conditions and strengthen drought preparedness. Eligible projects include water infrastructure upgrades, stock containment areas, grain and fodder storage, soil moisture monitors and weather stations – reimbursed up to 75 per cent to a maximum of $5,000.

GPSA Chair John Gladigau said the drought support package is recognition of the severity of this season for grain producers, which is one of the driest on record in South Australia.

“We welcome this investment from the State Government; however, we recognise that additional support will likely be necessary to assist growers in overcoming challenges from the drought

that are expected to persist beyond this season,” he said.

“GPSA lobbied strongly for a 25 per cent farmer co-contribution to the onfarm infrastructure grants, a reduction from the 50 per cent co-contribution required in Victoria, and we are pleased that this will make the grants more accessible to those who can make use of them. We remain concerned that the $5 million allocated to these grants may not stretch far enough, especially when compared to the $12 million allocated to drought-affected council regions in Victoria.”

Mr Gladigau also welcomed the additional funding for Rural Business Support (RBS), which GPSA had strongly advocated for.

“While funding for RBS is appreciated, it must be noted that this service is already operating at capacity with demand continuing to rise,” he said.

“The absence of cashflow support, such as council or Emergency Services Levy (ESL) rebates, for grain producers who have invested significant amounts in planting a failed crop represents a notable gap in this support package.”

COMING TOGETHER: Big turnout for GPSA’s Community Breakfast BBQ event in Streaky Bay.

Given the combined impacts of drought and frost on the growing season, Mr Gladigau said the South Australian economy is projected to lose more than one billion dollars in grain harvest contributions compared to last year.

“The drought support package is a positive step and GPSA will continue to work closely with the Premier and the Minister for Primary Industries to provide ongoing advice and ensure that South Australian grain producers receive the assistance needed to weather one of the toughest seasons in recent memory.”

Southern Flinders Ranges grain producer Russell Zwar said the announcement was generally positive.

“It’s pleasing to see the State Government recognise the drought and announce its support package. The fodder freight assistance for charities and funding for community events will be very beneficial to many. Aside from that I don’t see a lot that we will access,” he said.

Wudinna grain producer Ryan Dubois expected a number of growers in his areas to access parts of the support package.

“The drought package will be beneficial to some growers nearby who had a more challenging season than us with even less rainfall and shallower soil types,” he said.

“We can’t complain as we’ve been lucky enough to end up with an average season with regard to yield and we know many others haven’t been so lucky.”

Jamestown grower Scott Clark said the $18 million “is a drop in the ocean for what our industry brings to the table”.

“Other industries that fall on hard times seem to attract lots of government money. I feel our industry is looked down upon as the poor cousins of most industries. Or just seen as people who complain that it doesn’t rain,” he said.

FUTURE: Mid North grain producer Damian Somerville grabs a handful of wheat seed to show what he’s storing for next year.

DRY: Murraylands based Sean Matthewson posted this photo on X with the caption: “Grateful we got what we did, but hopeful that 2025 will deliver more than 85mm GSR and less frost”.

“It’s a 1-in-100-year event so some financial support would be nice. We seem to find funds for other countries in need, so perhaps it’s time to look in our own backyard.”

In the South-East, Danielle England said many of the current support options won’t be available to them.

“We may use some of it to provide us with some extra decision-making tools; but the hay subsidy nor Farm Household Allowance will not be accessible to us,” she said.

The recognition is important, but the assistance doesn’t go far enough,

according to Mid North farmer Steph Schmidt.

“I’m so glad that recognition is there, and some funds are being made available. But is it “better late than never” or is it “too little too late?” she said.

“On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants will only cover minimal investments on the farm (there’s not much that you can get done for under $6666) and infrastructure grants should be available prior to droughts, not during.

“Those who often benefit are not necessarily those who are hardest hit, instead it’s those who are in a financial position to invest in additional infrastructure.”

Mallee grain producer Lou Flohr largely agrees.

“It’s millions of dollars to keep the lights on at a farm, so a $5,000 grant doesn’t get you too far,” she said.

After concerns were raised by growers, GPSA has created a register to assist grain producers who will need access to seed for the 2025 crop.

“This seed register will help match those in need with those who have seed to spare, ensuring that our members have the resources they need to continue operations during these challenging times,” Mr Perry said.

BANKING ON IT

After the toughest season in 15 years, financial institutions will soon be undertaking reviews with grain producers. Many farmers spent hundreds of thousands of dollars putting a crop in 2024, only for it to fail due to the dry and frost. If there’s ever a time the industry needs banks to show some compassion, it’s now.

As South Australian grain producers grapple with one of the most severe droughts in recent history, Grain Producers SA (GPSA) called on financial institutions to demonstrate flexibility and empathy in their dealings with affected farmers. In a recent appeal, GPSA urged banks to provide tailored support to help growers navigate the significant financial pressures brought on by ongoing drought conditions.

UNDERSTANDING OF FINANCIAL STRAIN REQUIRED

The cost to put in a crop is high and with crop failure, the financial impact for many grain producers has been severe.

This financial strain is expected to extend well into the next 12 to 24 months, making it imperative for banks to offer flexible solutions that address the unique challenges being faced.

Australian Banking Association (ABA) Chief Executive Officer Anna Bligh said the banks know about the drought conditions in South Australia.

“I’d like to reassure members of the farming community in South Australia that banks are very aware that there are some extreme conditions being faced by some of their customers, and that the drought is really starting to bite very hard for some agribusinesses,” she said.

COMING TOGETHER: Agri-finance institutions attended a roundtable with industry stakeholders in December.

“Banks have a very practical toolkit that they can provide, and I should say, they’re used to doing this all the time around the country.

“Droughts, unfortunately, are not the only difficult weather that can impact farmers. Cyclones hit, floods hit, hailstorms take out crops. Banks deal with these issues on a very, very regular basis and have very experienced teams, and they have very practical ways that they can take some financial pressure off.”

Ms Bligh said that if South Australian banks are requiring formal drought declarations before assistance is triggered, she would be “very concerned”.

“Banks are very used to dealing with extreme weather events with their farming customers, literally, on a weekly basis, and you don’t need a

declaration that there’s been a hailstorm,” she said.

“If a customer is experiencing financial hardship for any reason, and there are many reasons, weather is only one of them, but it’s one that disproportionately impacts the farming community. But world prices can drop, there can be trade sanctions, all sorts of things happen, and often at quite short notice. So, you don’t need a declaration if you’re doing it tough, banks have experienced teams, and they have some really practical things that they can do.

“They can defer your loan repayments, for example, they can extend some cash flow arrangements, they can consolidate your debt. There’s some, as I said, very practical tools that can take the pressure off, because banks also know that droughts end and that

it’s a matter of how they can get their customers through that difficult patch.

“Hopefully rain comes and they’re back in, producing, selling their product and doing well. So, it’s a question of, how do we build a bridge from here to the end of the drought for that customer?”

LOSS OF REGIONAL SUPPORT?

When asked about regional bankers being centralised to city locations away from regional branches meaning that one-on-one relationships are being lost, Ms Bligh said banks have several communication points.

“They have dedicated lines; they have hardship teams that can build one-toone relationships with each customer. But many banks, not all, but many

MEETING: Following a letter sent by Grain Producers SA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry seeking compassion for growers impacted by the drought, Commonwealth Bank Regional and Agribusiness Bank North West SA Executive Manager Ed Rowntree reached out to meet.

that we’re helping people through that transition.

PEAK BODY SEEKS PLEASE EXPLAIN FROM BANKS

“Banks

are very used to dealing with extreme weather events with their farming customers, literally, on a weekly basis, and you don’t need a declaration that there’s been a hailstorm.”

Anna Bligh, CEO,

Australian

Banking Association (ABA)

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increasingly difficult for grain producers to access personalised financial advice with the understanding of the conditions that they farm in,” GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said.

“Having regional managers who understand the nuances of grain production is crucial, particularly during drought.

“Growers need face-to-face advice and solutions tailored to their circumstances. Without this, many farmers are left navigating an impersonal system that doesn’t recognise the urgency or the empathy they deserve”

Mr Perry met with several banks, who reached out after receiving GPSA’s letter. One of those was the Commonwealth Bank, with SA/WA General Manager of Regional and Agribusiness David Kennedy outlining that each grower’s situation is assessed individually.

“Many communities across South Australia have been hit hard by the

unrelenting drought and support for drought affected regions is a priority for CBA,” he said.

AGRI-FINANCE ROUNDTABLE

Minister for Primary Industries, Hon Clare Scriven MLC, and Primary Producers SA Chair Simon Maddocks jointly chaired a meeting of agri-finance institutions in December.

Ms Bligh said communication and dialogue is important during these challenging times.

“It will give us an opportunity to outline just how banks can help and how they can take the pressure off when people are doing it tough.

“But it’s also an opportunity, an important one, for us to hear straight from the horse’s mouth where customers have had any difficulties, then we can work with them to try and resolve who the right contact is and how they can get the service they need,” she said.

AWARE: Anna Bligh, CEO of the Australian Banking Association (ABA) says South Australian banks are aware of the drought. Source: ABA.

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South Australian grain producers say chemical changes would wind back the clock

UPROAR IN THE PADDOCKS

South Australian grain producers are pushing back against proposed restrictions on paraquat and diquat, which would render their use ineffective. Without these crucial chemicals, many fear the industry will be forced to turn back the clock, abandoning modern methods for the outdated, inefficient farming practices of decades past.

In mid-2023, then Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt issued an urgent directive to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to complete longstanding chemical reviews, including paraquat and diquat.

The move was in reaction to the Clayton Utz report into the APVMA’s performance, which found reviews had

been sitting incomplete for as long as 20 years.

Paraquat is a widely used herbicide in Australian farming, particularly in grain production, due to its effectiveness in controlling weeds such as ryegrass. Paraquat and diquat are widely used in the South Australian grain industry, and across Australia, as part of a double-knock strategy to control weeds with glyphosate, or as an alter-

native to glyphosate when resistance builds.

The APVMA describes the use of these chemicals as: “Paraquat is registered for use in a range of agricultural and horticultural situations and for weed control in other situations like roadsides and firebreaks. Paraquat is very restricted and only available for use by trained operators, and it must be kept locked up. Some products with a low concen-

tration of diquat are less restricted, but products with higher concentrations are also very restricted.”

The APVMA goes on to state: “Paraquat and diquat were nominated for reconsideration due to concerns relating to the safety of people, including users of the chemicals and the public, safety to the environment, and impact on trade.”

ACCESS: Malinong neighbours and grain producers Rowan Mickan and Alistair Ifould with the boom spray out discussing the ramifications of losing access to paraquat.

On announcing outcomes of the Utz Report in July last year, then Ag Minister Watt said: “The APVMA is Australia’s independent regulator of agricultural and veterinary chemicals up to the point of sale. It’s an important organisation that is responsible for approving new and existing chemicals for our farmers and is responsible for ensuring the human and environmental safety of those chemicals.”

“The Clayton Utz review has also highlighted long delays with the APVMA’s chemical review program. In some cases, these reviews have been going on for over 20 years. I have therefore issued the APVMA with a ministerial directive to finalise outstanding reviews for eight chemicals currently in use - those reviews have been underway for more than 17 years each.

sustainable will be costly.

“This is the first time ever that this type of ministerial direction has been given to the APVMA. I’ve conveyed to the APVMA Board and executive the need for swift action on these reviews.

“The Clayton Utz report does find that there’s no evidence that chemicals have been registered inappropriately. But I am concerned that there are a number of chemicals that are on the market in Australia that have theoretically been under review for more than 17 years, and I don’t think that’s acceptable.”

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) Research Development and Extension (RD&E) Spokesman Andrew Weidemann said paraquat and diquat herbicides are integral to modern farming systems and weed management and a regulatory decision should not be rushed.

“Internal and external pressures on the APVMA have been high in recent times, with costs, resourcing and performance questions being asked in the political sphere and in the media,” he said.

“While the authority needs to be accountable for its work, it also needs the space to operate effectively without

deadlines that do not allow for due diligence.”

APVMA FINALISES REVIEW

The accelerated finalisation of the review into paraquat and diquat by the APVMA resulted in proposed severe restrictions.

In a statement explaining the proposed decision, the APVMA states: “Based on the weight of evidence, the APVMA proposes removing a number of current uses at high rates of application that pose an unacceptable risk to the environment. The APVMA also proposes removing the use of paraquat at higher rates where the short-term risk for poisoning can’t be adequately mitigated. There is no imminent risk to human health or the safety of food.”

The APVMA’s proposed changes include significant limitations on paraquat and diquat, such as:

• Knock-down limited to 820ml/ha paraquat 250 (less than the current recommended minimum)

• No optical or shielded spraying

• No crop topping

• No pre-harvest desiccation and spray-topping pastures limited to 410ml/ha (paraquat).

More than 150 submissions to the consultation process for proposed regulatory decisions for paraquat and diquat, were received, including from GPSA.

The APVMA will now respond with a final regulatory decision by mid-2025, an extension to the originally announced February 2025 timeline.

GPA Interim Chief Executive Pete Arkle said the methodology and risk assessment processes used by the APVMA in this review were short-sighted and would detrimentally impact the industry.

“The assessments and data relied on demonstrates a highly conservative approach that may not fully account for Australia’s unique agricultural landscapes,” he said.

GPSA SURVEY SHOWS SEVERE BACKLASH

A GPSA survey of more than 600 growers highlighted the dire situation facing the industry without adequate access to key chemicals – paraquat and diquat – with many suggesting the proposed changes are the biggest threat to the future of the grain industry.

The survey of 626 grain producers in

STRANDED: Malinong grower Rowan Mickan says without paraquat being

ENGAGED: About 100 grain producers, agronomists and stakeholders gather at CSIRO/GRDC’s Crop Establishment Showcase at Wynarka.

SPRAY: Technology is becoming more efficient but this efficiency is not being recognised as part of the APVMA’s review on paraquat and diquat.

South Australia shows the potentially devastating impacts of the proposed restrictions, which would essentially render these chemicals ineffective, with no viable and equivalent alternatives.

Growers in the survey cited the likely need to return to widespread tillage practices used decades ago for weed control, if paraquat and diquat application rates are reduced as proposed, undoing years of investment in sustainable practices.

GPSA’s survey of 626 producers found:

• 92 per cent of respondents stated they use paraquat often or always, with 96 per cent describing it as highly effective for weed control.

• For diquat, 31 per cent use it regularly, with 82 per cent finding it effective.

• 96 per cent said the restrictions on paraquat would have a substantial negative impact on their farming operations.

• 88 per cent said the restrictions on diquat would have a substantial negative impact on their farming operations.

GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said the survey results demonstrate the widespread impact the proposed restrictions would have on the future of the grain industry in South Australia without a viable alternative.

“Grain producers in South Australia rely on paraquat and diquat for weed control, and there simply aren’t viable alternatives right now. Our survey shows that these chemicals are critical to keeping our farms productive and sustainable. Without them, the impact on grain production will be immense, with significant knock-on effects for the broader agricultural sector,” he said.

“Our survey shows that nearly 96 per cent of the grain producers who responded believe the proposed restrictions on paraquat would have a substantial negative impact on their farming operations and 88 per cent said restrictions on diquat would also have negative impacts.

“Comments from grain producers show that under the proposed restrictions, there will need to be more cultivation of the soil through tillage – a practice largely phased out decades ago, more erosion and loss of precious topsoil, reduced crop yields and

profitability, greater risk of regular dust storms from paddocks and an increase in burn-offs for weed control.

“South Australian grain producers have invested significantly in sustainable farming practices over many decades, and it’s highly concerning that proposed restrictions to the use of paraquat and diquat will be make these herbicides no longer viable and undo much of that progress.”

GPSA provided a submission to the APVMA consultation and wrote to the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Julie Collins, highlighting the need for the Federal Government to consider the economic and environmental impacts separate to the regulator’s independent process.

“The APVMA would have received many submissions and detailed evidence-based technical submissions in response to its call for comments, and the Authority must be given the space (to act independently) and the time to properly complete its paraquat and diquat reviews in line with its own Risk Assessment Manuals. Given how much is at stake here, we cannot allow these decisions to be further pressured by unrealistic politically imposed deadlines.”

GPSA Chair John Gladigau wrote.

“We understand that the APVMA has recommended a two-year phase-out of paraquat and diquat if it decides to move forward with the proposed changes after public consultation.

“We believe that the APVMA has not completed higher tier risk assessments for birds/mammals or runoff risks, which has seen the Authority put forward the highly restrictive proposals, based on screening or Tier 1 risk assessments that are underpinned by unrealistic, highly conservative assumptions.

“This has seen potential risks greatly overstated in the Review Technical Documents, resulting in proposed restrictions that are unlikely to have been substantiated, if proper higher tier risk assessments had been completed (in line with what the APVMA’s guidelines indicate should happen).

“While we appreciate the need for robust regulatory oversight, the timing and scope of these recommendations are of great concern to grain producers across South Australia.”

John Gladiagu, GPSA Chair

“Given the critical importance of paraquat and diquat to sustainable agriculture in Australia, these higher tier assessments (based on Australian conditions of use) must be properly completed and consulted on publicly prior to a final decision being made.

“We request the Federal Government and APVMA allow the time required to comprehensively complete this undertaking without external influences.”

“While we acknowledge that the APVMA operates independently as the national chemical regulator, it is essential

that the Federal Government also considers the broader economic, environmental and community implications the regulator’s decisions can have on the entire agricultural sector.”

