Mark Allison has been appointed the new chair of WA’s Craig Mostyn Group from December.

• GRDC welcomes new directors
• Gawel leaving GGL, joining AFPA
• Allison joins Craig Mostyn Group
• Herrmann elected VFF vice president
• McDonagh voted president of ICA
• New appointments to CRDC board
• Ryan named QAM president
• Bolt, Balowska join GIWA board
• AgriFutures welcomes new board
• Wali named new CropLife president
• CSD appoints advisory panel
• ACIAR appointments
• GRDC Research Scholarship program

GRDC welcomes new directors

Three new directors have been appointed to join the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s alongside the four existing directors who have been reappointed.

Victorian grain and livestock producer John Bennett

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins announced the appointments for three-year terms which began October 1.

The new directors include Victorian grain and livestock producer John Bennett, who operates a diversified family farming operation in the west Wimmera; Robert Hulme, a fifth-generation farmer based in New South Wales who has worked for 30 years in global agribusiness; and grain grower Brian McAlpine from Latham in Western Australia.

GRDC Board chair Sharon Starick welcomed the new directors and congratulated Shaun Coffey from the Northern Territory, Andrew Earle from NSW, Natalie Sommerville from South Australia and Bindi Turner from NSW on their reappointment.

“John, Robert and Brian will bring valuable perspectives from across Australia’s grain-growing regions as well as global agribusiness, and I look forward to the contribution they will make to GRDC and to the industry,” Ms Starick said.

Ms Starick thanked outgoing directors Richard Heath, Kellie Benda and Bob Nixon for their service to GRDC and the grains industry.

Gawel leaving GGL, joining AFPA

GrainGrowers’ chief executive officer Shona Gawel has resigned and will finish with the organisation prior to Christmas in order to take up the role as Australian Forest Products Association CEO in January 2027.

Shona Gawel

GrainGrowers chair Rhys Turton thanked Ms Gawel for her contribution to the grains sector and her leadership.

“Shona’s passion for GrainGrowers and our industry has ensured Australia’s grain farmers have benefited from outstanding advocacy, which has guaranteed action and results on the challenges facing growers in uncertain times,” Mr Turton said.

“She has been a great leader of our organisation and ambassador for the grains sector.

“While Shona will be sorely missed, we wish her all the best in her new role.”

Ms Gawel said it had been “an honour and a privilege to serve as CEO of GrainGrowers”.

“I would also like to recognise the many incredible staff I have worked with during my time, whose dedication, expertise and hard work have helped us achieve so many great things as GrainGrowers.”

Retiring CMG chair Neil Kearney

Allison joins Craig Mostyn Group

WA agribusiness group Craig Mostyn Group has appointed former Elders managing director and CEO Mark Allison to its board.

As part of a structured board succession plan, Mr Allison will replace current chair Neil Kearney when he retires in December.

Mr Kearney said Mr Allison’s knowledge of the Australian agribusiness landscape and his track record of performance at the companies he served were important factors in his selection for the board.

“Mark has been a leading figure in Australian agribusiness for decades, and his knowledge, passion and expertise will be an important asset for Craig Mostyn as it embraces its second century of operations,” Mr Kearney said.

Mr Allison said he was looking forward to joining CMG during a pivotal time at the organisation.

“Craig Mostyn is at an interesting point in its current lifecycle; there are global challenges we need to confront, such as geopolitical trade restrictions and their price impacts, but also immense opportunities to supply WA protein to an expanding and more affluent consumer base,” Mr Allison said.

Herrmann elected VFF vice president

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) appointed Peter Herrmann as its new vice president at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting this afternoon.

Peter Herrmann

“Peter’s rice-farming qualifications, alongside his environmental law degree, mean he is a font of knowledge, especially in the realm of agricultural land and water use,” NFF president Hamish McIntyre said.

“I’m also looking forward to continuing to work with Dr Tracy Sullivan, who has retained her role as Director.

“I’d like to acknowledge the lengthy service that outgoing Vice President John Hassell has given to the ag industry.

“Also finishing their terms as Committee Chairs are Malcolm Holm, Tony York, Angus Atkinson and Bron Christensen.

“I’m pleased to welcome Ange Hutchinson as our Sustainable Development and Climate Change Committee Chair, Perin Davey as our Water Committee Chair, John Lowe as our Economic Policy & Farm Business Committee Chair, and Stephanie Terry as our Workforce Committee Chair.

