Cropping & Soil
13 January, 2026
Local elected to grain policy group
GRAINGROWERS' members in the Southern Region have elected their five National Policy Group (NPG) representatives, including local farmer Emelia Sudholz.
The NPG determines GrainGrowers' policy positions and represents growers' views on national issues affecting the grains sector and is made up of 15 representatives: five from each of the GrainGrowers regions – the Southern Region (southern NSW, Vic and Tas), the Western Region (SA and WA), and the Northern Region (northern NSW & Qld).
Other members elected include returning members – Dr Amity Dunstan of Telangatuk East and Martin Honner (Junee, NSW)- who will also be joined by Jack Langley, Narrandera, NSW, and Bruce Watson, Forbes, NSW.
GrainGrowers chief executive, Shona Gawel, welcomed the NPG members who will take up the positions in 2026.
“On behalf of GrainGrowers, I would like to thank all the growers who stood for the National Policy Group for stepping forward for this essential part of our policy development,” she said.
Over the past 12 months, the group has contributed to deliberations around the proposed superannuation changes, the Right to Repair changes, and grains research and development.
Ms Sudholz has been broadacre dryland cropping near Rupanyup with her husband for 25 years and
expressed her gratitude to the honour.
“Being elected to the NPG is an opportunity to be part of progress and to advocate for policy on issues that impact how we farm,” she said.
“With our industry facing challenges such as soil conservation, water scarcity, land use, and climate change, developing practical, workable policies is a key step in sustaining our global competitiveness. I am looking forward to getting involved and playing a part in this process.”
Ms Sudholz grew up on an irrigated cropping farm in northern Victoria and holds a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Melbourne.
With experience in the fertiliser industry, natural resource management, and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Community Committee, providing community input on water, environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic issues, she wanted to see “research and policy align grain production with environmental responsibility and global competitiveness.”
“Through my involvement with the MDBA, I have had the opportunity to represent the interests of regional communities affected by water policy decisions and provide advice around Basin Plan issues,” Ms Sudholz said.
“This experience has demonstrated to me the value of collaborative problem solving, respectful advocacy, and evidence-based dialogue to achieve balanced outcomes, and I wish to bring those principles to the National Policy Group.”