SA Grain Industry Awards

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (15:23): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister please update the chamber about the recent inaugural Grain Industry Awards night hosted by GPSA?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:23): I appreciated the opportunity to recently join over 300 industry leaders, grain producers, researchers, agribusiness professionals, along with many members from this place, as well as the Hon. Tony Piccolo from the other place, at an amazing event celebrating the individuals and businesses driving innovation, sustainability and leadership in the grains industry here in South Australia.

The event was sponsored by PIRSA and was the inaugural South Australian Grain Industry Awards held at Adelaide Oval, and it was the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the important role the industry plays here in South Australia. The estimated farmgate value of the grains industry in South Australia is currently $2.1 billion, which as members would acknowledge is down on the bumper crops of recent years, due to the ongoing challenges associated with the drought and other challenging weather conditions.

Despite these challenges, the industry took the opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution the industry makes and continues to make by feeding the nation, along with being a key contributor to the South Australian economy. I congratulate Grain Producers South Australia and its CEO, Brad Perry, and his team for initiating this inaugural event to highlight the importance of the industry.

Some of the major announcements at the dinner included the announcement of the first South Australian Grains Industry Hall of Fame inductees, which honoured five individuals whose contributions have shaped the industry over generations. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners of the inaugural awards night and acknowledge the significant contribution they have all made to this critical industry.

The Innovation Award was won by Sam Trengove, who was recognised for his outstanding contributions to agronomic research and development, including groundbreaking trials that are set to revolutionise farming practices, particularly in low rainfall years, which is obviously particularly pertinent at the moment. The Sustainability Award was won by Tim Paschke, acknowledged for his commitment to soil health and sustainable farming techniques, achieving remarkable production results despite minimal growing season rainfall.

The Women in Grain Award was won by Lou Flohr, celebrated for her leadership and influence in the grains industry, including her active roles in governance, advocacy and industry mentorship. The Industry Impact Award was won by Professor Christopher Preston, who was recognised for his significant contributions to agricultural research and advocacy for responsible chemical use in broadacre farming.

The Young Grain Producer of the Year is Jock McNeil, acknowledged for his innovative approach to farming in the Mallee and his leadership in adopting new technologies to manage soil and weeds. Andrew Polkinghorne is the Grain Producer of the Year, recognised for his forward-thinking approach to farming, global research on grain industry trends through a Churchill Fellowship, and lessons applied in succession planning processes within his family business.

I also want to congratulate the inaugural inductees of the South Australian Grains Industry Hall of Fame. Interestingly, two particular awards were for historical inductees. Given this was the first grains awards night of its type, that was particularly fitting. First of all, in terms of historical inductees, was John Ridley, the inventor of the Ridley stripper, which was the world's first successful mechanical grain harvester and of course revolutionised globally grain production. Richard and Clarence Smith were the pioneers of the stump-jump plough, an innovation that allowed for broadacre cropping on previously unusable land.

Then we came to the modern inductees. John Lush is a highly respected grains industry advocate, the inaugural chair of Grain Producers SA and a key figure in industry leadership at both state and national levels. Dr Allan Mayfield is a renowned researcher, agronomist and industry leader, with a legacy in grains research and development. Ken Schaefer was sadly a posthumous inductee, but he was a passionate industry advocate who was instrumental in establishing the South Australian Grain Industry Trust, supporting millions of dollars in research funding.

I am sure everyone in this place will join me in congratulating all the award winners and inductees into the grains hall of fame. Once again, I thank the entire grains industry for hosting this wonderful event.