“I’m also pleased to advise that Peter Thompson remains as our Telecommunications & Social Policy Committee Chair, and Chris Groves remains as our Farming Systems Committee Chair.”

Peter Hermann’s appointment to Vice President leaves a casual vacancy on the NFF Board, which Directors will fill at a later date.

McDonagh voted president of ICA

Australia’s Eimear McDonagh has been appointed the president of the International Cotton Association at its annual general meeting, which took place during the association’s Istanbul 2026 trade event.

Eimear McDonagh

Ms McDonagh is a director of Hang Tung Resources and also a board member of the Australian Cotton Shippers Association.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the Australian and global cotton industry, Eimear brings extensive knowledge, strong global relationships and a passion for connecting and strengthening the international cotton community.

She is also a founding member of the ICA’s Women in Cotton initiative, and is an advocate for diversity and collaboration across the industry.

“Our ICA has an extraordinary history,” Ms McDonagh said.

“We should be proud of it, grateful to those who built it and ambitious about what we hand to the next generation because an association is not made strong simply by the number of people who belong to it; it is made strong by the connections between them.”

“Cotton is, quite literally, a thread that connects the world, and I can think of no better ambition for our ICA than to do the same.”

New appointments to CRDC board

The Federal Government has appointed six directors to the Cotton Research and Development Corporation Board.

Nigel Burnett is a former chair of Cotton Australia

These include Bernard George and Sally Morgan as reappointments alongside new board members Nigel Burnett, Rebecca Thistlethwaite, Alexandra Lobb and Andrew Watson.

The directors bring a diverse mix of skills, industry knowledge and governance experience that will support the CRDC Board’s work in cotton R&D and extension.

The directors have been appointed for a three-year term starting October 1 on a part-time basis.

“These appointments position the CRDC Board to continue supporting our world class cotton industry with research, development and extension that helps Australian cotton growers to seize opportunities for a strong future,” Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said.

“I thank outgoing directors for their contribution to the CRDC Board and cotton research and development, and wish them every success for the future.”

Ryan named QAM president

Toowoomba-based grain merchant Bobbi Ryan has been appointed the new president of the Queensland Agricultural Merchants following the organisation’s annual general meeting last Thursday.

Ms Ryan takes over from Scott Merson, also of Toowoomba, who has held the role since 2022.

She has been a grain merchant with CHS Broadbent for six years and held a similar role with COFCO International Australia.

Andrew Bolt of Demeter Grains and Justyna Balowska of Byfields Business Advisers have joined the GIWA board.

Bolt, Balowska join GIWA board

Andrew Bolt of Demeter Grains and Justyna Balowska of Byfields Business Advisers were elected to the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia board at its 2026 Annual General Meeting on October 7.

GIWA chair Tress Walmsley was returned unopposed after three years in the role.

Mr Bolt, who chairs the GIWA Oat Council, replaces Ashley Wiese as the Oat Council’s Board representative with Mr Wiese remaining on as deputy chair of the GIWA Oat Council.

Ms Balowska was elected treasurer of the GIWA Board, replacing Eamonn Lanagan, also from Byfields, who has served as treasurer for the past five years, the maximum term allowable under GIWA’s Constitution.

The confirmed GIWA Board delegates are returning Wheat Council Chair Tracy Lefroy, a Bindi Bindi grower; Barley Council deputy chair Linda Hewson, a Broomehill grower; new Oat Council Chair Andrew Bolt; Oilseeds Council Deputy Chair Peter Bostock of Pioneer Seeds; and Pulses Council Chair Ruth Young, a Calingiri grower.

Independent seats confirmed at the AGM included Dr Ben Biddulph of CSIRO for agronomy and R&D, Ms Balowska as the new commercial skills representative, InterGrain CEO Tress Walmsley for plant breeding, Kellie Todman of CBH Group for handling and storage, and co-opted R&D representative Dr Kaara Klepper of the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

AgriFutures welcomes new board

AgriFutures Australia has welcomed five new directors to its seven-member board, marking the next chapter in the organisation’s commitment to invest in RD&E that grows the productivity, profitability and preparedness of Australian primary industries.