FARMERS VOICE CONCERNS

Riverton grain producer Frank McInerney is one of thousands of growers concerned about the impacts of restricting paraquat and diquat on their business.

Growing wheat, barley, durum, canola and lentils, Frank uses paraquat as part of a double knockdown strategy at seeding time and spray topping of legume crops prior to harvest.

“This chemistry is essential in our operation in our fight against controlling ryegrass,” he said.

“With restrictions on paraquat, control of resistant populations of ryegrass will become impossible. It would most likely mean more glyphosate use in place of paraquat. Resistant populations of rye grass will get bigger and eventually have a significant economic impact.”

Despite there being no viable and affordable alternatives to paraquat and diquat, Frank said he would not re-

vert to tillage as it would “very quickly undo all the benefits of years of no-till”.

It’s a similar story for Eyre Peninsula grain producer Mark Modra.

Farming at Edillilie and Yeelanna, Mark grows canola, lentils, beans and wheat, as well as running around 700 ewes.

“Diquat, and particularly Paraquat, are important tools in our farm program,” he said.

“Their main use is to protect other chem products, particularly glyphosate, from resistance, ultimately making our farm system more sustainable. It also helps us harvest crops like lentils early, therefore ensuring a quality product.

“By ‘double knocking’ (using glyphosate and then paraquat soon after) we expose our weeds to two different modes of action, making if far more difficult for weeds to develop resistance.”

Mark described glyphosate resistance as “very real and developing every year”.

TOOLS: Eyre Peninsula grain producer Mark Modra says paraquat and diquat are important tools in his farm program.

“Paraquat is the real practical alternative to help support glyphosate,” he said.

“I have tried glufosinate (Basta) this last season as an alternative to paraquat but have found it quite restrictive and expensive to use. Firstly, chemical rates are far higher, and the product needs to be applied twice, about 10 days apart. Secondly, it needs particular weather conditions (humid and warm) that are not conducive to our cold winters, when we would be using paraquat. Finally, it has MRL issues and can’t be used late in the season like paraquat.

“Using lower paraquat rates, or sub lethal rates, will do more damage than good as it will encourage herbicide resistance quickly.

“The fear is that life without paraquat will develop to life without glyphosate because of resistance and we will seriously need to look at returning to cultivation to kill weeds with the obvious environmental issues such as water erosion and dust storms.

“Crop yields/production will be lower too as seeding will often fall out of the optimal planting window and we will need to kill weeds by cultivation.”

On the Lower Eyre Peninsula, Coulta grain producer Dustin Parker is acutely aware of how any restrictions imposed on paraquat and diquat will mean the loss of important tools in the farming kit.

“We currently use paraquat prior to sowing as a double knock to try and help delay roundup resistance in weeds, especially ryegrass,” he said.

“It is also used to crop top legumes and spray top pastures to reduce weed set of grasses, in particular. Diquat is mainly used in the sprayed seed formulation in the double knock process but could become more widely used as more roundup ready canola is grown.

“Without this double knock option and crop/spray topping options available, it will put more pressure back on roundup and speed up resistance without the use of other options.

“Trials are starting to happen with the use of glufosinate and other additives to roundup, like voraxor and terrador. Until these products are proven, or registered for these purposes, this is all an unknown and also a lot more expensive, therefore increasing cost of production.

“If we lose the ability to use roundup successfully this will put more pressure on other pre-emergent chemicals and eventually lead to more resistance in these products, eventually leading to more cultural practices, such as tillage and burning.”

Dustin is adamant he doesn’t want to return to oudated farming practices, but he also understands that he may have to with restricted use of paraquat and diquat.

“We do not want to go back to using tillage and burning to control weeds as it increases soil erosion and degrades soil structure. We are all trying to maintain or improve our soils and soil health to hopefully be more sustainable and produce more,” he said.

“We would go back to these methods if we had no choice, to do whatever we could to produce a profitable crop.

“For long term sustainable agriculture to work, we need as many tools or options as possible to delay herbicide resistance and be able to produce quality clean grain. The more options/tools we lose, it puts more pressure on the ones we have remaining.”

CHALLENGE: Spraying weeds like ryegrass will become more difficult without being able to use full rates of key chemicals.

MALINONG FARMERS SEEING RED OVER PROPOSAL

At Malinong, neighbours Rowan Mickan and Alistair Ifould are already considering the cost ramifications of losing paraquat.

Third generation farmer, Rowan, has canola, beans, wheat and barley as his growing staples, while Alistair grows wheat, beans and canola.

“We’re finding more and more glyphosate resistance, so paraquat is an extra tool for us to combat that to use it in the traditional double knockdown,” Alistair said.

“We rely on it, probably the most for desiccating the beans and that allows us to go in and harvest,” Rowan added.

“It is a massive tool for us. We have silver grass grow on our white sandy hills which needs paraquat to combat and we use it to keep grass seeds of our sheep and out of our meat.”

Rowan said any replacement chemicals for desiccating beans were estimated to cost “upwards of $40 per hectare”.

“We’re already trying to be a sustainable farm and it’s going to get more expensive,” Alistair said.

“We’ve

changed significantly over recent decades.

‘It’s just frustrating when these things happen, and they get taken out of your hands and we feel like we’re best practice now.

“God forbid we need to go back to tillage, but we don’t want to go down that path, it’s actually a bit emotive to talk about. We’ve been there, done that.

“We can’t rely on germination of weeds and then to till it, it’s just never going to work, not sustainably anyway. Currently we are trying to preserve the country and not have it blown away.”

Alistair and Rowan said modern practices in applying chemicals have

“Most grain farmers are now quite professional in how they’re handling chemicals and what they’re doing and recording data and using wind speeds and delta Ts to do things.

“We all invest in the right equipment to make it happen properly. We can’t be, we can’t afford to waste money on herbicide and and let’s face it, we all want to be safe, we all employ people, and we want them to be safe and healthy.”

TRIAL TESTS WHETHER REDUCED RATES EFFECTIVE

South Australian researchers are exploring the efficacy of using reduced rates of paraquat, following the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s (APVMA) announcement of proposed restrictions on the chemical. The research, funded by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT), aims to assess the impact of these changes on pulse crop management and identify viable alternatives.

Currently, South Australian grain producers use paraquat at rates of 800 millilitres per hectare or higher for crop topping lentils and faba beans.

This practice typically occurs just before crop maturity, with harvest following 5 to 10 days later. However, the APVMA’s proposed changes will reduce the allowable rate of paraquat to 400ml per hectare and increase the minimum withholding period to 14 days, making current practices unsustainable.

In response to these proposed changes, SAGIT funded an urgent out-ofsession project that will see researchers from the University of Adelaide examine options for crop topping with reduced paraquat rates. The project will also explore alternative treatments that can help manage late-emerging weeds and optimise harvest timing.

Chair of SAGIT Dr Andrew Barr and a grain grower from Pinery, stressed the importance of this research for growers facing uncertain changes in 2025.

“The APVMA’s proposed changes will have a significant impact on the options available for crop topping in

RESEARCH: SAGIT Chair Dr Andrew Barr said the APVMA’s proposed changes will have a significant impact on the options available for crop topping in pulse crops, such as lentils and faba beans.

pulse crops, such as lentils and faba beans,” he said.

“SAGIT immediately identified the proposed changes to paraquat use as a major challenge to sustainable pulse growing. We recognise advocacy and debate on the future of paraquat is the role of Grain Producers SA and federal grower representative bodies such as Grain Producers Australia and Grain Growers Limited.

“At SAGIT, our role is to support research into alternatives for farmers to the current use of high rates of paraquat for crop topping pulses.”

The trials will focus on lentils and faba beans at two sites: one in a low-rainfall zone and one in a high-rainfall zone.

Researchers will assess the time to brownout, effectiveness in controlling ryegrass seed set, and the impact on crop yield. A pot trial at the Waite campus will also investigate the timing of treatments and efficacy in controlling ryegrass seed set.

Eyre Peninsula grain producers on edge as restrictions threaten…

HIGH WATER PRESSURE

Eyre Peninsula grain producers and communities are facing possible SA Water restrictions without completed construction of the Billy Lights Point desalination plant before mid-2026.

The SA Water leased Uley South Basin is the Eyre Peninsula’s last significant groundwater source, providing 75 per cent of the region’s water supply to approximately 35,000 customers. However, levels in the Basin are alarmingly low leading to SA Water applying level two in its Water Security Response Plan – requesting the community to be waterwise but not implementing restrictions.

The plan outlines four water security response levels and supporting actions required to be taken by the community, ranging from normal water availability (Level 1) to an extreme water shortage (Level 4).

Under the Primary Producers section of the plan, it specifies: “we will continue to work with this sector to identify opportunities for water demand reduction through restrictions. Further details about water saving measures for primary producers will be available in early 2025”.

DESAL PLANT GETS APPROVAL

In late 2024, the State Government approved plans to build a new desalination plant at Billy Lights Point on the Eyre Peninsula after being recommended by the State Commission Assessment Panel.

FUTURE: A desalination plant is being proposed at Billy Lights Point to help

As part of the approval, 22 conditions were accepted including, final design documentation to be submitted to the Minster for Planning, Stormwater Management and Bushfire Management plans to be prepared and that all stormwater design and construction need to be in accordance with council requirements and engineering practices.

The pipes will be in a deeper area off the coast of Billy Lights Point, up to a kilometre offshore to minimise impact on the marine environment.

The need for an Eyre Peninsula desalination plant and its location has been the subject of intense scrutiny since first touted as a long-term solution to the region’s water security in 2008.

The Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board earlier this year advised that a review of the region’s Water Allocation Plan is likely to recommend a significant reduction in the amount of water SA Water is licenced to extract from groundwater sources from 1 July 2026.

Early indications have shown increased salinity levels in the aquifers. Continued extraction of water from these

WATER: Concept design image for the Eyre Peninsula desalination plant published in 2023. Source: SA Water

vital groundwater sources at current levels would lead to irreversible damage, meaning they could not be used to supply drinking water and would impact water allocations to all farmers and primary producers across the Eyre Peninsula.

To help conserve water until the desalination plant is built, SA Water is offering rebates to its customers on Eyre Peninsula for water efficient appliances and household fixtures.

Billy Lights Point was endorsed as the preferred location for a plant by the SA Water Board in early 2023, following a comprehensive site selection process over several years, with investigations conducted into more than 15 potential locations.

A South Australian Research and Development Institute report into the environmental impacts of a small desalination plant at Billy Lights Point found it can be built with minimal impact to the local marine environment.

The State Government has said early preparatory works for construction of the desalination plant are planned to begin before the end of the year, with first water expected to be delivered by mid-2026.

Minister for Planning Nick Champion said Billy Lights Point desalination

plant will deliver a climate-independent and sustainable drinking water source for the Eyre Peninsula.

“We are working to a tight deadline. We all want to avoid water restrictions and must deliver an alternative water supply by mid-2026,” he said. “This Government doesn’t want to be responsible for farmers having to shoot livestock, and residents unable to drink tap water.”

GROWERS CAN’T AFFORD WATER RESTRICTIONS

Kimba grain producer and Grain Producers SA Deputy Chair Peta Willmott said any restrictions on grain producers being able to access SA Water supply for spraying chemicals or other farming needs would be severely detrimental.

“Summer spraying is critical for weed control and maintaining soil health, especially as we work to maximise yields in increasingly challenging conditions.

“For growers, water isn’t just a resource—it’s a lifeline. Reducing water rates for spraying could compromise the efficacy of chemicals, which in turn impacts grain quality and productivity. That has a flow-on effect across the entire supply chain.”

Ms Willmott also emphasised the role of water in livestock management, with many grain producers on the Eyre Peninsula running mixed farming operations.

“Reticulated water is vital for livestock, particularly in drier areas like the Eyre Peninsula. Any restrictions on water availability could have serious consequences, not just for animal welfare but for the sustainability of farm businesses and the communities that rely on them,” she said.

“The agricultural sector on the Eyre Peninsula is already under significant pressure due to the drought. While we understand the need for careful water management, it’s critical that growers

“A reliable water supply is absolutely essential to farming operations, not just for sustaining livestock but also for ensuring our crops have the best possible chance of thriving.”

Peta Willmott, Kimba, GPSA Director

have the flexibility to use water where it’s needed most to ensure both shortand long-term viability of their operations.”

GPSA and other key industry stakeholders have been engaged in Primary Producers/SA Water roundtable discussions about the water supply situation on the Eyre Peninsula. These discussions will be ongoing.

Given Primary Producers account for almost 40 per cent of all metered water use on the Eyre Peninsula, GPSA participated in the SA Water roundtable discussions to help determine how it can better understand water use amongst the agriculture sector and the economic and social impacts of a potential reduction in water supply.

SA Water has prepared a Water Security Response plan, which outlines how Government and SA Water intends to respond to a potential water supply shortfall on the Eyre Peninsula, including its plan to proactively manage demand while the proposed desalination plant is constructed and commissioned.

• Optimise on-farm water use: Explore ways to reduce water use wherever possible without compromising productivity. Look for efficiency gains in daily tasks and processes.

• Invest in storage solutions: Consider rainwater tanks, HDPE-lined trench storage, and sheeted catchments to capture and store rainwater, providing a reliable water source during dry periods.

• Efficient crop spraying: Minimise water use per crop spray wherever feasible, aiming for as little as 60 litres per hectare, to lower costs and conserve resources.

• Advanced metering and leak detection: Install smart meters, additional on-farm meters, and leak detection units to monitor water use accurately. Spot leaks early and prevent unnecessary water loss, keeping your water use efficient and cost-effective.

Last Supper Mouse Bait

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Farmers can access up to 75% of their infrastructure expenditure, significantly lowering the financial barrier to investing in long-term solutions. The

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In addition, Pioneer is committed to offering tailored solutions for grain farmers, ensuring their tanks meet the specific demands of rural operations, including irrigation, livestock watering, and fire protection. With a focus on environmental sustainability, Pioneer’s solutions not only secure water but also contribute to long-term drought resilience.

Act Now: Submit Your Expression of Interest

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STRONGER LONGER

HOUSING PLANS TARGET FERTILE CROPPING LAND

South Australia’s grain industry faces a growing challenge as the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP) has earmarked nearly 4,000 hectares of prime cropping land in the Adelaide Plains for long-term residential development, ignoring calls by farmers to protect productive land.

The GARP draft plan proposes accommodating 33,300 new homes in the Roseworthy and surrounding area to address the state’s housing demands. However, industry has raised concerns that this expansion could significantly impact future grain production and investment in the broader agricultural sector in South Australia.

The land west of Roseworthy, stretching from Mulda-Wirra and Redbanks Roads to Horrocks Highway, and eastward towards She-Oak Log and Freeling, represents some of South Australia’s most productive cropping country. Historically, these regions have delivered high yields, driven by fertile soils and reliable farming practices.

South Australia needs to build 315,000 homes over the next 30 years to accommodate an estimated population growth of 670,000 people. While GARP highlights the importance of minimising the impact on agriculture, the removal of land from Environment and Food Production Areas (EFPAs)—designed to protect agricultural lands—raises questions about the long-term viability of cropping in these regions.

Land within the EFPA at Two Wells and Murray Bridge has been identified for housing developments, alongside green-

field sites outside the EFPA in areas such as Murray Bridge, Kudla in the northern suburbs, and Buckland Park.

“Where land is removed from the EFPA, the structure planning of new urban areas should consider existing horticultural and farming activities, including the impacts of spray drift and noise, to ensure that new development does not prejudice the continued operation of primary production,” the plan states.

SUBMISSION CALLS FOR STRONGER PROTECTIONS

Grain Producers SA (GPSA) and Primary Producers SA (PPSA) have outlined concerns about building on productive and valuable agricultural land as has been done in the past at Mount Barker, Virginia, Angle Vale and Gawler.

In GPSA’s submission to the Planning Commission, Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry outlined the importance of finding the delicate balance between the need for new housing developments and the preservation of productive broadacre cropping land.

“GPSA understands that urban development is essential for the growth of the regions, but contends it is crucial that the Plan includes and balances measures to protect productive broadacre crop-

ping land from housing encroachment,” he wrote in the submission.

“The industry employs thousands of people across the state and exports to more than 60 countries around the globe. Protecting productive cropping lands ensures continued prosperity for South Australia on several levels.

“It has been noted in previous GPSA submissions that the encroaching urban development on broadacre cropping land is also creating challenges with buffer zones, noise and operation of machinery, amongst other issues. On almost all occasions, it is the farmer who was there first.”

Mr Perry said GPSA has received feedback from local grain producers that they support maintaining current EFPAs.

“Feedback from grain producers currently confronting land-use demands states there is a clear lack of balance between urban areas and farmers seeking to sustainably farm their land. This imbalance will likely only lead to greater disputes in the future as population growth and urban expansion continue to encroach into traditional regional and rural areas,” Mr Perry wrote.

BALANCE: Land in the Roseworthy and Freeling area is considered among the best farming land in South Australia, but 4000 hectares has been earmarked for housing development. PHOTO: Quinton McCallum

“Whilst GPSA understands and supports the need for more housing to meet demand, particularly to accommodate more essential workers, such as agricultural workers, GPSA believes it should not be at the expense of productive broadacre land.”

The South Australian grain industry remains increasingly concerned that the new plan proposes to build houses on significant acreage of prime cropping land at Roseworthy and surrounds.

“This area, recognised for its excellent soil and consistent rainfall, has played an important role in contributing strongly to the state’s grain harvest on a consistent basis. The land’s strategic importance to the grain sector cannot be overstated, making its potential conversion to residential use a matter of serious concern for GPSA and its members,” Mr Perry wrote.

