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Acova directors Andrew Hadfield and Stewart Hart pictured in Bayswater, Perth, in 2025 with one of the company’s grain-grading machines.

cutting-edge techPremiumAcova’s grain grader shows signs of early success

A WA-based agtech company is getting ready to launch its world-first technology on the international market after commercialising the product last year

Melissa Pedelty

Black cockatoos foraging on seed near grain silos.

COCKATOO CONCERNSPremiumGrain-contaminated pesticides impacting Wheatbelt cockatoos

A new study has found endangered cockatoos in the Wheatbelt have been ingesting grain contaminated with pesticides, with some seed spills near silos containing concentrations well above regulatory limits.

Rebecca Nadge

Sarah Corke's grain and sheep farm in Yealering on July 17.

Fingers crossedPremiumCrop forecast finds WA grainbelt looks deceptively good

The latest forecast estimates that while WA’s crops have the potential to again hit records, a predicted drier and hotter spring may swing the pendulum very quickly. 

Melissa Pedelty

Matthew Cossey - CEO, CropLife Australia

PLANT SCIENCEPremiumCropLife criticises APVMA’s new cost recovery model

The peak body for plant science has hit out at the Federal agricultural department, warning its flawed policy model will force Australian farmers to pay significantly more for crop protection products.

Rebecca Nadge

DPIRD senior research scientist Dr Kithsiri Jayasena examines scald infected inoculum at Albany.

Barley scald field dayResearch into increased barley scald actions field day

Great Southern grain growers at risk of foliar disease barley scald are encouraged to attend an upcoming field day near Tenterden.

Bob Garnant

Where The Rain Goes documentary behind the scenes.

the art of sciencePremiumWA Wheatbelt showcased in award-winning documentary

Perth filmmaker's documentary based in the WA Wheatbelt won a youth film award on Saturday.

Melissa Pedelty

GRDC general manager applied research, development and extension Craig Baillie said the NGN open call was a collaborative approach where GRDC partnered with grassroots organisations to deliver solutions to known issues for Australian grain growers.

grower prioritiesPremiumGRDC are seeking projects that address priority issues

A leading grain research organisation is looking for projects in Australia that respond to region-specific challenges as part of one of its newest investment initiatives.

Melissa Pedelty

Queensland grower Peter Wilson says pulse crops, including chickpeas, can feed prisons, hospitals, aged care and the defence industry.

Pulse GamePulse crops could provide a win-win for markets, nutrition

A leading pulse grower has urged for a diversification of targeted markets for the legume crop, suggesting a focus on institutional food systems worth up to $50 billion a year across Australia.

Georgia Campion

Grain products will now be exported from the Mid West Port through the new partnerhsip.

Grain exportsPremiumMid West Ports, Plum Grove enter grain export partnership

Mid West Ports and Plum Grove Logistics have joined forces in a milestone move to export grain products from Geraldton and bolster the capacity of WA farmers. 

Imogen Wilson

Grains Australia chief executive Richard Simonaitis.

Market UpdateHopes grow for resumption of $1.7 billion trade to China

Hopes for a renewed trade partnership for canola exports with China are growing as it remains a major buyer of Australian grains, with the industry remaining committed to diversifying trade options.

Georgia Campion

Nathan Crosby with Hugo Crosby, and young Fletcher, Stephen and Rowan Adams at their Woogenellup canola farm in 2024.

Grain CouncilPremiumFive fresh faces join CBH growers’ advisory council

Five new faces from across three districts have joined the Co-operative Bulk Handling Growers’ Advisory Council.

Georgia Campion

WA’s grain handling giant is weathering the fertiliser market storm caused by geopolitical instability, and is adjusting for a “considerably different” harvest at the end of the year.

Company UpdatePremiumCBH adjusting for ‘considerably different’ harvest

WA’s grain handling giant is weathering the fertiliser market storm caused by geopolitical instability, and is adjusting for a “considerably different” harvest at the end of the year.

Georgia Campion

Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme chairman and Esperance grower Peter Harkness.

surveyPremiumGrains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme survey out now

Only 100 grain industry members have had their say in the Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme survey.

Melissa Pedelty

Southern Ports project delivery supervisor Haydn Glendinning and Freyssinet project engineer Ronan Sinou inspect the work area underneath Berth 3 at the Port of Albany.

Berth budgetBerth 3 at Port of Albany to be upgraded in $12.2m project

The tender for a $12.2m project which includes an upgrade the Port of Albany’s berth 3 has been awarded to engineering firm Freyssinet.

Claire Middleton

CBH Group's upgraded Broomehill receival site.

CourtPremiumSupreme Court knocks back appeal, CBH ordered to pay up

WA’s grain handling giant has been ordered to cough up more than $22 million for a rapid loading station build in the Great Southern following a failed Supreme Court appeal.

Georgia Campion

West Midlands Group project executive officer Gabrielle Carrivick, project communications officer Simon Kruger, and mixed farming project officer Chanel Duggan.

Sandy SoilsPremiumWest Midlands Group kicks off sandy soils research project

A Mid West grower group is kicking off a five-year project into researching sandy soils in the region to reduce the risk of erosion for farmers.

Georgia Campion

The Port of Albany and Qube bulk chief operating officer Morne van Wyngaard, inset.

Port WorksPremiumLogistics giant edges in on WA’s monopoly grain market

Import-export logistics giant Qube has edged its way into WA’s largely monopolised grain handling market with the first stage of a new terminal in the Great Southern complete.

Georgia Campion

The APVMA has opted against banning paraquat more than three decades after it was first flagged for review. Inset: APVMA chief executive Scott Hansen.

Chemical DecisionPremiumWin for farmers as APVMA opts against banning paraquat

Australia’s chemical regulator and watchdog has decided not to ban paraquat and diquat, instead restricting application rates in a win for growers across the country.

Georgia Campion

Seeding at Perenjori.

Canola SwingPremiumWA growers swinging into canola and away from wheat

Crops across most of the State’s grain-growing areas have been freshened up by recent rainfall, with much of WA’s crop sprouting out of paddocks.

Georgia Campion

Four-leaf canola.

Chemical ReconsiderationPremiumChlorpyrifos-methyl prioritised for reconsideration

Australia’s chemical watchdog and regulator has announced a reconsideration on chlorpyrifos-methyl, with growers welcoming the move for public consultation.

Georgia Campion

Scaddan grain grower Tom Curnow is planting canola, wheat, barley and oats this winter crop.

Falling CropPremiumWA crop tonnage expected to drop as yields fall

WA’s winter crop is expected to fall short of last years’ historic grain tonnage despite a marginal increase in planted area as impacts from the Middle East conflict bite grain producers and yields fall.

Georgia Campion

DPIRD research scientist Rosemary Smith and the department’s team are working on three genetics projects to lay foundations for improved canola yields. Grant Stainer

GENETIC RESEARCHPremiumResearch projects to develop new resilient canola varieties

Three genetic research projects are underway to lay sound foundations to develop new high performance, resilient canola varieties

Rebecca Nadge

GRDC managing director Nigel Hart and board chais Sharon Starick.

Grains ResearchPremiumGRDC launches mission to reduce nitrogen dependency

Australia’s peak grain research body is pouring millions into finding critical nitrogen options as current geopolitics squeeze growers bottom line.

Georgia Campion

Lupins near Dowerin in 2020.

Weed KillerPremiumAPVMA expected to hand down paraquat review within ‘weeks’

The long-awaited decision on paraquat’s future is expected to be handed down by Australia’s chemical watchdog and regulator in the coming weeks.

Georgia Campion