Single Vision Grains Australia is an independent organisation funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

Our vision is to achieve a united, vibrant and internationally competitive Australian Grains Industry.

We aim to achieve this by taking the lead on major challenges facing the industry including: infrastructure, biotechnology and genetically modified crops, communications and biofuels.

Single Vision Grains Australia has established projects to address these critical industry challenges and regular updates will be reported through this website.

Project news and updates

Biofuels from grain - Do we eat it or burn it?

Single Vision's position on biofuels is that the Australian Grains Industry needs to take a leadership role in the alternative energy debate if it is to have a profitable and sustainable biofuels future.  Climate change, water and fuel security concerns are forcing the Australian Grains Industry to reconsider its traditional role as a food producer and begin exploring the prospect of biofuel production.

The Green Paper Prospects for a viable grain based Australian Biofuels Industry identify these factors along with the advent of second-generation biotechnologies and increasing economic efficiencies in the sector as indications that the industry may not remain in its traditional form, which could provide new opportunities for the Australian Grains Industry.

In this new space, agriculture is not the right word to describe what might occur. A better term, and one that is gaining considerable currency, is the idea of the ‘Bioeconomy’.

Second-generation technologies such as lignocelluloses conversion and pyrolysis, mean that ‘biomass’ rather than ‘food’ becomes the primary feedstock, which means the costs of production reduce, net outputs increase and the sustainability benefits are substantial. Our research and interviews show there are high levels of global investment in these new technologies which are anticipated to be used in commercial production by 2010 or shortly there after.

The biofuels report highlights that the Australian Grains Industry should produce grain for food and fibre in the short term, leverage grain prices against higher energy prices, and position itselves as a ‘fast follower’ ready to capture new and emerging markets.

The report contains a ten point plan suggesting a path forward for the Australian Grains Industry. Biofuels are only part of an alternative fuel strategy and not the entire solution to replacing fossil fuels.  Therefore, it is important that the Australian Grains Industry recognise the key findings and recommendations in the Green Paper and is prepared to act now.

Infrastructure issues papers - developing a national strategy

Transport Infrastructre Issues Papers have been finalised and are available for download. The three papers are designed to outline the challenges facing the industry in regard to future transport needs and the infrastructure supporting them. The papers address in turn the following subjects:

• Network Review for the Australian Grains Industry
• Commercial Aspects for the Australian Grains Industry
• Policy Responses for the Australian Grains Industry

Many states are beginning to address the threats to grain rail systems in discussion with key industry players.  The strategy developed by Single Vision will not seek to directly address the local issues in each state.  Rather, it will seek to develop a national approach to the issues, responding to the direct needs of growers throughout the grain growing regions for sustainable efficient transport of product to end markets.  The strategy will offer a platform for federal and state governments to engage the industry and the transport sector in the development of infrastructure policy that will support grain-growers’ needs into the future.

The papers have been widely circulated and comment is sought from stakeholders with the objective of developing a national strategy for the sustainability of Australian grains transport systems.

The video on the infrastructre project can be seen here