Mark Narustrang has a connection to the WA grains industry, spending ten years on the GIWA board and ten years working for CBH Group.

The board was appointed by Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, and commenced October 1 for a three-year term.

Reappointments are Danny Le Feuvre and Dr Harjeet Khanna , and new directors are Dr Catherine Ainsworth, Anna Cochrane, Allison Harker, Joel Kopanica and Mark Narustrang.

AgriFutures chair Mick Veitch, welcomed the new and returning directors, highlighting the importance of strong governance and diverse perspectives in responding to the opportunities and challenges facing Australian primary industries.

‘The new board brings experience and perspective that will help guide AgriFutures as we continue this valuable work” Mr Veitch said.

“I am grateful to our outgoing directors for the knowledge and insights they have contributed to AgriFutures.

“Their work has helped shape our investments in research and innovation that respond to industry needs and deliver value for Australian primary industries.”

Wali named new CropLife president

BASF Australia head of agricultural solutions for Australia and New Zealand Parvana Wali, is the new president and chair of the board of directors of CropLife Australia, the peak organisation for Australia’s plant-science sector

Parvana Wali

Ms Wali has assumed the presidency from Warren Inwood who served on the board for four years, with the final two as president.

Ms Wali will be joined on CropLife’s executive by Syngenta Australia country head and managing director ANZ David Van Ryswyk as vice-president of crop protection and stewardship, Bayer CropScience head of crop protection Australia and New Zealand Tony May as vice-president of crop biotechnology, and Nufarm Australia commercial general manager Peter O’Keeffe as chair of the Corporate Governance Committee.

In addition to the executive, the CropLife Australia Board for 2026-27 includes:

• UPL Limited sub-regional head for the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand Michael Caldwall;
• Nutrien Ag Solutions managing director Adrian Capogreco;
• Corteva Agriscience Australia Asia-Pacific marketing and commercial effectiveness leader for Australia-NZ and Japan-Korea Kent Davies;
• FMC Australasia managing director for Australia and New Zealand David Elmouttie;
• Elders Limited divisional CEO of crop protection Nick Fazekas;
• Sumitomo Chemical Australia managing director Murray Hern;
• Accensi chief executive Mark Herron;
• Sipcam Pacific Australia head of Asia-Pacific Damien Ryan; and,
• Adama Australia chief executive Steven Scott.

The two board-appointed directors for 2026-27 are Thea Dickinson, Grocery Lead (Woolworths & Coles) at Mars Australia, and Kate Stone, managing director and head of corporate finance at Bank of America.

Mark Herron will continue as chair of the Agsafe Board, CropLife Australia’s not-for-profit stewardship organisation.

The new CSD advisory panel.

CSD appoints advisory panel

Grower, advisor and industry representatives from across the Australian cotton industry met for the first time as part of Cotton Seed Distributors’ (CSD) new advisory panel, held at the company’s headquarters in Wee Waa, NSW this month.

CSD CEO Ian Taylor said 24 representatives from cotton-grower associations, growing areas, and the broader industry took a day out of their work to get an in-depth introduction on how CSD delivers the best seed possible into every bag.

“The role of the CSD Advisory Panel is to provide perspectives from industry to inform and shape our key strategic and operational priorities, keeping our seed quality, varieties, technologies and activities closely aligned with the evolving needs of the Australian cotton industry,” Dr Taylor said.

“The panel is part of our strong commitment to work together with industry – it is in addition to the conversations we have daily working with customers and at our field days and grower meetings across the country.”

Dr Taylor said now the Advisory Panel has a firmer knowledge of CSD operations, they are encouraged to share that with their growing areas and bring feedback and thoughts to future meetings.

ACIAR appointments

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong this month announced the new appointments to the Australia’s Commission for International Agricultural Research.

They are:

GGA director Erin Gorter

• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry secretary Victoria Anderson;
• University of Wollongong Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security chair professor Neil Andrew;
• Australian National University Crawford School of Public Policy honorary professor Christopher Findlay;
• Grower Group Alliance director Erin Gorter;
• ANU professor of forestry Peter Kanowski; and,
• Australian Public Policy Institute chair Peter Varghese.

Commission chair Fiona Simson has been appointed for another term.

The commission provides expert advice to the Federal Government on international agricultural research programs, research priorities and the allocation of program funding through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

Each member was chosen for their expertise in specific areas of international agricultural research, governance and board leadership, science and innovation, and development policy.

