The Queensland government and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) have announced a joint $12 million investment in research aimed at strengthening export market access and post harvest safety.
The funding will support research at the Department of Primary Industries’ Post Harvest Commodity Protection Laboratories and the Hermitage research facility near Warwick.
The Post Harvest Grains Research Project will focus on issues affecting grain after harvest, including insect detection, pest monitoring, fumigation practices and grain storage safety.
Research priorities include developing technology to improve the detection of stored grain insects and insecticide resistance, monitoring and mapping insect incursions, improving fumigation practices to reduce reliance on contact insecticides, and addressing resistance in five common stored grain pests: lesser grain borer, red flour beetle, rice weevil, rusty grain beetle and saw toothed grain beetle.
The project will also investigate improved methods for removing harmful gases from grain storage facilities to help the industry comply with updated SafeWork Australia regulations expected to take effect before 2027.
According to the government, the research is intended to help growers reduce post harvest losses, minimise insect damage and chemical residues, and maintain access to export markets. It is also expected to support the continued use of phosphine, which remains one of the grain industry’s most widely used fumigants.
“This initiative is about protecting our grain growers from costly post-harvest losses while ensuring Queensland’s grains export market remains globally competitive,” minister for primary industries Tony Perrett said.
“These targeted projects will deliver practical solutions to safeguard growers’ profitability and strengthen the long-term sustainability of our industry.”
GRDC managing director Nigel Hart said the research would provide practical outcomes for grain growers.
“These projects will provide our producers with the tools, technologies and information they need to meet evolving safety standards and maintain access to critical markets,” Hart said.
“By focusing on innovation and collaboration, we’re delivering real-world solutions that will help growers reduce grain storage losses, boost productivity and safeguard profitability.”
