GGA chairman John Eastburn said Mr Flottmann had made a major contribution to the Association since joining in 2007.

"Peter has helped the board realise our vision to create a significant services company for Australian agriculture," Mr Eastburn said.

"One of his major achievements was the development of the New Horizons strategy for the Association which formed the blueprint for evolution of the Association into the GGA Group.

"Peter has steered the organisation through major change in the Australian grains industry and the Board thanks him for his contribution."

The GGA group of companies now comprises the substantial operations of the Association; satellite imaging, technology and informatics company Agrecon; publishing, training and information services company Kondinin Group and grain food research and milling and baking technical services company BRI Australia.

Mr Eastburn said the current managing director and CEO of BRI Australia Mark Allison would step in as acting CEO of the GGA Group, while continuing in his role at BRI pending the commencement of a search for a permanent CEO.