Representatives travelled to Moree, Gunnedah and Coonamble to update growers on where the company, which has been affected by last year’s deregulation of the wheat market, is heading.

AWB managing director Gordon Davis said he talked about the commercial offers the company would have in the market this year, from both cash and grain purchases.

“The second objective is to talk to growers about the reforms we’re making to AWB to ensure it remains a competitive, long-term player now that the single desk has gone,” Mr Davis said.

Meetings have also been held in South Australia, Western Australia and

Victoria.

“There’s been a very positive response from growers,” he said.

“A lot of growers, like the company, would’ve preferred that the single desk was still in place.

“But the Government’s made a decision and it’s their prerogative, so we’re focussed on the future. That’s what most growers are doing.”

Following last year’s wheat industry restructure, instigated by the former Howard government, companies that want to export grain have to be accredited through an accreditation process.

“Beyond that, the only other real touch of government on the industry is to ensure if people have port assets, and have export ports, that they offer open access to those ports to traders,” he said.

“So we would expect to see a range of people get accredited and both global multinational corporations, bulk handlers and others operating in the market from this year.

“In that environment, the key determinate to success will be the ability to provide a competitive price to growers and the ability to provide them with the appropriate level of security of payment, which they deserve.

“They’re the three things we’re focussed on.”

AWB was previously 100 per cent wheat grower-owned but they now own 40 per cent of it; the rest of the shares are held by institutions, long-term investors and retail

investors.

“In that environment we have to ensure the company is best-placed to compete in the future,” he said.