“While we understand the necessity of planning for urban growth, this must not come at the irreversible cost of South Australia’s best agricultural land.

“The Greater Adelaide region, especially areas like Freeling, Mallala and Roseworthy, plays a dual role in supporting both housing and agriculture. However, the balance appears increasingly skewed towards residential development, rais¬ing concerns about long-term food security and impacting the sustainability of the grain sector.

“Striking a balance between sustainable development, urban expansion and agricultural preservation should include

“As a consequence, the discussion paper has nothing to say about how the GARP might create a supportive local

“The loss of such valuable farmland not only threatens grain production capacity but also compromises South Australia’s ability to meet growing food demands domestically and around the world.” Brad Perry, GPSA CEO

detailed criteria and standards for development in growth areas, ensuring primary production areas are managed and maintained as much as possible.

“Furthermore, by protecting productive broadacre cropping land from development it gives confidence to grain producers to invest in and expand their operation, leading to further improvements in soil and water management, ensuring greater sustainability and resilience for future generations.”

Primary Producers SA also raised similar concerns in its submission on the proposed new Plan.

“We are concerned about the discussion paper’s silence on rural land use matters generally and primary industry in particular,” Chief Executive Officer Caroline Rhodes said.

operating and investment environment for primary producers in the face of continuing non-farm development in the region’s rural landscapes and ongoing business diversification amongst producers themselves. Neither does it canvass any policy or infrastructure initiatives that might assist the sector, for example, in systematically identifying key resources and assets across the region, adapting to climate uncertainty, or establishing ‘hubs’ or ‘clusters’ to support local industry development.

“There is nothing positive in the discussion paper for primary industry at either the business or sector level.

“In relation to the identification of future greenfield sites, the discussion paper relies on a change of stance regarding the EFPA that, PPSA believes, risks undermining its original objectives.”

WHERE TO NEXT?

GPSA urged the State Planning Commission to:

1. Prioritise Agricultural Land Protection: Establish clear guidelines to protect prime grain production areas, particularly those with consistent rainfall and soil, from being rezoned for urban development.

2. Implement Rigorous Planning and Review Processes: Any proposal to convert agricultural land for housing should undergo thorough assessments to weigh its impact on food production and longterm sustainability.

3. Foster Integrated Planning Approaches: Promote urban growth strategies that respect the importance of agriculture, such as higher-density housing developments within existing urban boundaries and utilising underdeveloped urban lands.

4. Engages with Agricultural Stakeholders: Continuously involve agricultural stakeholders in planning processes to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed.

“GPSA strongly advocates for a strategic approach that preserves South Australia’s agricultural heritage while accommodating necessary urban growth. Striking a careful balance is not just about meeting immediate housing needs but ensuring the long-term viability of our grain industry, food security, and economic health,” Mr Perry wrote.

GOVERNMENT PUSHES AHEAD WITH PLAN

In the State Government’s ‘What we Heard’ document on the proposed Plan following hundreds of submissions, it identified that a key feedback theme relating to a productive economy was “the importance of protecting prime agricultural land from residential development”.

DEVELOPING: The Greater Regional Adelaide Plan has identified current cropping land within housing growth areas. Source: Plan SA.

The consultation summary also noted: “There is strong support for preserving Greater Adelaide’s scenic landscapes and agriculturally productive areas”.

The revised Plan will be submitted to the State Planning Commission for endorsement and following that, will go to the Minster for Planning for approval. It is anticipated the finalised Plan will be publicly released in early 2025.

Minister for Planning and Housing Nick Champion said Roseworthy makes sense for housing development for several reasons.

“The proposed future urban growth areas at Roseworthy have the potential to underpin a significant, long-term land supply pipeline for housing in northern

Adelaide,” Mr Champion told the Stock Journal.

“Roseworthy is connected by key transport infrastructure, it is close to Gawler and on the doorstep of the Barossa.

“Roseworthy represents a logical area to expand as there is already infrastructure investment occurring now and in the near future.

“While removal from the EFPA would still need to be subject to a further review by the State Planning Commission, these future growth areas have been identified based on the consideration of a range of factors, including their environmental and agricultural value.”

Questions arise over whether grain producers are better or worse off after 3G switch-off

FARMERS CAN’T PHONE HOME

After 18 years telecommunication providers, such as Telstra, officially turned off the 3G network in late 2024. The switch-off enabled greater bandwidth on the 5G network but many grain producers have been left to rue a lack of connectivity in areas they used to have.

Eyre Peninsula grain producer Mark Modra used to get phone signal in areas of his farm under 3G that are now blackspots. The explanation he gets from the telecommunications companies doesn’t provide much in the way of an explanation.

“Everyone I speak to would rather have 3G and get phone reception (low data rates) rather than 4 and 5G (high data rates) and poor coverage,” he said.

Fellow Eyre Peninsula farmer Dion Woolford echoed similar sentiments.

“I’ve resorted to using my parent’s landline for the first time in a long time to get in touch with them. They’re completely cut off once they’re out of their Wi-Fi range. 5G (is) not cutting it,” he said.

On Facebook’s Harvesting the Crop page, Yorke Peninsula grain producer Jake Oster said connectivity is getting worse.

“(It’s) been pretty bad where we farm for the last couple of years but has got worse since the (3G) drop out…we’re not talking big distances away from the towers,” he wrote.

Yorke Peninsula grain producer based at Arthurton, Mark Eden, wrote that some farmers have had to revert to conversations over the UHF radio following the 3G switch-off.

Grain Producers SA has received many communications from growers who believe their connectivity is worse since 3G was switched off.

“The 3G switch-off has exacerbated concerns about existing mobile blackspots and casted the limelight on the need for whole-of-farm reliable phone and internet coverage,” GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said.

“GPSA has received considerable feedback from grain producers following the 3G network shutdown, with a primary concern being that some areas previously covered by 3G have now become blackspots.

“Connectivity in regional areas has long been a challenge, and the switch-off has exacerbated frustrations for those unable to transition smoothly due to outdated or incompatible devices or technology.

“There have also been concerns raised about the cost and complexity of upgrading equipment reliant on 3G which

has taken some farmers by surprise, and the potential safety risks associated with unreliable connectivity. We have also found that traffic through mobile phone network towers with more and more tourists travelling across South Australia is impacting reliable connection for grain producers”

“The shutdown has already impacted farmers, particularly those in areas without adequate 4G or 5G coverage. In those areas, it has disrupted access to essential services such as farm management software, real-time market and weather updates, and communication with workers and contractors. In some cases, it has slowed productivity and heightened safety concerns, especially during peak periods like harvest.

“Our primary concern is the widening digital divide and the ongoing reliance on reliable connectivity to run an efficient farming operation in today’s age. The lack of sufficient 4G and 5G coverage in some farming regions has left many grain producers at a disadvantage, affecting their ability to adopt technology and remain competitive in a global market.

“Connectivity is no longer a luxury— it’s a necessity for modern agriculture. Farmers need reliable, affordable solu-

CONNECTIVITY: Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee Chair Hon Alannah MacTiernan, says connectivity is “no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity for modern agriculture”. PHOTO: X.

tions to remain competitive and sustainable. GPSA remains committed to working with network providers, governments, and other stakeholders to ensure South Australian grain producers are not left behind. The switch-off has further highlighted the critical need for improved telecommunications in regional areas, and we will continue to push for meaningful action to address these challenges.”

SA REPORTS LOWER THAN OTHER STATES

Regional Tech Hub Manager Jennifer Medway said as of mid-December, there had not been as many calls to their office from South Australia as there had been from other states.

“Of the 38 cases we are progressing with Telstra, six of them are from South Australia,” she said.

“Having said that, we have received around 60 to 70 calls and lots of questions/ engagement via social media from people having issues since the 3G shutdown and we don’t always know where those are coming from.”

Ms Medway said farmers remain concerned about areas they used to get 3G

signal but are getting nothing after the switch-off.

“The cases from South Australia are from people that used to get 3G coverage and since the shutdown are now experiencing reduced service or none at all,” she said.

“In one of the cases, the end user is experiencing dropouts and difficulties with service in areas where they used to get it.

“It can be really frustrating experiencing a drop in the quality of service.

“The one thing I would advise is to try the steps above and if nothing improves, then please reach out to Telstra (if that is your provider) through 13 22 00 (say the word 3G shutdown when prompted), or get in touch with us at the Regional Tech Hub, we can escalate the issue to Telstra on your behalf and we only need a few details.

“There are plenty examples where have been able to give people information and advice on what comes back from Telstra, or there were actually issues with the towers that Telstra didn’t know about.”

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Telstra’s Executive for Technology Engagement Advancement, Channa Seneviratne, said every effort was made to alert farmers and communities about the 3G switch-off.

“Over the past five years, we’ve reached out to our customers across almost every channel we could think of to give everyone the heads up ahead of this closure,” he said.

“Since then, we’ve also been busy upgrading and expanding our 4G coverage to an equivalent size and reach to our 3G footprint. Most customers moving from a 3G only device will generally notice an improvement in speed when using a compatible device,” he said.

“In 2011, we were the first carrier to extend 4G services into regional areas and our 4G network now reaches 99.7% of the Australian population. We are still upgrading and expanding our 5G network every single day and currently cover over 89% of Australia’s population with 5G.

“With the additional spectrum available to us now that 3G has closed, we’ll be

SERVICE: Telstra’s coverage map showing 4G and 5G phone access across South Australia .

able to extend and upgrade our 5G network to an even greater extent.”

ogy developments have resulted in new and emerging services that could be considered as part of a modernised Uni-

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TECH HUB’S TIPS FOR FARMERS EXPERIENCING POOR CONNECTIVITY ISSUES

Here are five simple steps people can do if they are experiencing poor connectivity issues. These steps come from Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia.

Step 1: Check your provider’s coverage map.

Optus: www.optus.com.au/ living-network/coverage

• Vodafone: www.vodafone. com.au/network/coverage-checker

• Telstra: www.telstra.com.au/ coverage-networks/our-coverage (two maps, shows coverage with and without antennas)

Step 2: Check Your Antennas

Mobile antennas are designed for a certain band or frequency. You may receive bars of coverage on your mobile phone, but calls may cut out, be poor quality and data upload and download speeds degraded if you are using an incompatible antenna which is not on the right frequency in your location.

Step 3: Check your network settings, software updates & other tips

If you’re experiencing mobile coverage issues following the 3G shutdown, ensure your device is optimised for the best possible performance by updating any software and turn it off and on. This advice is not just for mobile phones, but also for celfis, boosters and antennas.

Step 4: Check Your Cel-Fi

Repeaters

If you’re using a Cel-Fi repeater to enhance your mobile coverage, here are some important settings to check, along with guidance on software updates and compatibility. Please note that while Cel-Fis are designed to extend coverage by boosting signals, they cannot overcome network congestion issues.

Step 5: Document the Issues and contact your provider

Start by making a detailed list of the issues you’re facing. Can you make calls? Do calls drop out? Can you load data on your phone? What signal is showing (bars, SOS, satellite symbol)? Does the issue happen at specific times or on certain dates? Also, note the device you’re using.

WHAT’S CHANGED ON YOUR FARM?

buildings and machinery, or renovations? If it’s been a while since your last farm insurance review, your cover may not be adequate. Contact us to discuss your farm insurance needs.

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Grain Producers SA establishes Parliamentary group to raise awareness about the importance of the grain sector

NEED A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

MAKING FRIENDS: Grain industry leaders and stakeholders meet with the Minister and Shadow Minister for Primary Industries at Parliament House for the first Parliamentary Friends of Grain meeting.

In a landmark development for the South Australian grain industry, Grain Producers SA (GPSA) held the first-ever meeting of its Friends of Parliament initiative in late 2024, marking a significant step forward in building stronger connections between the grain sector and policymakers on North Terrace.

The Parliamentary Friends of Grain group is designed to engage with members of the South Australian Parliament from all sides of politics, ensuring that they are well-informed about the challenges, opportunities, and priorities facing the grain sector in the state. By fostering closer working relationships with legislators, GPSA aims to amplify its advocacy efforts on behalf of the 4,500 grain-growing businesses it represents across the state.

The Group is co-chaired by Hon Nicola Centofanti MLC and Eddie Hughes MP.

At the inaugural meeting hosted by the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, GPSA Chair John Gladigau outlined the key issues that GPSA is currently focused on, including adjusting to the changing climate, investment in RD&E, sustainable farming practices, biosecurity, and the economic viability and future outlook of the grain industry, amongst others.

The event brought together a diverse group of key stakeholders from across the supply chain, who were keen to promote the sector and the challenges and opportunities faced by grain producers.

“The grain industry plays a pivotal role in the South Australian economy, and it’s crucial that our decision-makers understand the realities on the ground for farmers,” GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said.

“The Parliamentary Friends of Grain initiative is an important step in creat-

ing a more informed and engaged dialogue between our industry and those in positions of power.

“An area that GPSA identified as needing to be strengthened is promotion of the excellent things that the grain industry in South Australia is doing, and this initiative assist with that.”

The initiative also provides a platform for parliamentarians to share insights and propose solutions, fostering a collaborative approach to policy development. The first meeting set the tone for future gatherings, with another to be held in the first quarter of 2025.

Mr Perry concluded: “This is just the beginning of an ongoing conversation. We are committed to working alongside our political leaders to ensure that the grain industry’s voice is heard loud and clear in the halls of South Australian Parliament and beyond.”

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The jury is out on whether the incoming United States President’s agricultural and trade policies will divide or unite Australian agriculture....

TRUMP OR BE TRUMPED?

While the United States isn’t a big market for Australian grain, its agricultural and trade policies ripple far beyond its borders. The real question is: how will Donald Trump’s approach to these policies shape the future of global agriculture and is Australia positioned to take advantage of the opportunities?

America has voted and for the second time, Donald Trump will take the reins as President of the United States. Rhetoric around trade tariffs has many rightly cautious but the opportunities are also ever present. However, it’s Trump’s announcement of Robert F Kennedy Junior as the US Secretary of Health and Human Services that has farmers worried. And from online chatter, it looks like the incoming President wants him to get involved in food, health and farming policies almost immediately.

THE KENNEDY EFFECT

Robert F Kennedy Jr had previously posted on X (formerly Twitter): “When @realDonaldTrump gets me inside the USDA (US Department of Agriculture), we’re going to give farmers an off-ramp from the current system that destroys soil, makes people sick, and harms family farms”.

Grains analyst for Episode 3, Andrew Whitelaw, told radio media: “I think the RFK question is a lot more interesting than the question: What will Trump do?” he said.

“When you look at what RFK is talking about, it’s a hodgepodge of different ideas and we don’t know exactly what he’s going to do.

“Years ago, he was on a legal team suing Monsanto for allegations of health concerns related to glyphosate … and a lot of what he’s talking about now sits more in line with Greens policies than traditional right or centre-right politics.

“A lot of Trump’s support comes from rural USA, and I don’t think many will be happy to see these kinds of policies that RFK is advocating.”

For Australian grain growers, the primary risk lies in alignment (or lack of) between US and EU standards potentially impacting global trade norms which place pressure on Australia to adopt similar standards.

A GrainGrowers briefing note on the US election results also highlights the impact Kennedy Jnr could have on global agriculture.

“Under a new Trump administration, policies on agricultural chemicals may be influenced by key figures such

as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has expressed a desire for stricter regulation of agricultural chemicals. In early October, in a video Kennedy posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he intends to work with Trump to “ban the worst agricultural chemicals” if placed in a role within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Such regulatory shifts could lead to tighter US standards on chemicals, which may impact US grain production costs and practices,” it reads.

TARIFFS AND TRADE RELATIONS

President Trump’s re-election has reignited concerns about potential trade wars, particularly with China. His administration has indicated plans to impose tariffs on foreign goods, with levies on Chinese imports potentially reaching up to 60 per cent. Such measures could provoke retaliatory tariffs from China, adversely affecting US farmers and, by extension, global grain markets.

For South Australian grain producers, this scenario may lead to increased competition in Asian markets, as China might seek alternative suppliers,

FOOD INSECURITY: GrainGrowers Report shows the impact of how food insecurity influences conflicts.

BELOW: Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s appointment as US Secretary of Health has farmers worried.

potentially benefiting Australian exporters.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 96.1 per cent of Australian exports to the US are tariff-free under a 20-year-old free trade deal. ABARES states that two-way trade for Australia with the US is worth $115 billion, with exports from Australia worth $32 billion.

Commonwealth Bank Sustainable and Agriculture Economist Dennis Voznesenski said there is still plenty to play out when it comes to potential trade tariffs.

“Making a tariff announcement regarding Canada and Mexico two months prior to inauguration may indicate his (Trump) tariff rhetoric is the beginning of negotiations rather than definite implementation,” he said.

“If we assume the tariffs are implemented, the impact on animal protein and grains markets will be different to the impact on canola.

“On average, the US imported 706,000 head of cattle and 304,000 tonnes of beef from Canada. From Mexico, the US on average imported 1.3 million head of cattle, and 235,000 tonnes of beef. Reducing cattle and beef imports from Mexico and Canada via tariffs should support demand for Australian beef exports and prices.

“The US imported 1.8mmt of wheat, 1.4mmt of oats and 243,000 tonnes of barley from Canada (mostly malt quality) on average over the past five years. Australia can partially substitute for Canadian supply, benefiting local Australian grain prices.”

