As part of its 60th Anniversary celebrations, national grain farmer representative body, GrainGrowers, remembered the farmers from the North Star and Croppa Creek regions who came together to work to gain recognition for the high quality grain they grew.
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The Fields of Gold dinner drew together farmers, especially descendants of the original growers who formed the Premium Wheatgrowers Association (PWA). More than a hundred farmers and industry representatives had a chance to network and discuss their industry and common problems, trends, goals and solutions concerning grain growers today, while also enjoying good food and wine.
READ MORE: Golden Triangle celebrates 60th anniversary
For the most part, the event was a trek down memory lane all the way back to 1958 when the growers established the PWA to campaign to have the segregation of wheat introduced by the Australian Wheat Board.
The seed was laid two years earlier in 1956, at the first meeting held at North Star memorial Hall where growers got together to campaign to have segregation of wheat introduced by the Australian Wheat Board, so that their high quality grain would be rewarded with a premium price.
The original committee was:
Mr R Heferen (Moree) – President
Mr J Thompson (North Star)
Mr J Quinell (Boggabilla)
Mr H Pearlman (North Star)
Mr R Klowss (Croppa Creek).
“Everything was regulated in those days – from the transport, handling, marketing to even the varieties that could be grown for harvest. Growers were paid for their grain according to a Fair Average Quality scheme which stifled innovation and ingenuity. Growers who could produce higher quality grain in the north western region of NSW came together to change the situation,” said GrainGrowers Chairman John Eastburn.
“GrainGrowers continues to champion for grain farmers and delivering improved outcomes on modern policy challenges, such as international trade agreements; investment in freight routes to lower costs; and reduced red tape on farm businesses.”
Today, GrainGrowers has more than 17,000 grain farmer members across Australia. The organisation continues to focus on issues affecting grain farmer profitability including wheat quality.
