The Grains Farm Biosecurity Program (GFBP) welcomes Jordan Scott as the new Grains Biosecurity Officer (GBO) for South Australia, based at the Department of Primary Industries and Regions’ (PIRSA) Glenside campus in Adelaide.
Jordan brings a wealth of experience and passion for agriculture and will play a key role in educating the grain industry on best practise farm biosecurity.
Launched in 2007, the GFBP is managed by Plant Health Australia (PHA) and funded by growers through Grain Producers Australia (GPA) and state governments.
The program develops and disseminates vital informative and resources, including fact sheets, manuals, and online guides to equip grain growers with the knowledge to identify and manage potential biosecurity threats. Interactive
Jordan’s journey toward this role stems from a longstanding interest in agriculture and biosecurity. This interest developed further during his time working with growers and landholders as a Landscape Officer at the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board (NYLB).
“My experience with the NYLB instilled an understanding of the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and the importance of biosecurity measures in protecting its sustainability,” Jordan said.
Further solidifying his commitment to agriculture and biosecurity, Jordan joined the PIRSA invasive species unit as a Biosecurity Officer. He conducted research by exploring new delivery methods for RHDV-K5 (calicivirus) to reduce European rabbit populations. Beyond research, he also played a role in high-priority response efforts during recent fruit fly outbreaks and as part of the National Parks fire crew.
With these diverse experiences Jordan is equipped with the necessary skills and a comprehensive understanding of biosecurity practices, solidifying his interest in a career working with South Australia’s agricultural industry.
GBOs are valuable points of contact for growers seeking general grains advice and for those looking to enhance their awareness of farm biosecurity practices. GBOs actively engage with growers and industry stakeholders, working to instill and cultivate a robust culture of biosecurity awareness. This involves developing educational resources, conducting workshops, and facilitating farm visits to equip growers and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to:
Jordan is eager to build on the success of the previous SA GBO, Shafiya Hussein. An important part of the GFBP is the collaboration with interstate counterparts. This collaborative approach is instrumental in ensuring the uniform implementation of farm biosecurity practices and the sharing of biosecurity knowledge across all grain-growing regions.
Recognising the importance of direct engagement with growers, Jordan will be kicking off his tenure with a stall at the Luncindale South East Field Days. These events serve as a fantastic opportunity to introduce himself as a key point of contact to local growers and industry.
“I’m really looking forward to engaging in informative conversations with growers, providing them with up-to-date biosecurity information, and offering support to those seeking guidance in protecting their crops from potential threats,” Jordan said.
The Australian grains industry continues to face a dynamic biosecurity landscape full of challenges. By identifying the top five high-priority pests, producers can focus their biosecurity efforts on the most critical areas. The GFBP has identified the following top five high priority pests which pose significant threats to grain production:
Contact Jordan at Jordan.Scott@sa.gov.au or 0437 723 295 to:
Explore the Grains Farm Biosecurity website for more practical resources that include biosecurity manuals and planning templates, grain storage fact sheets, videos, how to guides, online training and strategies to assist in the management of grains farm biosecurity risks.