9 November 2026
NSW grain growers will have a stronger voice on the national stage, with NSW Farmers formally joining GrainGrowers in a significant step to strengthen national representation and collaboration across the grains industry.
NSW Farmers has become a State Farming Organisation member of GrainGrowers, securing a formal role in national grains policy and advocacy discussions to ensure NSW producers are represented on issues affecting their businesses.
The move builds on a partnership established earlier this year, when the two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration and ensure NSW grower priorities are reflected in national advocacy.
NSW Farmers CEO, Annabel Johnson, said the membership was an important step towards ensuring farmers had a stronger, more coordinated voice at both state and federal levels.
“Farmers want strong, effective representation that delivers practical outcomes for their businesses, and that is exactly what this partnership is designed to achieve,” Ms Johnson said.
“NSW Farmers already has a strong voice at the state level, and this membership gives our grain growers a more direct pathway to influence national policy and advocacy on the issues that matter most to them.”
Advocacy in action
Ms Johnson said the recent decision to delay the introduction of new workplace exposure limits for phosphine by 18 months was a clear example of advocacy in action.
“Working alongside GrainGrowers and other industry organisations, we successfully advocated for more time to implement changes to phosphine exposure limits that would have created significant uncertainty for grain growers and the supply chain during harvest,” Ms Johnson said.
“This was a practical outcome that recognised the importance of worker safety while giving industry more time to develop the evidence, guidance and systems needed to implement the changes.
“It also demonstrates what can be achieved when agricultural organisations work together, speak with a united voice and put practical solutions in front of decision-makers.”
The membership follows significant work undertaken by NSW Farmers and GrainGrowers throughout 2026 to establish a stronger approach to national grains representation.
NSW Farmers Grains Committee Chair, Adrian Roles, said membership of GrainGrowers is an exciting opportunity that gives NSW growers a stronger national advocacy pathway.
“Growers don’t want industry organisations pulling in different directions when we are trying to solve the same problems,” Mr Roles said.
“We want a grains industry that can come together around the big issues, put practical solutions on the table and speak with real weight when we go to government.
“Whether we’re dealing with input costs, regulation, trade, biosecurity, research or market access, we want the best outcome for grain-growing businesses.”
GrainGrowers Chair, Rhys Turton, said the membership marked an important step in strengthening national advocacy for grain growers.
“The challenges facing grain growers don’t stop at state borders, and neither should our advocacy,” Mr Turton said.
“This partnership is about bringing growers together, strengthening their voice and making sure we’re advocating for practical outcomes that matter on farm. When industry is aligned, governments listen, and that’s how we achieve practical outcomes for growers.”
