THE AUSTRALIA Oilseeds Federation has signed a service agreement with Grain Trade Australia which will govern the delivery of the peak body’s functions.

This comes as AOF announces Melbourne-based grains industry executive Stephen Howells has taken on the role vacated by the long-serving Nick Goddard.

In a member update last month, GTA announced that AOF’s advisory council will transition to a GTA sector council, aligning with the structure of the Australian Grain Exporters and Domestic Sector councils.

In the new role of AOF and sustainability manager, Mr Howells will operate as an employee of GTA.

Mr Howells will also have management responsibility for Sustainable Grain Australia, an entity under the AOF that facilitates the sustainability certification of Australian grain, oilseeds and pulses under the ISCC scheme.

The update said the AOF will continue as an independent organisation and maintain its membership base, and all technical committee meetings will proceed as usual.

“The partnership between AOF and GTA will support AOF in continuing its work with a focus on meeting the needs of AOF members, SGA activities and the wider oilseed industry,” the update said.

“AOF priorities and projects will continue to align with the AOF Strategic Plan, overseen by the AOF Council and member meetings, ensuring a focus on AOF member needs.”

AOF’s largest members include leading oilseed crushers such as Cargill and GrainCorp, and AOF’s functions and areas of interest have synergies with GTA.

GTA chief executive officer Pat O’Shannassy said the agreement between AOF and GTA came after AOF conducted a review of its structure and operations.

He said in light of Mr Goddard’s impending departure after 15 years as executive officer, AOF approached GTA to form a partnership.

“Especially what we have done is struck up an operating agreement where we, in partnership, will provide services to AOF,” Mr O’Shannassy said.

“It will mean that they have a bit more access to resources….and won’t be operating in isolation.

“AOF will still deliver all the same things that it has been delivering to its members, and maybe a few more things, with added resources at its disposal.”

Mr Howells will commence in the role next month, and Mr Goddard will continue with AOF into 2025 to aid in the transition.

Mr Howells earlier this year finished up with Ridley after 13 years at the feedmilling business, most recently as senior grain merchant.

Prior to joining Ridley, Mr Howells worked for four years in various roles with ABB and Viterra.

AOF will also continue to collaborate with industry peak body Grains Australia.

In July 2023, it was announced that AOF had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Grains Australia to aid its planned roll-in to the cross-industry organisation, which has now absorbed Wheat Quality Australia, Barley Australia, Pulse Australia, and the Grains Industry Market Access Forum.

Under the agreement, AOF was to act as a reference group for Grains Australia and operate as an oilseeds council.

However, Grains Australia had since decided to form a separate Oilseed Council, and in September called for expressions of interest from those looking to nominate.

Grains Australia’s Oilseed Council is expected to have more of a focus on crop production, research and breeding, as well as trade and market access, storage and grain-handling, processing, and developing products for consumers.

It will be responsible for overseeing implementation of classification frameworks for crops, providing expertise and advice in identifying trade and market-access priorities, and requirements for market information and market education relevant to oilseeds.

Grain Central understands an announcement of Grains Australia Oilseeds Council is imminent.

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