Mr Voznesenski said the tariff impact on canola is less straightforward.

“In recent years, Canada has expanded canola crush capacity to provide the US with canola oil for biofuels,” he said.

“The more canola that Canada crushes locally, the less canola seed competes with Australian product in Asia and Europe. Canada exports a considerable volume of canola meal (3.5mmt) and canola oil (2.1mmt) to the US on average. The amount of unprocessed canola seed is relatively small (0.5mmt).

“There could be increased demand for canola oil and meal, benefiting Australian crushers and exporters who already have the channels to moveproduct to the US. For canola farmers, the benefit from increased Australian crush demand will be constrained by our national canola crush capacity, approximately 1.3mmt. There is only so much canola that can be put through existing plants.

“Furthermore, if Canadian crushers have less incentive to crush canola from 20 January 2025, more seed may be exported, increasing competition into Asia and Europe. The result may

weigh on Australian canola prices compared to a no-tariff scenario.”

The Australian agricultural market is cautious on the discussion around Free Trade Agreements (FTA) under a Trump presidency, according to Mr Voznesenski.

“Australia has thrived for decades on a global free trade model and FTA’s,” he said.

“While production has rocketed higher, it has predominantly moved to export markets instead of being consumed domestically inside Australia. This is especially the case for South Australia where over 80 per cent of some crops are exported. The further the world steers away from free trade and towards protectionism and government intervention, the more challenging the outlook is for an export-oriented nation like Australia.

“It doesn’t mean there won’t be opportunities, but the road for industry growth ahead is going to be a lot more bumpy and possibly disruptive.”

IMPACT ON OZ GRAIN

A Grain Growers briefing note outlines the potential impact of a Trump Presidency on Australian grain producers.

“With approximately 65-75% of Australian grain exported annually, the sector is heavily exposed to international trade dynamics, with external shocks and events beyond its control.”

“The re-election of Donald Trump to the US presidency could bring substantial shifts in agricultural, environmental, and trade policies with far-reaching effects on global grain markets. Key areas that may impact Australian grain growers include changes to chemical regulations, the US Farm Bill, environmental policies, and an increase in trade protectionism,” the briefing states.

“If Trump returns to office with a Republican majority in the Senate, the long-delayed US Farm Bill is expected to pass, bringing needed stability to US farmers. The current Farm Bill, which expired over a year ago and has an emergency extension until the end of 2024 is a comprehensive legislation that supports food and agriculture policy in the US. The Republican Ag Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson has prioritised passing this bill, especially amid rising costs and declining crop prices.

“The passage of a new Farm Bill will be welcomed by US farmers who are facing declining prices for many crops and rising costs for fertiliser and other inputs. Nearly 300 members of the National Farmers Union visited lawmakers in September to ask for passage of a new five-year farm bill before the end of 2024.

“For Australian grain growers, this could mean intensified competition, particularly if US subsidies enable lower production costs.

“Trump’s second term in office may signal a reversal of existing US climate initiatives. Known for his scepticism toward climate change, Trump has previously pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Accords and rolled back over 100 climate-related regulations. A Trump administration would likely deprioritize climate change, emphasizing fossil fuel expansion and deregulation.

“This reversal could impact global sustainability efforts, potentially affecting initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture. While this shift might create opportunities for Australian grain in markets that prioritise sustainable production, it may also undermine global progress on environmental sustainability, placing further pressures on the agricultural sector worldwide.”

As the briefing note states: “The industry will be talking about Trump a lot over the next four years, as his policies will greatly impact what happens throughout all markets.

“He isn’t in the Whitehouse yet, but he is already making waves.”

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Acommon view is “my accountant can access my books online when needed.Thereis no need to catch up”. However numbers only tell asmall part of the story.Much canbegleaned (ie. risk profile, stakeholder dynamics, intentions, concer ns, sentiment) from abrief meeting that will eventually influence the numbers. This is especially sofor family and/or growing businesses.

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DEAL IS OFF Viterra withdraws from Grainflow acquisition

Viterra will no longer proceed with its planned acquisition of South Australian GrainFlow handling and storage sites and a mobile ship loader from Cargill, after initially touting the benefits to growers when announced in September.

Both Viterra and Cargill formally withdrew their joint application from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in December, effectively bringing an end to the proposed deal.

The acquisition would have seen Viterra take control of five key Cargill GrainFlow sites across South Australia and western Victoria - located in Maitland, Crystal Brook, Mallala, Pinnaroo, and Dimboola. In addition to these storage and handling facilities, the deal included a mobile ship loader positioned at Port Adelaide, an important asset for South Australia’s grain export operations.

In announcing the termination of the transaction, Viterra reiterated its commitment to supporting growers in South Australia and western Victoria by fostering greater competition and improving access to export markets.

In a statement, Viterra highlighted its ongoing focus on increasing competition for growers in these regions, saying in an update to growers: “We are continuing to look at opportunities to enhance the SA supply chain through improving efficiencies and enhancing service levels for customers”.

Although the acquisition will not go ahead, Viterra underscored that Cargill would remain a key player in South Australia’s grain export market. Cargill is set to continue purchasing grain through Viterra’s extensive network, with plans to increase its export volumes.

DEAL OFF: Viterra has withdrawn from its acquisition of South Australian GrainFlow sites, including at Mallala. Source: GrainFlow.

Viterra also pointed out that competition within its network has been growing, citing a significant increase in the number of exporters purchasing grain within the past five years. This growing competition, Viterra noted, has already benefited growers by offering more options and opportunities for grain sales.

The company also stressed the importance of efficiency in the South Australian grain supply chain, which is facing increasing competition from international markets. Viterra pointed to rivals in regions such as the Black Sea, Canada, the United States, and South America, which continue to invest heavily in improving their supply chain infrastructure and efficiencies. As Viterra explained: “Buyers choose supply chains that are efficient, flexible, and have strong quality management, high-performing assets, and competitively priced services.”

Grain Producers SA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said he was informed by Viterra of the withdrawal but was not privy to any further details.

“GPSA participated in the ACCC’s public consultation on the proposed acquisition and offered a balanced perspective on the opportunities and concerns raised with us by members,” he said.

“Some grain producers raised feedback about the need for investment in the facilities at the GrainFlow sites and others flagged potential competition impacts of the proposed acquisition.”

T-Ports Chief Executive Officer Nathan Kent raised concerns with the ACCC, stating that “a return to the Viterra monopoly will be bad for competition and bad for growers, families and communities across the Yorke and Eyre peninsulas”.

Biosecurity detector dogs working hard to help find grain pest snail

LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS

South Australian grain producers have spent almost $1.7 million in the fight to eradicate a Mediterranean grain pest found for the first time in Australia at the Port Adelaide container terminal in 2018. The fight to eradicate lens snail continues.

Lens snail (Caracollina lenticula) has been under quarantine in a small area of the Port Adelaide Container Terminal where Biosecurity SA continues to eradicate the pest.

WHAT’S A LENS SNAIL?

South Australian Grain Biosecurity Officer Jordan Scott said lens snail is suited to dry habitats and is widely distributed across the Mediterranean region.

“Lens snails are found around human habitation as they can spread via movement of goods and machinery,” he said.

“Lens snail aestivate (summer hibernation during dry conditions) and will emerge when conditions are ideal (generally after rain events) for feeding and breeding.

“It likely found its way into South Australia on a storage container from a container ship. It likely existed in small numbers for a while prior to detection since DAFF border surveillance picked up their presence in late 2018.

“It is suited to dry habitats under rocks, on walls, between plants, under wood and in soil substrate, or in rocky areas. These attributes would indicate that it could thrive in our southern Australian Mediterranean, calcareous soil grain cropping regions and be readily transported from farm-to-farm and district-to-district.

QUARANTINE: The Mediterranean grain pest - lens snail - is being eradicated from Port Adelaide.

“Of particular concern is its similarity in size and shape to a lentil, which makes it difficult to screen out of a load of lentils.”

GROWERS STEP IN TO FUND ERADICATION

Following the discovery of the lens snail for the first time in Australia in 2018, the State Government sought nationally funded support to eradicate it. The lens snail discovery was not approved by the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) for nationally cost shared eradication.

Grain Producers SA Chair John Gladigau said the national decision at the time was disappointing, leaving GPSA with no other choice.

“GPSA sought a review of the decision made by the CCEPP and strongly

supported eradication of lens snail, largely due to not knowing what impact this pest could have on our grain crops,” he said.

The appeal was rejected by CCEPP based on a lack of new evidence or information presented on the potential impact.

“GPSA strongly advocated to eradicate lens snail and after exercising all other avenues for funding, including governments, we were forced to fund it through a one-off increase of $0.11 per tonne to the producer voluntary contribution into the Primary Industry Funding Scheme (PIFS) Grain Industry Fund,” Mr Gladigau said.

At the time of proposing the one-off increase in 2018, which has now been fully paid and the contribution ceased, then Chair Adrian McCabe wrote to

members stating: “Lens snail has been detected and contained in metropolitan Adelaide, and we have a unique opportunity to eradicate this snail to protect our industry. To undertake an eradication program, followed by monitoring for two years to demonstrate the success of the program, a temporary lift of 11 cents per tonne in the Grain Industry Fund (GIF) contribution rate is proposed for two years based on average seasonal conditions”.

The then Chair then went on to say: “lens snail was detected in the Adelaide metropolitan area by Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) officials during routine border surveillance. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has since conducted additional surveillance and detected the snail at three neighbouring businesses. DAWE and PIRSA have placed these four sites under strict biosecurity orders, preventing any entry or movement of material and vehicles from the properties that may harbour lens snails, effectively containing lens snail to the known locations.”

STRONG HITCHHIKER

Mr Scott said lens snail appear to be strong hitchhikers, hence the importance of eradicating the pest from the current port-based site.

“Through its climbing aestivation behaviour, it has similar potential to the other existing exotic snail pests of Australian grains to infest harvested grain and be a major market access threat,” he said.

“The species is a generalist feeder and can damage a wide range of crops. If populations become large enough it will likely have impacts on agricultural productivity especially in moist or irrigated environments. However, this snail also has the ability to survive in very dry conditions as snails of this species form an epiphragm across the opening of their shell to prevent dehydration. The epiphragm is formed of mucus and calcareous secretions and means that even if a snail is dislodged from its aestivation

site during dry conditions, it will still be able to retain moisture and hence, likely survive for many months.

“Lab tests conducted by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in 2019 found that these snails need to be subjected to temperatures in the range of 60°C for at least one hour to be successfully destroyed, further showing their ability to survive in challenging environments.”

RELEASE THE HOUNDS

One of the key tools in the lens snail eradication is the biosecurity detector dogs, which have been deployed for several years at the quarantine site.

“Utilisation of detector dogs is key to finding the last few remaining snails which is what is currently happening now, ensuring total eradication at the completion of the project.,” Mr Scott said.

“Detector dogs are employed to ensure effective surveillance and support proof of freedom.”

Jordan Scott, SA Grains Biosecurity Officer

“These specially trained dogs have a great sense of smell, allowing them to detect snails hidden in areas that other surveillance methods may miss such as under debris, in cracks, or within plant material.

“Their ability to pinpoint even small remnant populations is particularly valuable in eradication programs, where finding and removing every snail is essential to prevent re-establishment.”

It is important to note that the lens snail is fully contained within the quarantine areas at Port Adelaide Container Terminal and has been since its discovery in 2018.

(ABOVE) Biosecurity detector dogs are being used at the eradication site to find any unsuspecting snails and (BELOW) the lens snail are the size of a lentil, making them hard to see with the human eye.

Stage show ‘Kick off ya Boots’ aims to address farmer mental health and wellbeing

LEAVE YOUR TROUBLES AT THE DOOR

In the middle of drought and heavy water restrictions in 2009, Loxton grain producer John Gladigau was asked to pull together an event to bring the community together to celebrate the agriculture industry.

While the night was a resounding success, it wasn’t until the struggles of COVID-19 that John created the award-winning stage show – Kick Off Ya Boots and the rest as they say…is history.

We all like to portray our farming businesses as strong and sustainable – but we are scared that if someone pulled back the curtain, they would see the real story which isn’t so pretty. What I hope people take away is that we all have a curtain we don’t want people

to see behind, and that is okay. We are more the same than we are different.

And in understanding that we all face similar issues, I hope they use it as an opportunity to have conversations they might not have previously felt comfortable having.”

Pulling back the curtain is an apt way to describe it. Farmer and play write,

John Gladigau, literally pulled back the curtain last year on the latest version of his play ‘Kick Off Ya Boots’ to more than a thousand people who attended his shows over a week in 2024. There was laughter, tears and dancing. Audiences resonated with the scenes in the show and for many grain producers in the room, it was a little too close to home truths.

“There are different parts which affect people in different ways,” John explains.

“There is a very moving scene between mother and daughter, where the mother feels they as parents have let their daughter down by not encouraging her to pursue a career on the family farm. This results in heartfelt moments

ENTERTAIN: The award winning ‘Kick Off Ya Boots’ stage show being performed in Loxton in 2024

as the daughter speaks of how her mum has shaped every part of her life to make her the person she now is.

“Another scene has farmer Harry opening up to friend Vicki about the thoughts and demons which plague his mind making him feel worthless, and she leads him to a place where he can see his thoughts clearly, puts them

into perspective and not let them bully his life.

“The concept of ‘thoughts are just like bullies – acknowledge them and set them free’ - is quite profound and has been very helpful to me in my life.”

ACTING: The production’s main characters are Jack and Jenna Conner, with Jack played by John Gladigau.

THE LONG ROAD – BOOTS AND ALL

The love of play writing began in 1999 for John as part of a group called ‘Little Town Productions’, which has been creating Christmas and Easter shows at Loxton, in the Riverland, ever since, with over 125 performances seen by approximately 40,000 people.

“In 2009 our district was in drought and water restrictions, and I was approached by a community leader who asked if I would put together a night of fun and celebration of ag to take people’s mind off the current situation,” John says.

“Using my ‘Little Town’ team, I created a dinner event we called “If farmers ruled the world”. There were quizzes, skits, video links to doctors and police interviewing them on the premise that farmers now made the rules. We had a house band playing parody songs (for example, Rod Stewart’s ‘I am sailing’ became ‘I am spraying’). On each table were the farmers tools of gaffer tape, fencing wire, cable ties and baling twine and people were tasked with making the best item from these. There were about 250 people there,

and to this day I still look back on it as being one of the best nights I have ever been associated with. Everyone forgot their troubles for a night, laughed, sang, ate, drank and talked – and for years after people kept asking when we would do it again”

John continued doing Christmas productions every second year, but in 2021, the restrictions from COVID-19 meant it was not possible.

“Ihavealwaysbeena strongbelieverinthe beliefthathumour heightensemotion.”

JohnGladigau, GPSAChair

“Under the rules of the time, we were able to do an event where people could sit down and eat and watch a show,” he says.

“I had become more involved in the mental health and wellbeing space, so for me this was the opportunity to do something innovative and new

And people were going stir crazy with COVID and hanging out to get together with people again.

“So, I pulled my ‘Little Town’ team together and suggested a dinner theatre production promoting wellbeing messaging for farmers, and they jumped at it. I sat down and wrote a script and a heap of parody songs, hunted down the people I wanted to be in the cast, pulled together a band and a support team – and we were off. At the same time, I met Associate Professor Kate Gunn from Ifarmwell for the first time, and we worked together to ensure we had the messaging and language correct so it would have impact.”

KOYB IS BORN

With support from Ifarmwell, John created the very first ‘Kick Off Ya Boots’ to sold out audiences in 2021. After writing the play, organising the cast, music and everything else in between, John never envisaged having to be the star of his own show.

“Originally, I had no intention of being in the first KOYB production in 2021 and had a really great performer lined up to play the leading role of Jack.

(ABOVE) The Conner’s daughter struggles to be accepted on the farm and (BELOW) Fat Farmers gets a mention in the KOYB stage show.

But due to a change of circumstances, that person had to pull out about 10 weeks prior to the show, causing some considerable stress as we tried to find a replacement,” he says.

“My cast ultimately took me aside and insisted I take on the main role, which led me to asking my then 19-year-old daughter Aimee to direct the show as she was on a gap year before university. She did an amazing job with it and is one of the reasons for the success of the show.

“Writing is my real passion. I love nothing more than having a blank sheet of paper and seeing where is ends up.

“When you start off with a blank sheet of paper and write something from scratch, it is always an unknown how people are going to respond to what you write. You aren’t sure if they are going to laugh at some jokes you intend to be funny, and then they sometimes laugh at things you don’t intend them to. And there are some things which you are not sure if they are going to work, or a topic which could be too sensitive.

“To make it harder, I am not always sure what is going to happen in the play until I write it. Much of it is about trying to get into the head of the characters and trying to work out how they would respond in any given situation. As such, when I started writing the final scene, I was still unsure how it was actually going to end.”

So where did the name for the show come from?

“The name actually came as a suggestion from one of our cast members,

and is meant to symbolise kicking off your boots and leaving your troubles at the door for a short time, while having a great time kicking your heels up with friends, neighbours and the community celebrating why we do what we do, and the communities in which we live,” John says.

“The symbolism extends to the notion that you sometimes need to step away from your current situation in order to look at it from a different perspective.”

For the show’s content, John drew from life on the land as a farmer and many other community roles he has played.

POPULAR: The Kick Off Ya Boots stage show performed to sold out audiences during its most recent showing.

“My family would say that there is a lot of life imitating art in KOYB from my perspective – right down to not wanting to put up Christmas lights on our new place in town,” he laughs.

