Tactical AGA agronomist Wayne Firth inspects a crop of corn growing in south-west Victoria in April. Photo: Tactical AGA

THE Maize Association of Australia has joined Grain Producers Australia to amplify its voice, and bringing one of Australia’s most versatile and widely grown grain crops into GPA’s national representation.

Maize is grown from tropical North Queensland to Victoria and Tasmania and across to southern Western Australia and the Northern Territory, giving it one of the widest geographic spreads of any Australian field crop.

Maize grain is used for breakfast cereals, popcorn, cornflour, and stockfeed, and maize crops can be cut green for silage that powers dairy and beef operations.

Rising meat and dairy consumption across Asia is lifting demand for feedgrain, and maize is well placed to supply it.

Monthly maize export values reached a record high in late 2023, and climate modelling shows eastern New South Wales remaining highly suitable for the crop through to 2050.

“Maize is a fundamental part of Australian grain growing, and it is a crop with real momentum in domestic feed markets, in export markets and in the paddock.,” GPA chair and northern NSW grower Matthew Madden said.

“The MAA has built a strong industry community, and GPA is delighted to welcome it.”

The MAA will draw on GPA’s national platform to advance the issues that matter most to maize growers and the industry around them, namely:

• Chemical permits and registrations: GPA and the MAA will work together on the data needed to make permit and registration applications simpler, faster and more robust;

• Chemical and pesticide regulation: A co-ordinated voice to regulators on access to the tools maize growers need to manage weeds, pests and resistance;

• GRDC research and development investment: A strong case that maize priorities are reflected in how grower levies are invested; and,

• National grain policy: An empowered maize voice when national grain policy is developed.

The MAA remains the dedicated home of maize growers, seed companies, traders and researchers, and continues to run the events that bring them together, including the triennial Australian Summer Grains Conference.

“Maize is a growing, valuable crop, and joining GPA gives our growers and industry a broader grain advocacy platform and a more coordinated voice on chemical permits, regulation, GRDC investment and national policy,” MAA chair Andrew Cogswell said.

“We look forward to working with GPA to make the most of it.”

GPA adds national representation and policy experience, so maize is heard clearly in Canberra.

“Every crop strengthens the grain industry when it is in the room,” Mr Madden said.

“We look forward to working with Andrew and the MAA team to make sure maize’s opportunities and priorities are heard in every national discussion that affects growers,” Mr Madden said.

GPA represents Australian broadacre grain, pulse and oilseed producers on national policy, research and biosecurity issues.

The MAA represents all sectors of the maize industry, from growers and seed companies to traders and researchers, and gives the industry a voice in national decision-making.

Source: GPA, MAA