The GRDC Board is accountable to Australia's grain growers, through the industry peak organisation and to the Commonwealth Parliament, through the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The GRDC Board normally has between seven and nine directors.

The Chairman is selected and appointed by the Minister. Mr Keith Perrett was appointed by the Minister on 1 October 2007, and reappointed until 30 September 2013.

The Managing Director is appointed by the Board of the Corporation. The Managing Director is the sole Executive Director and holds office at the Corporation's pleasure. John Harvey was appointed as the GRDC’s Managing Director on 1 March 2011.

Five to seven Directors are appointed by the Minister, on advice from a selection committee selected by the Minister. On 22 November 2011 the Minister announced the appointment of 6 directors, until 30 September 2014.

During the harvest period, biosecurity risks are heightened due to factors including extensive movement of vehicles and machinery, and the exchange of seed between growers.

With predictions of the worst mouse plague in living memory this spring and summer, the GRDC is stepping up its research and control programs.

Growers pay the price if biosecurity concerns are ignored, says Queensland’s Peter Mifsud

Identifying the insects that transmit crop diseases and the plants that host disease between cropping seasons is a crucial part of research efforts that will help manage and control the spread of both established and exotic viruses.

The focus of this paper is on the wheat industry.

• Traditional exporters, the United States, Canada, Australia and Argentina, export about 65 million metric tonnes (MMT) per year.

• Of this, Australia exports about 12 MMT/yr.

• Black Sea port countries export about 34 MMT/ year.

• Population is a long-term driver for wheat demand.

• World area planted is about 200 million hectares and yield growth is the key to meeting demand.

• The risky world market is driven by inelastic (near vertical) demand and supply relationships.

• Shares of total world exports and shares of total world wheat production over the period 1960/61 to 2009/10 have declined for both Canada and the United States while Australia’s shares have remained steady. Can this be continued into the future? The Black Sea port countries have dramatically increased their shares.

• There are many importing countries with most importing less than 5 per cent of total exports.

• Australian wheat is valued by importers but has some challenges in relation to consistency, quality management and information provision.

• Different end-products require different wheat qualities and different qualities provide the foundation for price discrimination.

The South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA) has described as a fantastic result the granting of an emergency permit allowing Western Australian canola growers to use an alternative insecticide to combat diamondback moth (DBM).

Take home messages
• No one control option will work
• Moisture availability is a key regulator of slug and snail populations
• Need to understand underlying biology
• Baiting at establishment is still the best emergency control option

A leading agricultural economist has told growers that Australia’s yield variability caused by drought and the inherently unstable world wheat markets make risk management a vital part of production.

Take home messages
• Biosecurity is the protection of farms, industries and the natural environment that could be harmed through the introduction of new pests.
• This is achieved by detecting new pests early and preventing establishment through excellent farm hygiene and vigilance.
• These practices will reduce the impact of exotic pest threats, protect grain export markets and reduce potential pest management costs and income loss.