“To be honest, I think one of the reasons that KOYB has resonated is that it has actually been written by a farmer for farmers. So, most people can see themselves in the shoes of one or more of the characters. Personally, I have been through too many droughts, experienced financial struggles, seen horrible succession stories and more. And there are a lot of subtleties that only farmers pick up on, such as tuning into the ABC Country Hour each day at noon, trying to find a good fleece to put in the local show, and always dropping into the bakery when on a parts run!”

John plays Jack, the lead farmer role in the show, which puts him in the best position to receive direct feedback.

“It really is such a buzz being on stage, knowing you have the crowd engaged and wanting to part of the experience,” he says.

“I especially love it when you can easily pick out the farmer tables in the

room as they laugh at things which goes straight over the rest of the audiences’ heads – the little farming ‘in’ jokes which no one else understands.

“I am quite unapologetic about having lines and jokes that only farmers understand, as this play is written for them. As none of the rest of the main cast are farmers, I quite often get quizzed after a show about ‘why did they laugh at that?’, and I need to give an explanation.

“And farmers can be hard judges. In one show one of the characters accidently said ‘coleoptiles in wheat heads’ instead of wheat plants, and I got pulled aside by a farmer audience member later to point out the inaccuracy!”

THE PLOT THICKENS

‘Kick Off Ya Boots’ is a dinner theatre production that delves into the lives of the Conner family, a typical farming household in rural Australia.

The play addresses critical issues such as succession planning, drought, financial pressures, and family communication—topics often unspoken within farming communities. Through

a blend of humour, music, and candid dialogue, it encourages audiences to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of rural life.

A key message for the show centres around mental health and wellbeing, hence the partnership with Ifarmwell, of which John now works for, in addition to his role as Chair of Grain Producers SA.

“The need to normalise conversations around mental health and wellbeing, succession and financial struggles within farming families is at the core of the play,” he says.

“Having Kate Gunn from Ifarmwell and other members of her team involved in ensuring the language and messaging is right has been invaluable. Ifarmwell prides itself on being created by farmers, for farmers – and the characters in the play, their sometimes ‘head in the sand’ approach, and their ensuring conversations with family members and neighbours reflect the best and worst of us as a farming society.

“In the very first conversation I had with Kate Gunn she said to me that it has been proven that the best ways

to engage with farmers is through humour, quality music and good food. And that is what we effectively do. We make people laugh and tap their toes, while we fill their stomachs with good food – and in the middle of all that we hit them with some hard truths to take home and reflect on.

“I have always been a strong believer in the belief that humour heightens emotion. With humour you can build trust and take people on a journey through which you can ultimately challenge thoughts and inspire change.”

There were even several mentions of Grain Producers SA in the 2024 version of ‘Kick Off Ya Boots’, with John providing perspective from his role as Chair.

“There are a few references to GPSA, but more so to issues which grain growers in South Australia are dealing with every day. Availability of mouse bait and glyphosate, ISCC declarations, the Harvest 100 playlist and the ever-popular GPSA Grain Producer magazine all get a run.”

FARMER FEEDBACK RULES THE ROOST

John says at every show he’s been overwhelmed by the many people in the audience sharing stories that relate to segments in the show.

“Every cast and team member has their own experiences of people sharing their own stories. The most common is ‘this is my story’, or ‘how did you know what happened in my family’ or ‘I always thought it was only us’,” he says.

“The other most common response is that people come forward saying that they feel they were a certain character, such as the son Charlie, who is the first son and heir but may not have been encouraged to explore any other option other than taking over the family farm.

“Or they feel they were the daughter Zoey, because they were the daughter, or the second or third son – and they were never encouraged or even given the option of considering a future involving the farm.

“Or the mum, who felt like she brought the kids up alone, and had to be dad and mum, the good cop and the bad cop – because their farmer husband was never home and always working thinking he was creating the legacy his family craved.

“Another unique aspect of this year’s production was the ‘Conversation Starter Cards’, which were specially developed by Ifarmwell and KOYB for the shows – with packs given out to all those who attended. There have been so many stories since of couples and families who have been using the cards while driving, on holidays, over Sunday lunch or as ice breakers for meetings – and have found them to be both beneficial and rewarding.”

IFARMWELL PARTNERSHIP INSPIRES

Ifarmwell founder Kate Gunn has been deeply involved in the ‘Kick Off Ya Boots’ production for more than four years and says it is critical that the message being put out to the public can help, not hinder.

“I have worked with John and the team to ensure the mental health messaging is appropriate, clear, reinforced

in the play and in written form the program, and that people leave the play with one clear actionable thing they can do to help themselves,” she says.

“We also then follow up audience members with text messages to remind them about what they promised themselves they would do, and then we check in to see if they did it.

“From the beginning, I was really impressed that John didn’t want the play to just be what he called a ‘sugar hit’. He has been committed to ensuring meaningful change comes from the

play, and I have loved being able to work with him to integrate behaviour change science into the design of the production, to help ensure this happens.

“The latest KOYB has a lot of messaging taken from the ifarmwell relationships module. If people are interested, it is a free resource that takes about 30-60 mins to work through and is designed to help give farming couples practical strategies to strengthen one of their most important assets- that is their relationships with each other.”

WHERE TO NEXT FOR KOYB?

Next steps for the show are less clear but reaching as many people as possible continues to be the goal.

“We had the production professionally filmed this year and are blown away with the final result. Our plan is to premiere the film in the Riverland and then tour the film across regional SA in March and April 2025 in a series of mini KOYB events,” John says.

ifarmwell.com.au is a practical online tool kit to help Australian farmers manage life’s challenges effectively and get the most out of every day. Sign up to the free internet and text message based program at:

“These are being sponsored by the SA Drought Hub and Ski for Life, and if these events are well supported there may be the possibility to take it further afield. We have also had enquiries about having the film available to be shown to farmer groups in North America, with also the possibility of them creating their own adapted version to be performed locally.

“One of the offshoots of KOYB has been a series of short videos created for Ifarmwell called ‘Kalmya Farm’ featuring some of the characters from KOYB.

“As far as the live play goes, we are taking a well-earned year off in 2025, but there is always a possibility the Conners will return for a new KOYB installment at some time after that.”

CHAT: A coffee at the local cafe is often part of the daily routine for farmers and is depicted during KOYB.

GRAIN PRODUCERS DEMAND ACTION ON RIGHT TO REPAIR

PUSH: Advocacy groups are pushing for agriculture to be included in Right to Repair legislation.

The Federal Government’s renewed focus on Right to Repair legislation has reignited hopes among Australian farmers for greater control over the maintenance and repair of their agricultural machinery.

For farmers, the inability to repair their own machinery or access local, affordable repair services without voiding warranty can result in significant productivity losses.

Right-to-repair has been a much-discussed topic in the agricultural space for many years and was further highlighted by a recent agreement between the American Farm Bureau Federation and the United States division of John Deere, allowing US farmers to fix their own machinery.

Yorke Peninsula grain producer and Grain Producers Australia Board Director Mark Schilling has been a strong

advocate for the right-to-repair in agriculture and said it would avoid holdups in busy times, such as harvest and seeding.

GPA Southern Grower Director, Andrew Weidemann, outlined the importance of changes to current laws at the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia conference in Melbourne, in July 2022.

“You’ve got to remember that we are running big investments, million-dollar headers on large-scale properties now ... and so you’ve got to have the ability to be able to access that machine and fix it”, he said.

National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) former Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar highlighted the urgency of the issue leading to an internal taskforce being set-up aiming for manufacturers and farmers to work constructively on a right to repair framework for farm machinery.

“What we need is greater flexibility for farmers to repair their equipment like what other countries have achieved for their farm sector. We haven’t been able to land any such arrangements so far,” Mr Mahar said.

“Farmers across Australia know all too well the cost of equipment downtime. When machinery is out of action

during harvest, it costs time and money.

“We’ve been pursuing the right to repair to give farmers greater flexibility to use a suitably qualified repairer of their choice without fear of voiding warranties and travelling long distances – or waiting excessive periods – to access supplier repairers.”

Mr Mahar noted that Australia risks falling behind competitors like Canada and Colorado in the United States, where right-to-repair laws have already been implemented for agricultural equipment.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES

The push for right-to-repair reform has broad industry support, according to Grain Growers (GGL).

GGL Chief Executive Officer Shona Gawel emphasised how restrictive repair rules not only limit farmers’ choices but also hinder economic opportunities in rural areas.

“When agricultural machinery breaks down, it’s more than an inconvenience – it’s a significant financial loss for growers,” she said.

“Currently, restrictive repair rules limit growers’ choices, making them feel less like owners of their machinery and more like renters. This can delay critical repairs, impacting productivity and profitability.

“With the accessibility and cost of parts and labour in the agricultural machinery space seeing little improvement in recent years, it is essential that the sector keeps pushing this agenda forward.”

The Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia (TMA) has joined the call for action, highlighting the alignment within the agricultural machinery sector to support farmers.

TMA Executive Director Gary Northover noted: “The Treasurer’s announcement provides the opportunity for industry to continue working together with Federal and State governments to deliver stronger outcomes for agricul-

tural productivity by securing rightto-repair for farmers that protects incomes, improves productivity and ensures safe operation of agricultural equipment.”

However, Northover also pointed to workforce shortages as a critical barrier to implementing effective measures.

“We know, for example, that dealers across our network are looking for skilled workers to do the jobs that can advance capacity to support our farmers and we’ve seen statistics that show that at any one time almost 100 per cent of dealers can be advertising for workers, with often low applicant numbers and fill rates less than 50 per cent,” he said.

“It is essential that efforts to improve productivity also focus on the issue of a skilled workforce and we now look forward to working with governments, farmers and industry to achieve much-needed benefits for farmers from these new productivity reforms.”

BROADACRE RESIDUE MULCHING

“By Aussie Farmers, For Aussie Farmers”

DEMAND FOR MACHINERY PARTS GROWS

Renowned South Australian family run machinery business, Ramsey Bros, has seen stock and demand continue to rise. Group Operations Manager Lincoln Ramsey provides insight into the current situation in South Australia.

Q: From your point of view, what efforts are being made by machinery dealers like yours to access spare parts for grain producers?

LR: Inventory Levels: Have significantly increased since pre-COVID (2020), in some cases more than 40 per cent. Most of this has been in response to supply chain issues that thankfully seem to have normalised in the past 12 months.

Centralised Stock: Manufacturers have also been more proactive in working with dealers by locating high value low volume parts such as engines and larger hard to freight components into centralised ‘Hub Stock’ locations. This becomes a local source of usually hard to get parts readily available to the dealer network.

Having the right stock: Increasing inventory levels is one thing but ensuring we have the right stock on hand is the key. Most successful dealers have proactive systems and internal programs in place to review seasonal parts usage and future requirements to ensure we pick-up on trends or emerging issues.

Being proactive: Although we cannot have everything on the shelf, our Parts Team are dedicated to sourcing parts for breakdowns, amongst the CNH network we have visibility across all CNH dealers. This has huge value during peak times like seeding and harvest, as we all work well together to ensure customer up time is the priority. Freight at times can be a frustration for us all, but the key here is communication and setting realistic expectations of both ETAs into the dealership and costs associated.

Options: If there is one thing, we had to get good at during recent parts shortages, it’s looking for alternative options. Genuine parts have undoubtably got advantages such as quality control, premium warranty and guaranteed engineering compatibility with your machine, but this said we have always had access to, and have recently found, some great aftermarket alternatives that have supplemented our ability to supply.

Staff, Skills and Training: We are committed to the ongoing skill development and training of our team, and work to ensure we have the right people with the right skills to support farmers when they need. We have an

agile workforce to help farmers when and where they need.

Q: Have you seen the demand for machinery parts grow in recent years and if so, why?

LR: Absolutely.

Machine Park: Machine sales up until the start of 2023 have been at historical highs, this simply means we are serving and supporting more machines in the field and although with new machinery comes better reliability, when it comes to machines such as harvesters, balers and seeding equipment they are high wearing, and they all need parts.

Crop Type: We have seen a significant shift in recent times across South Australia to Legumes such as Lentils. Taking harvesters as again as the example, the nature of reaping these low to the ground crops has also seen increased wear and damage.

Toilet Paper Effect: Although we are very much post-COVID and supply is back to normal (whatever that is) we have seen a shift in buying habits. As a dealer, since 2020 our stocking level increased significantly to try and protect our customers from global shortages.

Pre-COVID customers were more inclined to buy on an as-need basis but now are more likely to buy two or three and keep some on the shelf at home. We encourage this! It allows us to place larger orders, maximise our margins and pass on advantages such as upfront discounts and freight free bonus to the customer.

Q: What tips do you have for grain producers who are needing to get spare machinery parts during harvest and seeding?

LR: Participate in pre-season service programs. These programs are designed to not only ensure your machines are properly inspected and repaired but to offer the maximum lead times for purchasing parts and therefore pass on the maximum discounts to the customer. All dealers offer alternative programs across a variety of machine types. Take the time to talk to your dealer about what’s involved and savings available.

Communicate, work together. This is something we can all be better at! When ordering parts make sure you talk to the dealership about urgency, the longer the lead time the cheaper it will be. Usually anything is possible

as far as supply goes, but the associated costs can be high, take the time to understand and discuss your options, transparency is the key. This is when non genuine can also be an alternative.

Be prepared. The more information you can provide on your machine to the parts team at the point of order, the better. If you have purchased your machine from the dealership, you should expect a level of understanding and knowledge to be held on file but that is not always the case. Information like Make, Model, Serial number and even part numbers if visible are all very helpful to ensure quick turn around and getting the right part.

Q: At Ramsey Bros, how have you seen the rebound of machinery sales from COVID when waiting times for orders were long?

LR: All Dealer groups in Australia have seen a complete 180 when comparing to a few years ago. Essentially what was no supply and high demand has flipped to high supply and lower demand. Contributing factors such as the removal of the instant tax write off, all factories coming back online to full production, orders placed up to two

or three years ago now being supplied, higher interest rates and the fact that many have already updated plant over the past few years have all contributed.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

LR: There is very much a good news story in South Australia for our customers and that is that most dealer groups regardless of colour are family owned and often still family run business. This means these businesses have a genuine vested interest in their people, the communities and ultimately the customers we serve. Delivering the right parts, service and sales outcomes for our clients is more than a job or a tick and flick, it runs generations deep and means something to the people providing the service. As goes with any business relationship, providing respectful, constructive feedback is valued, if we don’t know we can’t fix it.

Do we get it right every time, of course not, but I truly believe we all go to work with the genuine intent of not just maintaining but always looking at ways to keep both ours and our customers business viable today and for generations to come.

Spray drift: Protecting crops, neighbours, and your business

By Anthony Kelly, Mellor Olsson Lawyers

As a landowner or farmer, you have a legal obligation to ensure your actions don’t interfere with your neighbours’ property or cause damage to their land, structures, or crops.

This principle is grounded in legal concepts like nuisance and negligence and, in many cases, is reinforced by specific legislation. One such issue that continues to pose challenges in agricultural communities is spray drift.

Spray drift occurs when agricultural chemicals, such as herbicides or pesticides, travel beyond their intended target, potentially damaging neighbouring crops, plants, or animals.

Under the Agricultural and Veterinary Products (Control of Use) Act 2002, farmers and applicators are required to take all reasonable and practicable measures to minimise or prevent contamination that isn’t trivial. Failing to do so can result in significant financial and legal consequences.

CASE STUDY

A case in Victoria, ‘Butler Market Gardens Pty Ltd v GG and PM Burrell Pty Ltd’, demonstrates the risks of failing to manage spray drift.

In this case, herbicide spray drift caused damage to a spring onion crop. The court found that the neighbour had not taken reasonable precautions to avoid this damage, resulting in over $1 million in damages, $375,000 in

consequential loss, and additional legal costs.

The court considered several factors when determining liability, including:

• Whether the crop was already damaged before the spraying occurred.

• Weather conditions at the time of spraying and whether they contributed to the drift.

• Evidence showing the crop was damaged due to spray drift.

• Whether the neighbour had taken adequate precautions to avoid the risk.

This case underscores the importance of being proactive when managing chemical applications.

BEST PRACTICES FOR SPRAY DRIFT PREVENTION

To safeguard your crops, protect your neighbours’ properties, and avoid legal repercussions, you should consider the following:

1. Monitoring weather conditions:

Avoid spraying in high winds, extreme heat, or other conditions that increase the likelihood of drift.

2. Invest in proper equipment:

Use well-maintained spraying equipment designed to minimise

drift, such as low-drift nozzles.

3. Keep detailed records:

Document every spraying event, including weather conditions, products used, application methods, and the precautions taken. This record can be invaluable if disputes arise, to show that you did take all reasonable and practical measures to avoid spray drift.

4. Engage with neighbours:

Maintain good communication with neighbouring property owners. Avoiding conflicts from the start is always helpful and may be possible by discussing planned spraying activities.

WHY IT MATTERS IN 2024

As the agricultural industry faces increasing scrutiny over environmental impacts and sustainable practices, compliance with spray drift regulations is more important than ever.

Beyond financial risks, failing to manage spray drift can damage relationships within your community and harm your farm’s reputation.

By taking a proactive approach and adhering to best practices, grain producers can ensure their operations remain sustainable, compliant, and neighbour-friendly.

With the right measures in place, you can protect your crops, your neighbours, and your bottom line.

