Below is a summary of some of the topics discussed during the Wheat Council's latest meetings
October 2024
The Wheat Council is advancing communication-focused project proposals aligned with Grains Australia’s Market Education pillar.
A project aiming to identify wheat quality preferences in key South East Asian markets is now contracted and is being delivered by the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) following its endorsement by the Wheat Council at its June meeting. The Wheat Council has endorsed a new project proposal to better understand wheat quality preferences in North Asia markets.
A project focused on the Japanese udon market has received Council endorsement.
Representatives from Australian Crop Breeders were invited to share insights with the Wheat and Barley Councils on healthy plant breeding and tackling misdeclaration issues.
June 2024
The Wheat Council is developing strategic priorities based around Grains Australia’s four pillars: Classification, Trade and Market Access, Market Insights, and Market Education. Areas for action are being set within each pillar and projects for investment are under active consideration, while others are under development.
Earlier in 2024 the Council established trade and technical working groups that are both planning and calling in additional data and analyses, actively driving issues forward.
The Council is exploring all aspects of establishing a soft wheat class, with detailed research and modelling around application of the proposed class.
The Council is always open to new proposals. Industry participants are encouraged to contact Council members or Grains Australia executive staff to raise concepts and ideas or discuss work already in progress.
March 2024
The Wheat Council and Grains Australia Executive have spent considerable effort developing a standardised Class Modification Framework for the establishment and modification of wheat classes. This framework is now complete and will be used to evaluate future wheat class changes:
The framework provides industry with a clear pathway to engage with the Wheat Council on the introduction of new classes and modifications to existing classes
The framework ensures that the classification decision making process of the Council is strategically focused, thoroughly considers opportunities and risks, and liaises strongly with industry
A process map detailing the framework will be provided to industry soon, along with the template that industry can use to propose classification improvements to Council.
An export-focused soft white wheat class has been proposed to the Wheat Council to allow Australian growers to access new markets. This concept is being evaluated using the recently adopted Class Modification Framework which has identified several areas that need further input from industry experts. The Wheat Council will liaise with industry in the near term to help progress the development of this new and exciting class concept.
The Wheat Council recognises there are more opportunities that could be pursued to improve the value of the Australian wheat industry than it has resources to address. Wheat Council has therefore begun developing a strategic priorities plan to guide future Wheat Council activities and research investment:
Wheat Council will seek input from industry bodies into the development of its strategic priorities plan.
The criteria for wheat variety eligibility into the Australian Innovative Wheat class were refined by the Wheat Council to provide greater clarity to breeders and other stakeholders. Updated guidelines will be provided to breeders.
October 2023
The Wheat Council will develop a set of strategic priorities for the wheat industry, with a particular focus on the four pillars of Grains Australia.
The process for ‘old variety’ removal from the master list was reviewed by Council and supported. Grains Australia will develop this into a policy to support transparency and rigour in the maintenance of the variety master list.
The Wheat Council spent time understanding the advocacy work that US Wheat Associates and Cereals Canada undertake in the marketplace. This was contrasted with the research and education work undertaken by the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC). Council will, as part of its strategic priority setting, look for ways that the value of Australian wheat can be best supported by industry.
The Wheat Council is reviewing the framework of the establishment and modification of class systems.