MUCH has changed in Australia’s grains industry since John Eastburn became a member in 1974.
Last week, as GrainGrowers Limited celebrated its 60th anniversary, Mr Eastburn retired during the annual general meeting in Dubbo, winding up 12 years as a director, including a nine-year stint as chairman.
Going out on a high, Mr Eastburn was supported at the celebrations by his wife, Loren, and parents, Dorothy and Ian, who joined members in acknowledging his long stewardship of the national organisation.
In 1974 it had been five years since the Premium Wheatgrowers Association (established at Narrabri in 1958) had prime hard and northern FAQ (fair average quality) accepted in international wheat markets. In 1977 the body changed its name to Prime Wheat Association (PWA).
In 1988 PWA merged with the Hard and Soft Wheatgrowers Association and in 1992 purchased the assets of the NSW Government owned Grain Handling Authority, later named GrainCorp.
Mr Eastburn became a director in 2006 several years after the merger of PWA and Victorian Grain Services to form GrainGrowers Limited, and became chairman in the company’s 50th year.
While reflecting last week, Mr Eastburn mentioned one of the largest changes to the wheat industry was when growers began to receive a premium for wheat registering over 13 per cent protein, thanks to the PWA.
“This past financial year recorded another positive net profit result of $4.42 million and our capital base now sits at around $108m,” Mr Eastburn said.
National membership boasts more than 17,000.
However, the current and past recent years have not been kind to farmers.
“Many of us are without farm income this year, and for some this is the second year or longer,” he said.
“Grain farms in many areas are facing the stress and uncertainty of seasonal impacts.
“Weather-wise, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting more of the same and we face significant upfront costs ahead if the weather patterns allow you to see new crops, if the seed is available.”
Mr Eastburn said GrainGrowers worked a lot with government in the past 12 months to ensure national drought policies and measures, including risk management tools targeted at grain farmers.
“We’ve targeted telecommunication black spots and improved road access for large and oversize agricultural equipment we own today,” he said.
“The need to move across and along public roads from farm to farm is of utmost importance.
“Reducing freight costs for growers and ensuring we have access to agricultural chemicals are other important measures.
“I thought the Four Corners program on glysophate failed to do as well as they could once they recognised they were not going to have the same victory as they did with live cattle exports.”
New leader
A director since 2015, Victorian farmer Brett Hosking, Woodlands, Quambatook, was elected the new chairman.
He is a fifth-generation farmer running a mixed enterprise operation and thanked Mr Eastburn for his long and passionate contribution to GrainGrowers and decades-long commitment to grain farmers since he joined the organisation in 1974.
Mr Hosking served as Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) grains group president from 2013 to 2017 and is immediate past vice-president of the VFF.
“Under John’s leadership GrainGrowers has matured into a strong national organisation that is well placed to represent the interests of Australia’s grain growers in 2018 and beyond,” Mr Hosking said.
“GrainGrowers is now in a strong position and I am excited and eager to carry on John’s work in ensuring that our growers’ voices are heard by industry decision makers and government, particularly in the run up to the federal election next year.”
Western Australia farmer, Rod Birch, Catalina Farms, Coorow, remains as deputy chair.
Northern vote
The two northern region director positions received three nominations.
Andrew Carberry, Cadarga, Narrabri, was re-elected with former national policy group northern region member, Peter Thompson, Echo Hills Farming Company, Roma, Queensland, elected for the first time.