Quick Questions

Southern Mallee grain producer Brad Moyle farms in one of the more marginal cropping regions in South Australia with his wife and five children. He’s been farming for 30 years, just like his parents and their parents before them. We were able to catch up with him while he was waiting for the lights on the header to come on in the middle of harvest!

Name: Brad Moyle

Farm location: Gurrai

Grows: Wheat, Barley, Lupins and Lentils

How long have you been a grain producer and how did you choose this as a career pathway?

I’ve been a grain producer for 30 years. My parents and grandparents were farmers before me and I love the lifestyle and challenges that get thrown at us.

What’s the most rewarding part about being a grain producer?

Growing a consistent and good yielding crop.

How do you unwind after a busy season?

I like to take some time away from the farm and spend time with my wife and kids and catch up with friends.

What’s the one piece of equipment you couldn’t live without on your farm?

GPS auto-steer in the tractor, header and sprayer.

If you weren’t farming, what would you be doing?

I would probably work for another farm organisation somewhere.

What’s your pick for a header? Red, Green, Yellow or another colour?

My header colour is green.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the grain industry today?

The biggest challenge as I see it is the amount of restrictions being put on us by government and markets overseas, as well as our own government.

What is the most important piece of advice you’d give to a young grain producer starting out?

The most important thing is to keep learning from others in the industry and always have an open mind about the way things are done.

FAMILY: Brad with wife Liz and children, Tim, Matt, Sam, Izzy and Rachel.

What’s the worst task that needs to be done on your farm during harvest?

Being the chaser bin driver during a poor yielding year.

What song is currently on repeat on your playlist?

‘It Ain’t My Fault’ by Brothers Osborne.

What’s your go-to lunch option during harvest?

Lunch is usually two sandwiches, apple or banana, some biscuits, birthday cake (if there’s any left) and a nut bar.

What’s one item on your bucket list and if you don’t have one, what would be the first item on it if you created it today?

On my bucket list would be a trip to Canada to see some farms and other historical places.

Favourite podcast?

The podcasts I listen to are ‘Profitable Farmer’ and ‘Weed Smart’.

Where is your go-to travel destination after harvest?

Anywhere off-farm. I don’t really have one particular place.

Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd

March 2025

Retired teacher finds joy into putting South Australian grain farms on canvas

FIELDS OF GO LD

After a tough day harvesting, South Australian grain producers will often admire the setting sun in the distance or the clouds rolling over the farm. Some will take a photo, while others will breathe in the moment. For retired teacher Peter Wallfried, he gets out his paintbrush and brings that stunning image to life on canvas.

Quite often you’ll find Peter Wallfried sitting out by the fence of a South Australian grain farm with his easel out and paint brush in hand.

“I like the old wire fences, the gnarly fence posts, the sheds, the old shed in the back paddock with grandpa’s old truck, the amazing modern ma-

chinery, the patterns left in fields after harvest, the dogs, the shearing sheds and shearers, the small country towns with the institute buildings and rundown shops, the people, the fields of grain waving in the wind, the colours of canola, wheat, the vibrant greens in winter and the browns in summer, the lizards, snakes, birds and ‘roos,” he says.

“They all make great paintings and add that bit extra compared to a landscape. It’s the way people have managed and changed the land (that inspires me).”

THE JOURNEY TO PAINTING

Peter grew up in the suburbs of Adelaide and following high school, realised he had a passion for art, enrolling in the South Australian School of Art

in North Adelaide. After 12 months, Peter’s parents convinced him he needed a more financially sustainable career, so he transferred to an art teaching course. As most teachers do, Peter’s first job in his career took him to the country. At 20 years old in 1973, Peter found himself at Geranium Area School for a compulsory three-year stint after Teacher’s College.

“As a city kid and teenager, it was a bit of culture shock going to a very small country town, and I admit I hated it (at first),” he says.

“But I rented a house and woke up every morning to the sounds of birds and for me, amazing views of paddocks, sheep, and all the stuff you see in the country.

“I really didn’t appreciate it until much later in life when I started my own artwork and painted landscapes, when the interest in farms and all the visual opportunities returned.”

Peter Wallfried

Following a 35-year teaching career, upon retirement Peter found great inspiration in painting farms, arguably from his initial post in Geranium.

“The interest in art was there, but I never really started doing my own work until I retired,” he says.

“I used to ride around the countryside on my trail bike with a sketchbook and stuff and would stop at a scene I liked and draw it. That evolved to a car with more art stuff, which led to painting and a few exhibitions.

“I like to work on themes, so if an exhibition has 20 to 25 paintings, they are all connected somehow, like paddle boats on the Murray, harvesting the crop, towns along Goyder’s Line, and so on.

“The farm thing really jumped into gear with the Goyder’s Line exhibition, when I met quite a few farmers who invited me to their farms to watch the harvesting, or the shearing and so on.”

(LEFT) Artist Peter Wallfried painted the abundant crop a year after the Pinery bushfires with scars of the past remaining. (ABOVE) Peter’s painting of patterns in the field near Eudunda.

CONVERSATIONS WITH FARMERS

In his travels, Peter will often speak to farmers about what interests them and that leads to him picking up the brush and an exhibition in South Australia’s regions.

“I sold a painting of some tractors on the beach at Hardwicke Bay to a lady who came from near Ardrossan,” he says.

“She mentioned some old tractors on the farm and invited me to have a look if I was ever down that way. Anyway, I went to their farm in harvest time and took lots of photos and started some paintings from them.

“I mentioned I was interested in the Goyder’s Line idea, and they had friends and relatives up Orroroo and Pekina way, so I got in touch with them and spent a few days up that way.

“When I stop to take photos there is usually a curious landowner who comes and chats and next thing, I’m on another farm taking pics of old Sunshine harvesters or Dodge trucks.

“Doing the Goyder’s Line series made me aware of present dry land farming when I spent a day at Bulla Burra in Loxton.”

STROKES:

(LEFT) Artist Peter Wallfried spent a day at Maitland painting action shots of the grain being harvested. (MIDDLE) Peter titled this one as ‘A Dog and a Deere’. (BELOW) A painting depicting a common sight during harvest, the neighbours having a chat while the header moves through the paddock.

Peter admits that not all farmers are interested in seeing paintings of their own property.

“The wives like them (but) their husbands not so much as it reminds them too much of work,” he says.

“I had some advice when I had a show in Balaklava a few years ago, from an older viewer who said, ‘if you want to sell paintings up here do, some of where we go on holiday, you know, along the Murray and some beaches on Yorke Peninsula.”

CAPTURING COUNTRY LIFE

It’s not just farming that Peter paints but life in country towns and much more.

“Painting farms and farming is just one of my interests in visually capturing country life in South Australia,” he says.

“I have painted a series on Shearers and shearing sheds, the Murray and

PATTERNS: A painting at Wasleys where Peter stood on a ladder to take a photo intrigued by the patterns. He named the painting ‘Patterns of the Plough’.

(ABOVE) The harvest in motion on a farm near Pekina was the inspiration for this painting. (RIGHT) Peter Wallfried with one of his paintings.

its Paddle Steamers, the coastline from Port McDonnell to Port Kenny, the aftermath of the Pinery fires, old churches and buildings and the list goes on.

“At the moment I’m thinking about rodeos and country fairs, so the possibilities are pretty wide.

By appointment: Balaklava, Bordertown, Burra, Ceduna, Cleve, Cummins, Elliston, Kadina, Keith, Kimba, McLaren Vale, Riverton, Streaky Bay and Wudinna.

Award win acknowledges Adelaide Plains grain producers’ as….

LEADING THE WAY ON SUSTAINABILITY

Hamley Bridge grain producers Adrian and Kate McCabe are early adopters when it comes to undertaking sustainability projects to improve their farms and now, they have been formally recognised for their efforts.

The description for Adrian and Kate McCabe’s South Australian Landcare Awards win in the Climate Innovation category reflects their passion and efforts in making a difference for not only their livelihoods but also others.

“(They) led comprehensive sustainability measurement and reporting initiatives, enhancing the farm’s environmental performance. Their collaborative efforts with various stakeholders on biodiversity projects and technological advancements in sustainable practices underscore their commitment to environmental stewardship. Their leadership and innovative approaches have set a benchmark for sustainability in the agricultural sector,” the judges commented.

Kate said they were honoured to receive the award.

“It was a humbling moment that validated years of dedication to sustainability and resilience in farming,” she said.

“It was pleasing to see Grain Producers SA recognising the importance of

sustainability and innovation in climate resilience leading to the nomination.

“It reflects not only the hard work we’ve put into building sustainable farming systems but also the collective progress of the South Australian grains industry.

“It motivates us to continue innovating and underscores the importance of sustainability in agricultural production.”

At times, Kate said it feels like grain producers aren’t as well recognised for their efforts in investing in sustainability measures on-farm.

“It can sometimes feel that way, as we struggle to educate and promote the sustainability of our farming practices. Grain producers are often at the forefront of sustainability challenges and solutions, so it’s gratifying to see these efforts gaining visibility,” she said.

“We do need to find ways of communicating our clean and green credentials as food producers for the world.”

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

The Hamley Bridge locals grew up next to each other on neighbouring farms and today are fifth and fourth genera-

tion growers. Initially Kate had studied finance but was lured back to farming through Adrian. She has since gone on to become one of the state’s go-to experts for advice on sustainability, consulting in partnership with the Australian Farm Institute for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and industry groups focusing on traceability, emissions policy and risk management.

Today they farm the original McCabe property and Kate’s family farm, in collaboration with Adrian’s brother Luke and his wife Judy.

At Hamley Bridge, the McCabes generally grow wheat, canola, lentils and chickpeas, with livestock in the mix. However, their farming portfolio spans larger than just South Australia. Since 2007, they’ve also farmed at Grenfell in New South Wales, where they focus on growing wheat and canola. Additionally, they have invested in irrigation property at Parilla in the Mallee. All three properties have uniquely different weather challenges, particularly rainfall, making sustainability a crucial focus.

“Some key practices we’ve implemented on our properties include zero-till

farming, which conserves soil moisture and improves porosity; the use of chicken manure to reduce synthetic fertiliser reliance; soil testing to ensure optimal nutrient levels and lime requirements; and integrating legumes into crop rotations to lower emissions intensity,” Kate said.

“We also leverage data and technology, such as Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) mapping and soil testing, for precision agriculture.

“We’re particularly proud of our work in improving soil health and water conservation. The results, such as deeper root penetration and increased stored moisture (a bigger bucket), have had a profound impact on productivity and resilience. Our biodiversity projects, including creating nature corridors, is a strong focus for the future.

“One of our favourite sustainability initiatives has been integrating several practices that work together to improve our farm’s efficiency and longterm health. Maintaining stubble cover has been particularly impactful in preserving soil moisture, while focusing on weed control during the summer months helps minimise competition for nutrients.

“We’ve also implemented tram lining/ controlled traffic farming, which has significantly reduced soil compaction and improved overall soil structure. Additionally, we use yield mapping layered alongside soil testing to continuously monitor and improve soil health. For example, this approach has helped us strategically apply lime to correct pH imbalances, leading to better nutrient availability and improved crop performance over time.

“Together, these initiatives have not only enhanced productivity but also strengthened the resilience and sustainability of our farm.”

CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES

Adopting new sustainability practices and leading the way in the South Australian and Australian grain industry has not come without its challenges.

“A major challenge has been balancing new sustainability practices with operational demands,” Kate said.

“For example, implementing a water-conserving fallow required adjustments to our cropping system. By focusing on innovation and collabora-

tion, such as working with researchers and industry partners, we’ve overcome many of these obstacles.

“There are challenges in the verification and reporting of sustainability metrics with industry struggling to provide guidance on what will be required for market access in the future.

“Sustainability and profitability are interconnected. Practices like precision farming and efficient resource use help reduce waste and costs, while enhancing yields.

“For us, it’s about making informed decisions based on data and keeping an eye on both short-term and long-term goals.”

While the challenges loom, the opportunities also provide the McCabes with positivity about what the future holds.

“We’re excited to explore opportunities in sustainability certification, natural capital accounting, and the emerging Nature Repair Market. New technologies in emissions reduction and traceability also hold great promise for the future,” she said.

FOCUS: Hamley Bridge grain producer Adrian McCabe understands the importance of sustainability to his business. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

KIDS: It’s a family affair when it comes to the McCabe’s farm with sons Samuel and Zac on harvest shifts during the 2017 school holidays.

“We focus on transparency and data-driven reporting to align our practices with consumer and market expectations. Initiatives like grain traceability will ensure that our sustainability credentials are robust and credible as the market demands this in the future.”

Investing in on-farm sustainability measures is about more than just meeting government or market requirements for the McCabes.

“Sustainability will be essential for resilience. Practices that improve soil health, water efficiency, and emissions reduction will help grain producers adapt to unpredictable climates while maintaining productivity,” Kate said.

“The realisation that sustainability reduces waste and enhances

efficiency was a significant motivator for us. Insights from experts and observing tangible benefits—such as improved soil health—further strengthened our commitment to this approach.

“Further developing our knowledge of what is happening below the surface is exciting for future grain production.”

Kate McCabe

“Through our broader reading, we noted that ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors were becoming increasingly important for cor-

porates within the supply chain. This sparked our curiosity about how these principles apply to businesses and how they might shape future market demands.

“GPSA Independent Director Professor Wendy Umberger provided invaluable insights, drawing from her expertise at the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Global Food and Resources. Her guidance helped us better understand the potential market access implications of sustainable agriculture.

“Collaboration has been critical. We’ve worked with the Nature Conservation Society, local councils, and industry groups to scope projects like biodiversity corridors.

“Organisations such as GPSA, AgEx Alliance, Landcare and SANTFA have provided many opportunities for training and interactions with other farmers and researchers. These partnerships bring fresh perspectives, resources, and shared learning opportunities.”

INDUSTRY’S ROLE IN SUSTAINABILITY

Kate believes South Australian grain producers are in a strong position to lead the discussion on sustainability.

“Farmers are uniquely positioned to lead conversations about sustainability in agriculture because they experience firsthand the impact of climate variability and market demands,” she said.

“By sharing insights and success stories, we can drive change within the indus-

try and beyond. The South Australian grains industry is uniquely positioned to sustainably produce low emissions grain and contribute to meeting an increasing world food demand.

“Government contributions to bridge research gaps and assist Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) projects are essential. With scope 3 fertiliser emissions being a significant portion of our carbon footprint, government funded research into technologies, such as the local production of green ammonia, are crucial.

“Policy frameworks that incentivise sustainability, such as natural capital accounting or market opportunities for sustainable grains, are important.

“Education and resource sharing can also empower more farmers to take up these practices. Collaboration between the government and supply chain actors to ensure a value proposition is visible and achievable is essential.”

So, what advice would Kate give to South Australian grain producers looking to enhance their sustainability credentials?

“Start small and focus on areas where you can have an immediate impact. For example, soil testing and efficient nutrient use are relatively straightforward changes that can yield significant benefits,” she said.

“Understanding your carbon footprint using freely available tools such as the

University of Melbourne’s G-GAF or the AIA tools is an excellent starting point to position yourself for opportunities in relation to emissions reduction in the future.

“Preparing for an ISCC audit in advance is also a smart initial step.

Integrating its data collection requirements into your everyday processes not only simplifies compliance but also provides valuable insights that can support other decision-making efforts.

“Additionally, collaboration and learning from others in the field can be immensely beneficial.”

WINNERS: Adrian and Kate McCabe have been recognised as leaders in sustainability as part of the South Australian Landcare Awards.

National-first project to understand South Australian grain production emissions

DRAWING THE LINE

Export markets, governments, financiers and other industry stakeholders are demanding the South Australian grain industry should be doing more to reduce its Green House Gas (GHG) emissions footprint but the South Australian grain industry doesn’t know where it sits in the bigger picture. A project by Grain Producers SA (GPSA) is setting about to change that.

Last year, GPSA announced a national-first initiative to establish a baseline for GHG emissions across the state’s grain production sector. This emissions baselining project is designed to equip farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to better understand their carbon footprint, while improving operational efficiencies.

To deliver this important project, GPSA appointed Pinion Advisory, a consultancy firm known for its expertise in sustainable agricultural practices.

GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said the project is aiming to establish a GHG emissions baseline for grain production in South Australia.

“At the moment, there are many different stakeholders across the supply chain that are demanding data from grain producers so it can be used for reporting purposes or towards initiatives to reach the Government’s net zero emissions targets,” he said.

Pinion is looking forward to playing a role in this groundbreaking project, providing hands-on support to farmers throughout the state.

“We are excited to be involved in this national-first project that will establish

“This project is about gathering the definitive data we need to be able to advocate on behalf of grain producers in South Australia to show what growers have already achieved and can achieve into the future. ”

Brad

Perry, GPSA CEO

“If there are any areas where the sector can improve and reduce emissions, GPSA will look at opportunities to providing training and education.”

the emissions baseline for South Australia’s grain production,” a spokesperson said.

“Working one-on-one with producers, our consultants can analyse on-farm emissions and help develop strategies to reduce or minimise emissions. This hands-on approach not only aids in achieving potential emission reductions but also empowers farmers with the knowledge and tools to maintain sustainable practices in the long term.

“By participating in this project, South Australian grain producers can better position themselves for future challenges and opportunities, ensuring their operations are both sustainable and competitive.”

Pinion also believes if done successfully in South Australia, this production baselining approach could be applied nationally across different agricultural commodities.

“The model of farmers providing their data to generate emission estimates and reports ensures real data is providing real estimates,” a spokesperson said.

