AUSTRALIA will host the International Pulses Trade and Industry Confederation's annual conference in May.

About 600 delegates from Australia and around the world will attend the conference, to be held in Brisbane from May 1-4.

The conference is being organised with the help of Pulse Australia, which convinced delegates at last year's forum in Antalya, in Turkey, to hold this year's event in Australia.

The IPTIC conference has been held in Australia only once before - in 2003, when it was hosted by Melbourne.

But many could not attend due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, outbreak, which limited air travel.

Pulse Australia chief executive officer Gavin Gibson said 500 delegates had already registered for the Brisbane conference.

"There will be pulse processors, importers, exporters and packers from around the world at this conference," he said.

"There are 42 country members of the international body.

"This will be an extraordinary convention."

Registration can be made by visiting the CICILS IPTIC website.

Grain competition

FARMERS have a chance to win $1000 for their local school, sports club or charity through CBH Group's annual grain competition.

CBH eastern Australia manager Chris Ayers said entry forms were available at the company's stand at major field days in the eastern states this year or farmers could phone the CBH grain grower service centre on 1800 107 759.

All growers have to do is enter their name and National Grower Register number on the entry form.

The competition closes on December 31 and will be drawn on January 3 in CBH's Melbourne office.

The winner will be notified by phone and his or her name will be published in The Australian on January 10.

Wheat promotion push

GRAIN Growers Association has begun a project to help promote Australian wheat.

Titled "What the world wants from Australian wheat", the project aims to find out what wheat customers require from the Australian industry, while providing feedback to local growers.

GGA chairman John Eastburn said there had been plenty of discussion regarding "industry good services" such as promoting Australian wheat and how it could be best done.

Mr Eastburn said GGA had the capacity and capability to take on that role.

He said the project would include comprehensive surveys of domestic and international customers.

  • Send your grain news to Peter Hemphill, The Weekly Times, PO Box 14999, Melbourne, 8001, email to hemphillp@theweeklytimes.com.au or fax it to (03) 9292 2697.