1. Issue

The GTA Trading Standards Committee (Committee), and its Technology Sub-Committee have completed its review of the Zoom Agri computer vision and machine learning technology for the recognition of specific barley varieties for compliance with Varietal Purity specifications in Barley Trading Standards.

A decision has been reached to endorse the Zoom Agri “Zoom One” technology as a method for assessment of specific barley varieties. The timing of when this endorsement commences is conditional on:

• GTA members and industry participants feedback on this decision.
• The preparation of a supporting Technical Guideline Document.
• Changes to the GTA Barley Trading Standards material.

That material will be generated by the Committee for industry consideration during industry consultation in 2026 on proposed Trading Standards for 2026/27.

Given the timing for that industry consultation, the earliest the technology can achieve the status of a method in the GTA Barley Trading Standards is the 2026/2027 season.

This Member Update is to advise members and industry participants of this decision as the Committee is aware the technology is currently being used.

2. Reference v Field Method

There is a range of equipment available for sampling and assessing the quality of grain against specifications listed in grain quality Standards (Standards). These may be a Reference Method or a Field Method.

• A Reference Method for grain is a standard, verified procedure used anywhere in the supply chain, to measure a specific quality, like moisture or test weight. An example is using a certified Chondrometer for test weight assessment.
• A Field Method, while accepted, is generally regarded as being less accurate for assessment of a particular quality parameter. A Field Method is over-ridden by the result of a Reference Method where available.

The type of equipment used, and the level of sophistication and accuracy will vary by organisation, location used, purpose of use and commodity being assessed. The preference is for the use of Objective technology rather than subjective assessment, where available and commercially acceptable and feasible.

GTA members may choose to use any technology to assess Varietal Purity of barley. Once this Zoom Agri technology is endorsed as a method industry may continue to use any technology to assess Varietal Purity.

The Committee proposal is to reference the Zoom Agri “Zoom One” in the Barley Trading Standards for the following specific barley varieties only, as these varieties were the only ones included in the trial of the technology for provision to the Committee for review:

Should the technology provider choose to update their technology to assess other varieties, the Committee will need data on those varieties. Based on that assessment, if approved, the Committee would also list those varieties for the applicable season in the Barley Trading Standards.

Once included, it is proposed that the Barley Trading Standards will include the following hierarchy of technology for assessment of Varietal Purity:

1. DNA Reference Method, then
2. Zoom Agri “Zoom One” for the above-mentioned 6 varieties only, then
3. Visual assessment (i.e., use of the Visual Recognition Standards Guide) and/or grower declaration.

3. Process for Feedback

Should GTA members and industry participants wish to provide comment and feedback on the issue outlined in this document, submissions should be received by COB Friday, 28 November 2025.

Please lodge your submissions by sending to submissions@graintrade.org.au and title your email – Technology Review 2025/26.

Unless marked “confidential” and appropriate supporting reasons are provided, all submissions will be placed on the GTA website for industry review.

Download PDF