By Grain Producers Australia Chair and WA grain grower Barry Large
In November 2022, Grain Producers Australia hosted an inaugural landmark event at Parliament House in Canberra, highlighting the united strength of our industry and its vital economic, environmental, and social contributions to Australia and beyond.
As part of the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers event, industry leaders provided federal members of parliament and senators with an overview of the many different grain types and volumes produced in different growing regions, and the integral role of Australian grain producers.
This week, Grain Producers coordinated another grains industry leaders' event, once again hosted by co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers - Meryl Swanson MP and Nola Marino MP. We sincerely thank them both again for this excellent opportunity.
However, this time the organisation served up something a little bit different by providing a much broader view of the national grains industry and the value we deliver, beyond the grain paddocks, silos, transport networks and domestic or export shipments.
Let's call it a tasty sample of the industry's true worth - from the paddock through to actual consumers of the many, many different types of grain-based products manufactured in Australia and throughout the globe.
In 2022, GPA hosted the event alongside Grain Trade Australia, the Grains Research and Development Corporation, the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre, Grains Australia, the Manildra Group and GrainGrowers.
These groups once again showed support by sharing knowledge about their different roles across the industry.
This time the Brewers Association of Australia and the Baking Association of Australia also shared the stage, broadening the insight into the importance of grains.
The Manildra Group also provided samples from the vast range of Australian food and industrial products they manufacture - including wheat flours, bakery mixes, vital wheat gluten and proteins, starches, syrups, ethanol, stockfeeds, fats and oils, and bags.
As well as hearing from Meryl and Nola, the 2024 grains showcase was also a great opportunity to hear from federal Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins.
GPA's National Mental Health Ambassador, and Australian cricketing legend, Brad Hogg, also provided an overview of his fantastic work, with the GPA Farmer Mates Mental Health Program that's proudly supported by a number of partners; especially Nufarm Australia.
While well known for his cricketing deeds, Brad is also a country boy at heart - born and raised in grain and sheep farming country, in WA's Wheatbelt.
That's why he also makes a good spokesperson to talk about the vital roles our high-quality grains play in supporting rural prosperity, environmental stewardship, economic development and food security, and health and nutrition for millions of people.
On the verge of the next federal election in early 2025, it's only natural that we should continue telling the great story of the Australian grains industry, to our elected leaders, with this event.
This article was first published on Stock & Land, 20 November, 2024: HERE
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