SEASON 2019 is in the books for most of SA's graingrowers - with the exception of some in the South East still harvesting - and for many, it has been a challenging one.
Dry conditions and frost severely affected production across many of SA's grain growing areas, but some anecdotal reports suggest yields were above expectations - a testament to the farming systems and agronomy techniques adopted by SA growers.
Despite below-average production, Grain Producers SA has been working hard to ensure our growers are adequately represented beyond the farmgate.
GPSA started off the year with our popular Chain of Responsibility ... Made Easy workshops, which were free to all Primary Producers SA commodity group members.
More than 500 producers from the grain, livestock, dairy and winegrape sectors attended one of the 26 workshops, and received free information and advice on CoR legislation that affects their business.
We also announced the inaugural cohort of GPSA's Emerging Leaders Program, with participants immersing themselves in all aspects of policy, leadership and governance.
GPSA undertook constitutional reform to help the organisation better advocate on behalf of members to government, the public and the wider industry, which was overwhelmingly supported at a special general meeting convened in May.
GPSA will be focusing on ensuring the (GM) regulations will not be disallowed again.
- CAROLINE RHODES
Since GPSA was established in 2012, we have been firm in our belief that growers should have access to the crops which best suit their own farming systems - including genetically-modified crops.
With the state government introducing new regulations to lift the moratorium on mainland SA in December, GPSA remains focused on achieving a positive outcome for growers.
GPSA will be focusing on ensuring the regulations will not be disallowed again so SA growers can have the choice to adopt important technology.
The Mining Act was another important issue for farmers which passed Parliament in October, after several months of debate and rigorous advocacy from GPSA.
While amendments to the Act fell short of GPSA's expectations, our advocacy will continue as the government looks to introduce a second tranche of reforms, so the concerns of farmers and landowners remain well understood.
In 2020, GPSA will be looking to successfully deliver the SA Grain Industry Blueprint, which will allow our industry to develop long-term plans in cooperation with the whole value chain and with government.
GPSA will embark on a blueprint roadshow in early 2020 and I encourage those with an interest in the grain industry to get involved.
We will also be rolling out a series of free workshops - Roadworthy Heavy Vehicles ... Made Easy next year, to help heavy vehicle-owning members understand road safety, compliance and maintenance responsibilities.
More details, including workshop locations, will be available shortly.
On behalf of GPSA, I would like to wish producers across all sectors well in 2020.
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