GrainGrowers recently hosted delegates from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and NSW Farmers on a tour of the Riverina grain growing region as part of the 2026 Grains Immersion Tour.
Run annually since 2016, the GrainGrowers Immersion Tour provides government decision-makers and policy representatives with firsthand insights into the grain supply chain through direct engagement with growers, researchers, bulk handlers and other key industry participants.
As these representatives work in grain policy every day, it is critical they have the opportunity to see how government decisions influence operations across the supply chain, helping connect policy development with the practical realities faced by industry participants.
GrainGrowers would like to thank the growers and organisations who hosted visits on this year’s tour for their hospitality and insightful presentations about their role in the industry.
The first stop on the tour was the Boorowa Agricultural Research Station (BARS), which is a purpose built 290-hectare facility where CSIRO conducts research on emerging technologies, crop breeding and farm systems to develop Australian farms of the future.
The tour also visited the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) research facility at Charles Sturt University, which aims to improve the productivity and resilience of farming systems in Southern NSW through industry driven research, development and regulatory services.
At Eromross Farm at Temora, Bruce Thompson took delegates on a tour of the farm, which grows wheat, canola, faba beans and field peas before the tour moved to Riverina Oils and Bio Energy.
The site contains a fully integrated oilseed crushing and refining plant, which sources certified Australian non-GM canola oilseed from local farmers and growers around the Riverina region.
At Hart Bros Seeds at Erin Vale, delegates learned about the family-owned contract seed production, processing and marketing business, which provides quality seed to the Australian and international seed industry.
The final stop was GrainCorp’s Temora facility which is a major receival site for grain and oil seeds in Southern NSW with primary rail connections to export facilities at Port Kembla.
Each stop provided an opportunity to engage with participants in the grain supply chain and discuss the key challenges and opportunities facing growers and the wider grains industry.
This then helped inform discussion about the policy issues and solutions that are needed to ensure the long-term success, growth and resilience of Australia’s grain industry.