“This approach simplifies the process of data collection and reporting, making it more accessible for farmers. We see this space evolving more into the future, with enhancements advanced by Artificial Intelligence for easier reporting, representing the future of emissions management.

“This model not only supports individual farmers but also creates a cohesive framework for the agricultural sector to collectively reduce its carbon footprint.”

Of the grain producers baselined so far during the project, Pinion has noticed

several areas that have required more intensified support to collect data.

“Maintaining accurate and detailed farm accounting is crucial for understanding the specific inputs and outputs of a farm operation and allows for more precise emissions tracking and better decision-making,” a spokesperson said.

“Breaking down scope 1 emissions (direct emissions from owned or controlled sources) helps producers identify key areas for improvement. For example, a significant portion of emissions often comes from fertiliser and pesticide use. By optimising these inputs, with help from our consultants, farmers may be able to reduce their emissions without sacrificing productivity.

“This project has highlighted opportunities in resource use across single and mixed-farm enterprises.”

When asked why it is important for South Australian grain producers to join the emissions baselining project, Pinion provided the following reasons:

1. Market access:

Aligning with sustainability standards can open new market opportunities for grain producers, ensuring their products meet the requirements of environmentally conscious buyers and international markets.

2. Social license:

Demonstrating a commitment to reducing emissions helps maintain a positive public image and secures the social license to operate.

3. Emission understanding:

PARTICIPATE: Attendees at one of Grain Producers SA’s Emissions Baselining Project Workshops in Watervale, run by Pinion Advisory.

4. Consultant support:

Producers benefit from personalised support from consultants, helping them develop and implement strategies to minimise emissions.

Gaining a clear understanding of their emission output and responsibility allows producers to take informed actions to reduce their carbon footprint.

5. Identify opportunities:

Without a baseline understanding of their emissions, it is challenging for producers to identify and capitalise on opportunities for improvement. This project provides the foundation needed to pinpoint areas for reduction and efficiency gains.

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Image: Bureau of Meteorology Australia

The inaugural South Australian Grain Industry Awards is quickly shaping up as a major highlight on the state’s grain industry calendar, celebrating excellence and innovation across the sector.

GPSA Chair John Gladigau said securing Greg Champion as the headline entertainer adds a special touch to what will be an already memorable evening.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Greg Champion to our inaugural SA Grain Industry Awards Gala Dinner,” Mr. Gladigau said.

FAMOUS AUSSIE SONGWRITER TO ENTERTAIN AT GRAIN AWARDS

Renowned Australian songwriter, singer, comedian and radio personality Greg Champion will bring his trademark Aussie humour and catchy tunes to entertain the audience at the 2025 South Australian Grain Industry Awards at the Adelaide Oval on February 4.

“His passion for rural communities and ability to capture the essence of Australian life in his music truly resonates with farmers and regional audiences.

“We can’t wait for him to entertain our guests and make the night one to remember.”

ALL ABOUT GREG

Greg Champion was raised in Adelaide but as he puts it: ‘accidentally’ born in Benalla, Victoria’. Most importantly, Greg is a lifelong sport fanatic, also being a big Norwood and Crows supporter.

Many Australians know Greg from his regular appearances on ABC Radio’s ‘Coodabeen Champions’, where his quick wit and spontaneous song parodies earned him a loyal following.

Greg’s repertoire includes comedic takes on all things Australian—footy and cricket anthems, rural life tributes, and sharp-witted parodies that shine a light on the lighter side of country living.

Favourites like: ‘I Made a 100 in the Backyard at Mum’s’, ‘Don’t Call Wagga Wagga Wagga’, and his footy and cricket inspired classics have become cult hits across regional Australia.

LYRICS FROM GREG CHAMPION’S SONG ‘THE POWER AND THE CROW’

Many may remember the Channel 7 football telecast theme from the mid-nineties and early 2000s, Greg’s anthem ‘That’s The Thing About Football’.

He’s also played at 23 Tamworth Music Festivals, a dozen Port Fairy Festivals, dozens of Gympie Musters, Maldon Festivals, Canberra fests and the list goes on. Greg has won country music awards, two ARIA nominations and a Double platinum album for ‘Aussie Christmas with Bucko & Champs’. And of course, he’s also played at three VFL-AFL

grand finals and several one-day cricket finals.

“One of the reasons we’re particularly excited about hosting Greg is his genuine connection with regional communities of which our grain producers live, work and play,” Mr. Gladigau added.

“He understands the heart and soul of farming life, and his songs celebrate it in a way that brings people together. That’s exactly what we hope to achieve at the Awards Gala Dinner.”

“Oh it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever known me father is a Power man me mother she’s a Crow oh my Daddy is blue collar from Ethelton came he my mother she’s from Netherby she went to MLC it was at the Ramsgate Hotel they wed, and honeymooned but since Port joined the AFL they sleep in separate rooms”

MUSIC: Legendary Aussie singer and songwriter Greg Champion will entertain the audience at the South Australian Grain Industry Awards, much like he did in front of tens of thousands at AFL grand finals.

SOWING THE SEEDS OF SUCCESS

The Grain Producer Magazine catches up with Elders Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mark Allison to find out why Australia’s 185-year-old agribusiness leader believes sponsoring the inaugural South Australian Grain Industry Awards is the perfect partnership.

Elders is celebrating 185 years of operation, which is a huge achievement. How has the company’s role in the agricultural sector evolved over the years?

MA: The significance of achieving 185 years servicing Australian farmers in 2024 does not go unrecognised here at Elders. In 1839, Alexander Elder arrived in Port Adelaide and that began our journey in servicing regional and rural Australia.

For 185 years Elders has been embedded in the fabric of Australian agriculture and played a key role in rural and regional communities by employing local people and servicing local farming families. Our tenure is a testament to the unparalleled understanding that Elders has of the farming landscape and the needs of our clients. Our unwavering commitment to this sector means we continue to prosper as leaders at the forefront of the agriculture industry.

Elders has always been a trusted advisor to our clients and customers, and this remains unchanged. We have witnessed over the years a change in how we farm and the continuous innovations in the ag tech space and focus on sustainable farming practices. We’ve seen the adoption and application of ag tech in agriculture to increase yields of food and fibre, drive down costs and optimise land and water use. We’re farming smarter.

Here at Elders, we’re helping to bridge the gap between research and on-farm change for Australian producers, which is providing practical, profitable and sustainable future-focused solutions. We have an important role to identify and evaluate emerging ag tech and bring them to market to our customers for improved farming practices. It’s always an exciting time to be in ag.

Q: As someone who has been involved in the grain sector for such a long time, what are the biggest changes you’ve seen?

MA: I started my career as an agronomist in northwestern New South Wales, and if I think about how far our modern farming systems have come in recent years, it continues to amaze me.

Over the past few decades, it has been incredible to see how we’ve been able to revolutionise grain production efficiency in Australia through evolving and applying farming systems tailored specifically for farming in Australia.

If we go back 30 years, a low rainfall year would see headers parked in the shed, but these days we are seeing farmers harvesting well over one tonne per hectare cereal crops from as little as 100 millimetres of Growing Season Rainfall in areas like the South Australian Mallee and Eyre Peninsula.

The combination of latest research, strong agronomic support and innovative farmers has revolutionised how we grow crops in Australia.

Q: We are excited to have Elders on board as the Platinum Sponsor of GPSA’s

inaugural South Australian Grain Industry Awards. What are you most looking forward to about being involved in the Awards?

MA: We’re thrilled to be the Platinum Sponsor of the Awards. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the grain industry and producers in South Australia and take stock and recognise those who do so much for the industry. Being involved in these awards aligns perfectly with Elders’ legacy of supporting innovation, sustainability, and excellence in agriculture.

As a company with deep roots in South Australia, we understand the significance of honouring those who drive our industry forward and contribute to its ongoing success.

These awards provide a unique opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements within the grain industry, an integral part of our state’s agricultural heritage. I am also looking forward to presenting the

Elders sponsored award of ‘Grain Producer of the Year’.

Q: What are your expectations for the inaugural event?

MA: It will be a great opportunity to get the sector together and reflect on what has been this year. It’s been a tough year for South Australian producers with extremely challenging conditions, and it’s important that we look after each other and celebrate the wins amongst the tough times.

I am looking forward to hearing about the incredible work and capabilities of the nominees across the six categories. We have much drive, innovation, ingenuity and leadership across the sector, and what a great opportunity to highlight those producers and business’ who are making impact in the sector.

Q: The grain industry in South Australia is worth almost eight billion dollars and yet we are often labelled as the quiet achievers. Do you think the grain industry

CELEBRATING: Elders Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mark Allison believes being major sponsor of the South Australian Grain Industry Awards is important in celebrating the successes. (BELOW) Adelaide Oval is the venue the awards night will be held.

in South Australia and Australia needs to do a better job in telling our story?

MA: Agriculture in South Australia underpins our economic prosperity as a state and underpins the fabric of its rural communities. Too often the agriculture sector wears the brunt of uninformed and ideological decisions by policy makers and therefore it would be great to see more awareness of the great work happening in the grains industry.

Through Elders’ support of the South Australian Grain Industry Awards, we hope that we can elevate the awareness of some of the leading farmers in South Australia across a broader audience.

Q: Through the Grain Awards, a South Australian Grain Industry Hall of Fame is being created, and legends will be inducted. How important do you think it is to recognise the champions of our industry?

MA: We all know some of the local or industry champions, who have been driving positive change for many years in their local farming community, or at a broader industry level. Ensuring these individuals, many of whom are quiet achievers, receive due recognition is an important part of the community aspect of Australian agriculture.

Q: There are plenty of challenges and opportunities both abroad and at home for the grain industry as we speak. What do you see as the top challenges and opportunities for the South Australian grain industry going forward?

MA: It’s been a tough season here in South Australia and I’d firstly like to recognise the resilience of the entire grains industry during the 2024 growing season.

“Too often the agriculture sector wears the brunt of uninformed and ideological decisions by policy makers and therefore it would be great to see more awareness of the great work happening in the grains industry” - Mark Allison, CEO Elders

However, there are plenty of green shoots on the horizon. The demand signals we continue to see from international markets remain strong for

Australian grain – as an export-focused industry, we are well positioned with a quality product that the world wants and through a continual market-driven approach we can continue to align our production to these market signals.

Closer to the paddock, the opportunities we continue to see from the ever-evolving ag tech sector will help transform Australian farming and continue to enhance the productivity and sustainability of our farming systems.

There are two aspects to this, firstly is the application of emerging technology solutions to the farming sector, and secondly it’s about ensuring we have a much closer dialogue between farmers and the ag tech sector – currently that gap is too wide and we often see a mismatch between what is required in the paddock and what is being developed on a computer or in a lab.

We see Elders as playing a role in helping bridge this gap for the benefit of the broader industry through events such as evokeAg.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?

MA: The alignment of past, present and future is overwhelming between the grain producers of South Australia and Elders in our founding and home state. We are humbled by the ongoing trust in our 185-year-old partnership, and our golden future.

FUTURISTIC: Elders CEO and Managing Director Mark Allison says opportunities will continue from the ever-evolving ag tech sector to transform Australian farming.

Thank you for your support this season

We have been continuing to create value for growers and local communities by:

Investing $75 million in our storage and handling network to upgrade infrastructure and increase efficiencies for growers, as well as additional funding for other major projects.

Working closely with our grower customers to understand what they’ve grown, and adjusting our segregation plans based on their feedback.

Winner of Regional Business of the Year at the 2024 South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards

Working with our 45+ buyer including 15 export customers this season to connect growers and buyers by matching market requirements with what has been produced.

Backing local communities with our significant annual contribution to the economy as a buyer of grain from growers and from our investments in our supply chain including $1.2b+ to the South Australian economy last season.

Supporting the areas where we operate through sponsoring a range of local groups, organisations and charities.

Finalists for inaugural South Australian Grain Industry Awards announced

OUTSTANDING CROP

An impressive list of grain producers and industry contributors have been announced as the finalists of the inaugural South Australian Grain Industry Awards, recognising excellence, leadership, and innovation within the State’s multi-billion-dollar grain sector.

Winners across six categories will be unveiled at the South Australian Grain Industry Awards Gala Dinner, to be held on February 4, 2025, at Adelaide Oval. There will also be inaugural inductees into the South Australian Grain industry Hall of Fame announced at the dinner.

Grain Producers SA (GPSA) Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said the quality and diversity of finalists reflect the strength and resilience of South Australia’s grain industry.

“Our esteemed judging panel was presented with an impressive field of entrants whose passion and dedication shine through their work,” Mr. Perry said.

“The finalists represent the very best of our grain industry, from seasoned leaders and innovators to emerging talent who are shaping the future of the state’s grain sector.”

For more information about the South Australian Grain Industry Awards and to purchase tickets, visit www.sagrainindustryawards.com.au

FINALISTS: (ABOVE) Jock McNeil with his boom spray. (LEFT) Kelvin Tiller looking through the seeder.

BOTTOM: Lou Flohr at the entrance to her farm.

Thanks to SA Grain Industry Award sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor: Elders

Gold Sponsor: Department of Primary Industries and Regions

Silver Sponsors: Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

Bronze Sponsors: Commonwealth Bank, Mellor Olsson Lawyers, Ramsey Bros/ Case IH, Bentleys

Award Sponsors: Croplife Australia, SA Drought Hub, Viterra, Cargill

Media Partners: Stock Journal, ABC Country Hour, FlowFM

Supporters: Malt Donkey and Terry Howe Printing Services

SA GRAIN INDUSTRY AWARDS FINALISTS:

Grain Producer of the Year (sponsored by Elders)

• Kelvin Tiller (Adelaide Plains)

• Andrew Thomas (Mallee)

• Damien Sommerville (Mid North)

• Andrew Polkinghorne (Eyre Peninsula)

Young Grain Producer of the Year (sponsored by PIRSA)

• Tim Cawrse (Mid North)

• Jock McNeil (Mallee)

• Chris Moloney (Yorke Peninsula)

Sustainability Award (sponsored by SA Drought Hub)

• Trevor Menz (South East)

• Tim Paschke (Riverland)

Industry Impact Award (sponsored by Cargill)

• Dr Rhiannon Schilling

• Dr Mel Fraser

• Prof Chris Preston

Women in Grain Award (sponsored by Viterra)

• Kelly Turci (Mid North)

• Lou Flohr (Mallee)

• Zoe Starkey (Murray Mallee)

Innovation Award (sponsored by Croplife Australia)

• Sam Johns (Yorke Peninsula)

• Jess Koch (Mid North)

• Sam Trengove (Yorke Peninsula)

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CARRIER: A grain truck prepares to disembark from the ferry at Lucky Bay.

Business floats freight reduction for trucks as part of…

FERRY GOOD DROUGHT SUPPORT OFFER

Avessel travelling between Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula and Lucky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula will be transporting heavy vehicles at a discounted rate as part of its business’ own drought relief support.

Spencer Gulf Searoad runs a passenger and vehicle ferry service that operates daily from Wallaroo to Lucky Bay. It’s vessel, Aurora V (Five), is designed to accommodate a variety of vehicles, including cars, caravans, boats, trailers, B-Doubles, trucks, and farm machinery, and up to 200 passengers.

Spencer Gulf Searoad’s Kieran Carvill said the freight discount is available to all South Australian grain producers until June 2025.

“We are offering all growers in South Australia, but probably mainly relevant only for those on the Eyre and partially the Yorke peninsula, a drought relief freight reduction for all trucks that they put on the Ferry,” he said.

“The freight price reduction versus the normal tariff, represents a 20 per cent reduction for all growers’ truck movements from now to the end of June 2025.

“We are providing this service to the growers due to the tough drought conditions that they are facing to support our community.

“We are also hoping that in generating savings for the growers, this will increase the traffic movements by Ferry which will help us to expand the service offering, running more crossings and in doing so, increase the community benefit long term.

“As a local company embedded in the South Australian rural community, we feel we need to try and assist growers with poorer crops to make ends meet

by reducing our charges to them. Ultimately, as a local business, we are trying to help an economy and society that is key to the region that we operate in and that also supports our business.

“Overall, supporting South Australia’s grain industry serves towards global food security and strengthens the state’s economy, but of much greater importance, it is the key support of individual livelihoods in the rural communities that we serve, while promoting environmental sustainability.”

Mr Carvill said heavy vehicles often use the ferry to transport grain and other goods.

“There are some trucks that use the ferry for transporting agricultural goods, which include fertiliser bulk and liquids, minor grade grains, legumes, lentils and grain,” he said.

“We do also see quite a lot of heavy machinery movements on the vessel which are all offered as bespoke priced services.”

Mr Carvill said four weeks’ notice is required for bookings to receive the discounted ferry rate.

“As part of the program, we would look to potentially add extra vessel crossings to facilitate truck return timing. As these extra services would be subject to the truck demand, we need as much time as possible to prepare for same.

We will calculate costs for the grower, discuss and arrange the movements individually with growers when they call to make bookings.

“While we are asking for 4 weeks’ notice to guarantee bookings and deck space, we will try and accommodate short term discounted bookings where space is available” he said.

OFF RAMP: A grain seeder exits the Spencer Gulf Searoad ferry.

A practical and insightful platform built to enhance growers grain marketing expertise and ultimately, improve profitability.

YOUNG GUNS STEP UP

The first ever South Australian Young Grain Producers Committee has been formed and has met. These young and inquisitive minds will play an important role in shaping the future of the state’s grain industry policy and advocacy under Grain Producers SA (GPSA).

GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry highlighted the importance of having a specific avenue to receive policy and advocacy advice on grain issues related to the younger generation.

“The Young Grain Producers Committee reflects GPSA’s commitment to ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for South Australia’s grain sector. This diverse group of passionate and driven individuals will bring fresh perspec-

tives to the challenges and opportunities facing our industry,” Mr Perry said.

“It is fantastic to have Deanna Paech Chair the Committee as she is not only a grain producer at Palmer in the Murraylands but an experienced industry leader. It is also exciting to see representation from across South Australia, ensuring we capture the breadth of experiences and expertise from grain producers in our key cropping regions.

“This initiative demonstrates GPSA’s long-term investment in building leadership capacity within our industry. We look forward to supporting the Committee as it provides important advice on key policy matters and contributes to GPSA’s advocacy on behalf of South Australian grain producers.”

Here’s a brief biography about each of the Young Grain Producers Committee members, chaired by GPSA Grower Director Deanna Paech.

Deanna Paech (Chair)

Deanna and her husband Steen operate Hillydale Farms, a grain and sheep business in SA’s Murraylands. Her career began in journalism, where she was editor of the Stock Journal before co-founding AgCommunicators, a rural communication and marketing consultancy.

She is a Churchill Fellow, where she researched building trust in agriculture, and a former winner of the SA Rural Women’s Award. She is a founding member of Murray Plains Farmers and has previously served on the board of Foodbank SA/NT.

Andrew Hunt (Mallee)

Andrew is a grain producer from Lameroo in the Mallee, where he manages the operations of Flohr & Co. Having grown up on a family farm near Keith, Andrew has been immersed in agriculture his entire life.

With over a decade of hands-on farming experience and five years in farm management, he has developed a strong understanding of grain production and the broader agricultural landscape. His early career included three years as an agronomist and various roles in agriculture during his university years, providing him with a well-rounded perspective on the industry.

Dili is a grain producer in Manoora in the Mid North, working alongside her husband in the farming operation. Dili brings a strong passion for sustainable agriculture and the resilience of small family farms to her role on the Committee.

With over 13 years of experience in grains research at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Dili has a background in pre-breeding and data analysis, equipping her with a scientific and analytical approach to farming challenges. A graduate of the Women Together Learning (WoTL) “Stepping into Leadership Program,” she has embraced leadership roles, including serving as a WoTL Ambassador and co-ordinating agri-business courses to empower regional communities.

Cameron grew up on the family grain farm at Spalding in the Mid North and is still actively involved, while also gaining experience in a larger corporate farming operation,

Warakirri Cropping. Cameron brings a unique perspective to the Committee, combining hands-on experience in small family farming with insights from corporate and interstate agricultural practices. His diverse background, including work with supply chain partners in the grain industry, has equipped him with a strong understanding of farming operations and industry dynamics.

Matthew is a sixth-generation grain producer based in Agery on the Yorke Peninsula. After completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences from the University of Adelaide, Matthew gained valuable experience as a research agronomist and retail agronomist, specialising in statistical analysis.

Two years ago, he transitioned to a full-time role on the family farm, which operates a continuous cropping system and offers spray contracting services. His combined expertise in agronomy, data analysis, and on-farm operations underpins his commitment to improving farming practices and supporting the grains industry’s long-term resilience.

Dili Schoenberg (Mid North)

Cameron Longbottom (Mid North)

Matthew Cadd (Yorke Peninsula)

Matthew Howell (South East)

Matthew is a first-generation grain producer from Meningie in South Australia’s Upper South-East, where he grows wheat, barley, canola, and hay. With 15 years of experience as a commercial agronomist, Matthew has worked across cropping, pasture, and dairy sectors, providing him with extensive technical expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by grain producers.

Matthew brings a dual perspective to the Committee, combining his agronomic knowledge with the practical realities of farming. Through his vast network and technical expertise, Matthew is committed to advocating for sustainable and practical solutions that support growers and strengthen the grains industry.

Penny is a passionate agricultural systems scientist focused on the challenges of adaptation to climate change and supplying a growing population with nutritious food.

Her recent research has focused around supporting the development of the pulse grain sector in South Australia. She is an Affiliate Associate Lecturer at The University of Adelaide with experience in cropping, pastures, livestock and farming system modelling. She is most at home working directly with farmers to support research adoption.

Dion Trezona (Eyre Peninsula)

Dion is a fifth-generation grain producer, operating a mixed farming business near Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula, where he lives with his wife and five children. His enterprise integrates cropping and livestock, showcasing a balanced and sustainable approach to farming in a challenging environment.

Dion is a highly engaged member of the agricultural community, actively involved with Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP) and local agricultural bureaus. He has also hosted several research trials on his property over many years, contributing to the development and adoption of new practices and technologies to benefit the broader farming sector.

Dr Penny Roberts (South East)

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Yorke Peninsula Council’s draconian

measures push growers to go…

TRUCKING MAD

A proposal by the Yorke Peninsula Council to restrict heavy vehicle access was met with significant backlash from grain producers, resulting in the suggested changes not proceeding.

In mid-2024, the Yorke Peninsula Council (YPC) proposed a Heavy Vehicle Access Strategy that included night curfews and weather-related restrictions for trucks. The left-field measures were intended to enhance road safety and reduce wear on unsealed roads. However, the proposed restrictions faced significant opposition from local farmers, industry stakeholders, and Grain Producers SA (GPSA).

COUNCIL PROPOSES RESTRICTIONS

At the Council meeting on 17 April 2024, it was noted that the Yorke Peninsula Council required a strategy that would provide an appropriate level of network access for heavy vehicles, while addressing the community’s ‘willingness to pay’ for the necessary infrastructure. The strategy highlighted 152 localities with Priority 1 issues, categorised as very high-risk areas requiring immediate treatment.

The proposed strategy included specific conditions for access on YPC roads with P1 issues. These included:

• Speed Reduction:

Reducing vehicle speed to 30km/h for roads with P1 issues pre-approved for B-Double HML access.

• Hazard Beacons:

Use of amber rotating hazard beacons at the front and back of vehicles to alert oncoming traffic.

• Operation Restrictions:

Limiting operations during wet conditions and outside daylight hours (5pm to 7am in winter).

Furthermore, the YPC sought an update to the NHVR route map, including all YPC gazette or HML permit-approved networks, to restrict unsealed road speeds to a maximum of 50 kilometres per hour. This was proposed to reduce road wear and improve safety, coupled with a road user education program to support these changes.

The proposed restrictions sparked widespread concern among grain producers and the broader agricultural community.

SUBMISSION HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNS

As part of the consultation process, GPSA put forward a submission, one of nearly 800.

GPSA collaborated with local grain producers, national advocacy bodies, the freight industry, and other supply chain stakeholders to advocate against the restrictive measures. Their collective efforts culminated in hundreds of public submissions, underscoring the critical importance of the issue to the community.

In GPSA’s submission to the Council’s consultation, Mr Perry highlighted many of the issues raised with the peak advocacy body over the proposed heavy vehicle road access changes.

“It is GPSA’s belief that no council in South Australia would be able to legitimately approve such a strategy without the critical supporting data and evidence that is required to ensure decisions are being made in the best interests of the ratepayers/communities,” he wrote.

BIG IMPACT: Media coverage of the campaign against the

“If this Strategy is approved, it will be a backwards step for the grain industry on the Yorke Peninsula.”

GPSA raised concerns about the proposed reduction in speed limit on unsealed roads for heavy vehicles on the Yorke Peninsula.

“The Review states ‘out of the 3361 kilometres of unsealed road network, at least 1020 kilometres are three to seven metres in width not affording sufficient passing opportunity’. With a speed reduction to 30km/hr how will tourist vehicles or infrequent light vehicle users react when coming behind slow moving heavy vehicles? Will those drivers wait or attempt to overtake, and the 30km/hr speed be found as a factor in the circumstances surrounding a crash occurrence?” Mr Perry wrote.

“There is no sufficient evidence to show that slowing heavy vehicles to 30 kilometres per hour speed limits on the identified unsealed roads will make a difference to safety outcomes.”

Another key point raised was the red tape proposed for required flashing lights on heavy vehicles.

“An amber or yellow flashing light is usually used as a warning for road users of an obstruction to the free flow of traffic,” Mr Perry wrote.

“Amber or yellow flashing lights fitted to heavy or agricultural vehicles and combinations are used to show either operations in hazardous situations or used when the vehicle is standing in a hazardous position or is moving in hazardous circumstances. Does a 26 metre B-Double HML become a hazard because it is speed restricted to 30km/hr?

“Overuse of amber or yellow flashing lights may lead to indifference for road users and reduce the impact for emergency personnel vehicles or to those used for work on the road, including construction vehicles and tow trucks. Heavy vehicles already have enough lighting to ensure road users are aware of their presence.”

The proposed measure to not operate trucks outside of daylight hours was also met with pushback.

“Council suggests a ‘no operation for the same outside of day light hours (i.e. between 5pm and 7am to cover winter)’ and that will directly impact productivity, tighten work demands, and potentially decrease local agribusiness profits over time,” Mr Perry wrote.

“Truck drivers need to consider strategies that manage their workload to mitigate fatigued driving. A driving curfew between 5pm and 7am restricts travel periods to 11 hours per day. Drivers and other responsible parties in the supply chain are required by law to count work and rest times in a specific way. Drivers must count a day’s work and rest time for the whole 24hour period following the end of a relevant major rest break.

“By enforcing a night curfew, Council could indirectly influence the behaviour of a heavy vehicle driver or other party in the Chain of Responsi-

Yorke Peninsula Council’s proposed Heavy Vehicle Access Strategy.

bility (CoR) regarding speed, fatigue, work, and rest hours. For example, a driver from a night curfew location delivering grain to Port Adelaide bulk grain export terminal delayed due to an unforeseen circumstance may not be able to return to depot prior to curfew, or in transit to find somewhere to pull up and stop.

“Delays, and sudden changes and notifications have been found to directly affect driver behaviour and increase crash probability.

“Imposing unreasonable night curfews may influence tight or unrealistic delivery times or an unrealistic number of deliveries in a window of time. Additionally, grain may not be able to be delivered off-farm in a timely manner if night restrictions are in place and wet weather restrictions are enforced on these unsealed roads through this Strategy.

“Council would effectively be applying a lockdown of that farm for an unknown number of days.

“Wet weather restrictions may not allow drivers to comply with work and rest requirements. How does a driver planning a journey allow sufficient time to safely complete the freight task when weather is an unknown?

“Allowing space for any vehicles in front for wet weather or changed road conditions is an obvious choice, but heavy rain increases the distance it takes for a heavy vehicle to stop.

OPPOSED: Mel Kenny, Chelly Litster, Jake Oster and Ben Wundersitz were among a group of farmers and transport operators opposed to any restrictions on heavy vehicles on the Yorke Peninsula.

PHOTO: Yorke Peninsula Country Times.

“Our grain producers compete in a global marketplace and putting these restrictions on heavy vehicles using the road network to transport grain from farm to silo is nothing more than draconian.

“These are the type of initiatives that would also make an investor reconsider purchasing farm property as other council regions/states do not have these types of productivity and efficiency restrictions.

“We believe that grader widening, remove of vegetation causing safety issues at intersections, increasing awareness of heavy vehicle and light vehicle interactions and general surface

upgrades are good points for a heavy vehicle strategy but must not come at the expense of the heavy vehicle access and efficiency and productivity farmers currently enjoy on the Yorke Peninsula.”

COMMONSENSE PREVAILS

Acknowledging the substantial community feedback, the Yorke Peninsula Council did not go ahead with the proposed night curfews and weather-related restrictions from the final version of the Heavy Vehicle Access Strategy.

This decision was hailed as a victory for grain producers and all stakeholders reliant on the road network for their livelihoods.

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Five Minutes with a Farmhand

Yorke Peninsula farmhand Michael Hollow is passionate about the grain industry in South Australia. We caught up with him to chat about why he enjoys life on the land.

Name: Michael Hollow

Work location: Maitland, Yorke Peninsula

Role: Senior workman

Q: How long have you been working in the grain industry and how did you choose this as a career pathway?

A: I’ve been working in my current role for the past five and a half years. I chose this pathway because my family were farmers and my grandfathers both were, so it’s in my blood. I can always remember wanting to be a farmer and had the drive and love to do it.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of working on a grain farm?

A: The most rewarding part of cropping is starting with seed and producing world class food at the end of the year. It’s paddock-to-plate against all the challenges we face during the year. It couldn’t get any better!

Q: How do you unwind after a busy season?

A: After a busy season I like spending time with friends, shooting and fishing and serving in the community in various organisations.

Q: If you weren’t farming, what would you be doing?

A: I’d still be a ‘chippy’ or in an ag related job, or maybe even truck driving.

Q: What’s your pick for a header? Red, Green, Yellow or another colour?

A: Definitely John Deere.

Q: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing

the grain industry today?

A: Biggest challenge facing the grain industry going forward is to show that farming isn’t harmful to the environment or people but in fact producing world quality food that is good with fantastic best practices and educating the city cousins and business about the true story of their food! The alarming increase of red, white and blue tape is a serious threat and unnecessary issue!

Q: What is the most important piece of advice you’d give to a young person starting out working in the grain sector?

A: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take every opportunity, big or small.

Q: What’s the worst task that needs to be done during harvest?

A: Working on the road train when a breakdown happens or blowing down headers.

Q: What’s your go-to lunch option during harvest?

A: Minlaton Bakery is where it’s at. Amazing food.

Q: Favourite podcast?

A: ‘Farm for Profit’, ‘Barn Talk’ and ‘Alpha Blokes’.

Q: Where is your go-to travel destination after harvest?

A: Beaches in South Australia and travelling New South Wales.

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Succession Planning, the Family Farm and the Bank

Succession planning is essential for the long-term viability of farming businesses and ensuring the smooth transition of responsibilities to the next generation.

It involves much more than just business logistics—it also touches on family history, emotional ties, and financial relationships. A well-thought-out, written, and regularly updated succession plan is crucial for protecting both the business and family interests.

Key Elements of Succession Planning

A good succession plan should clearly define the following:

• Retirement Funds: Determine the financial resources needed for retirement.

• Business Transition: Identify who will take over the farm, when, and how.

• Asset Transfer: Plan for how assets will be transferred between generations.

These discussions should involve all interested family members, with guidance from trusted advisors such as accountants, lawyers, and brokers.

Collaborating with Advisors

Working with a team of advisors brings a variety of perspectives to the table, which is vital for a comprehensive plan. Regular meetings are necessary to review the plan and make adjustments as family dynamics or business conditions change. Key advisors will help ensure that both the farm’s business side and family needs are balanced.

Financial Considerations

It’s important to maintain financial flexibility during the succession process. This includes:

• Off-Farm Assets: Having assets like superannuation or shares can help smooth the transition.

• Scenario Planning: Consider different future scenarios, including changes in farm operations or personal financial needs.

• Financial flexibility also allows for decisions like paying off family members or managing debt in ways that benefit the overall transition.

The Bank’s Role

While succession planning may seem like a private family matter, it’s something your bank

By Deb Purvis

will be interested in. A strong and up-to-date succession plan demonstrates to the bank that the farm has long-term sustainability and that ownership is clear. This can make securing finance easier, as the bank will feel confident in the farm’s financial future.

Steps for a Smooth Succession

For a successful transition:

• Engage the Next Generation Early: Involve them in discussions so they understand their roles and responsibilities.

• Set Up Documentation in Advance: Clear communication and planning should begin well before the transition is needed.

• Consider Housing and Off-Farm Assets: Plan for the retiring generation’s living arrangements and ensure off-farm investments are part of the plan.

Ongoing Review and Flexibility

Succession plans are not static. They need to be revisited regularly to reflect changing circumstances, whether that’s changes in the family, business, or external factors. Regular updates, open communication, and flexibility are key to successful succession planning.

A SOUNDTRACK TO THE 2024 HARVEST

Grain Producers SA (GPSA) turned up the volume this harvest season with the release of its third and highly anticipated Harvest 100 playlist, providing the perfect soundtrack to keep South Australia’s grain producers energised through the busiest time of the year.

Packed with iconic anthems, country hits, and rock classics, the 2024 playlist helped fuel long hours in the paddock and late-night hauls.

Voted on by grain producers and the wider community, the 2024 Harvest 100’s top track was the timeless classic ‘Have You Ever Seen the Rain?’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said the playlist celebrated the resilience and passion of South Australia’s grain producers.

“The 2024 Harvest 100 songs were nominated by grain producers for grain producers, and it’s clear these song choices reflected the challenging season and lack of rain,” Brad said.

Mr Perry added that the playlist aimed to support the mental health and wellbeing of the state’s grain producers, recognising the vital role music plays during harvest.

“Music has always been a big part of harvest time. Whether it’s in the header, the ute, or delivering to a silo site, the right track could lift the mood, keep growers focused, and help them push through the toughest days,” he said.

The Top 10 tracks from GPSA’s 2024 Harvest 100 were:

1. Have You Ever Seen the Rain –Creedence Clearwater Revival

2. Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band

3. Harvest Time – Luke Bryan

4. Smooth Operator – Sade

5. Where the Wild Things Are –Luke Combs

6. The Gambler – Kenny Rogers

7. Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins

8. Thunderstruck – AC/DC

9. Here Comes the Rain Again –Eurythmics

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To listen to the full Harvest 100 playlist, visit www.harvest100.com.au or www.grainproducerssa.com.au, or check it out on GPSA’s Spotify account: https://tinyurl.com/47fcvcpu.