Senator Wong thanked outgoing commissioners Professor Lindsay Falvey, Dr Michelle Freeman, Lukina Lukin, Dr Beth Woods and Tony York for their service to the commission and commitment to sustainable agricultural development.

GRDC Research Scholarship program

The GRDC has strengthened its investment in the next generation of grains researchers by supporting 21 recipients through the 2026 GRDC Research Scholarship (GRS) program, the largest cohort in the program’s history.

The number of annual scholarships increased from 14 to 21 in 2026, highlighting GRDC’s commitment to building research capacity and capability for the future of the Australian grains industry.

The 2026 cohort is helping drive innovation across the sector, undertaking PhD research aligned with priority areas critical to improving productivity, sustainability and profitability for Australian grain growers.

The three-year top-up scholarship provides financial and industry support, enabling recipients to focus on high-impact research aligned with GRDC’s RD&E Plan 2023-28.

“The GRDC Research Scholarship program is a critical investment in the next generation of researchers who will help solve complex challenges facing Australian grain growers,” GRDC managing director Nigel Hart said.

“By supporting these scholars early in their careers, we are strengthening the pipeline of skilled researchers working on issues that matter most to industry, from disease resistance and biosecurity to climate resilience and sustainable production systems.”

Scholarship recipient Jhon Alexander Avellaneda Nieto

The 2026 GRDC Research Scholarship recipients:

• Arzlan Abbas – University of Queensland: Investigating the fall armyworm virome to improve sustainable pest management strategies in Australian paddock systems;
• Ammar Ali – Murdoch University: Deciphering phosphine resistance mechanisms in diapausing warehouse beetle to protect stored grain systems;
• Jhon Alexander Avellaneda Nieto – Murdoch University: Enhancing biological control in canola through conditioning natural enemies for more targeted, field-based pest management;
• Lauren Coakley – The University of Melbourne: Advancing biological control approaches to support sustainable pest management in grain production systems;
• Riley Furbank – Australian National University: Improving climate resilience and productivity in sorghum through precise manipulation of cellular signalling pathways;
• Lachlan Gretrix – La Trobe University: Enhancing the quantification and interpretability of insect metabarcoding datasets for improved biosecurity and pest surveillance;
• Suprikesh Kadlag – Murdoch University: Developing narrow-leafed lupin cultivars with improved aphid resistance for more resilient pulse production systems;
• Dan Liu – University of Queensland (UQ): Accelerating barley resistance breeding using haplotype-based mapping and AI-guided gene stacking strategies;
• Haofu Liu – University of Melbourne: Developing next-generation biodegradable coatings to improve fertiliser efficiency and environmental outcomes;
• Muhammad Arslan Mahmood – Australian National University: Engineering durable resistance to blackleg disease in canola through targeted gene identification and deployment;
• Yue Ming – University of Melbourne: Advancing fertiliser technologies to improve nutrient use efficiency in grain cropping systems;
• Cheng Qian – UQ: Investigating root system plasticity to enhance yield stability and productivity in sorghum under variable conditions;
• Maximilian Schaap – UQ: Improving nitrogen use efficiency in northern grain systems through understanding denitrification dynamics and mitigation strategies;
• MD Shamsuzzaman – University of Sydney: Identifying the genetic basis of stress tolerance in wheat to support adaptation to increasingly variable environments;
• Abu Bakar Siddique – University of Tasmania: Improving heat stress tolerance in wheat by targeting pollen viability, stay-green traits and spikelet fertility;
• Laura Steinhardt – UQ: Exploring epigenetic mechanisms underpinning net blotch resistance in barley;
• Ko-Hsuan Tsao – University of Melbourne: Unravelling mechanisms of fungicide resistance in blackleg, Leptosphaeria maculans, to support sustainable disease management;
• Brendan Vouaedge – Macquarie University: Understanding how changing climate conditions influence virus epidemics and crop losses in Australian cereals;
• Karishin Chamindi Wijesingha Arachige – La Trobe University: Functional characterisation and pyramiding of leaf rust resistance genes in elite barley cultivars; and
• Cong Zhao – University of Sydney: Improving genetic resistance to Fusarium crown rot in wheat for greater disease resilience in cropping systems.

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