- The Crisafulli Government is delivering for Queensland’s grain industry through a $12 million joint investment to boost profitability.
- Investment will support new research focusing on improving quality and value of crops as well as safety for grain handling, insect control, monitoring, and fumigation.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor, that saw biosecurity protections eroded.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering funding for new research to fortify Queensland’s position as a global grain leader by improving grain quality, protecting key export markets, and improving on-farm safety.
Under a joint $12 million partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), research is underway at the Department of Primary Industries’ Post-Harvest Commodity Protection Laboratories and the Hermitage research facility near Warwick.
The Post Harvest Grains Research Project is addressing issues that impact grain producers after crops have been harvested by:
- Developing technology to more quickly detect insects and uncover resistance to insecticides
- Monitoring, recording and mapping insect incursions
- Improving the way fumigation is used to reduce grain growers’ reliance on contact insecticides and reduce resistance developing in five major stored grain pests: lesser grain borer, red flour beetle, rice weevil, rusty grain beetle and saw-toothed grain beetle
- Uncovering better ways to remove harmful gases from grain storage facilities to help industry comply with new SafeWork Australia regulations due to come into effect before 2027.
This research will help Queensland farmers produce grain that’s insect and chemical-residue free, enhancing the industry’s access to export markets.
The work is expected to protect growers from losses up to $100 million annually while supporting continued access to phosphine, the industry’s most affordable and widely used treatment.
After a decade of Labor decline where biosecurity safeguards crumbled and industry resilience was neglected, the Crisafulli Government is taking decisive action to support industry as part of our Primary Industries Prosper 2050 plan.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the investment was delivering on the Government’s ambitious target to increase the value of primary production to $30 billion by 2030.
“This initiative is about protecting our grain growers from costly post-harvest losses while ensuring Queensland’s grains export market remains globally competitive,” Minister Perrett said.
“These targeted projects will deliver practical solutions to safeguard growers’ profitability and strengthen the long-term sustainability of our industry.”
GRDC Managing Director Nigel Hart said the projects would deliver practical benefits for Queensland’s grain growers.
“These projects will provide our producers with the tools, technologies and information they need to meet evolving safety standards and maintain access to critical markets,” Mr Hart said.
“By focusing on innovation and collaboration, we’re delivering real-world solutions that will help growers reduce grain storage losses, boost productivity and safeguard profitability.”
