Crop Consultants Australia board members, from left: Albert Gorman, Tim Richards, Charlie Wells, Dean Hamblin, James Kanaley, Alexandra Wicks, Bede O’Mara, Olivia Bange, Tony Lockrey, Tessa Dimond, and Sally Poole. Absent: Paul Grundy. Photo: CCA
- Australian Summer Grains Conference Awards
- GPA leaders re-elected
- Hill named WAFarmers vice president
- Yum wins Ian Hamparsum Memorial Award
- Darling Downs Food & Fibre awards
- New DPIRD R&D executive named
- Maize Association AGM
- New CBH’s Growers’ Advisory Council members
- CCA re-elects Richards as president
- NSW Farmers scholarship winners
Australian Summer Grains Conference Awards
The committee presented several awards to industry members at the Australian Summer Grains Conference honouring high achieving and innovative professionals for their hard work in the sector.
Matthew McCauley
Stuart Tighe of Boolah Farms took home the Ben Coleman Award, while Alleasha Bertinazzi from Elders Toowoomba won the Zoe McInnes Memorial Award, Nutrien Ag Murgon agronomist Matthew McCauley received the Bayer Rising Star Award and Melina Miles of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries won the Women in Agriculture Award.
The Elders Innovation in Technology awards went to Lachie Nass of AgVenture Farming (farmer category) and Corteva (industry category).
There were also five industry awards presented to individuals who have significantly contributed to the development of the mungbean, corn, sunflower, soybean and sorghum sectors.
Korean importer, UnHwan Yum, received the corn award with Warra grower, Wade Bidstrup taking the mungbean award, and seed breeder Chris Haire winning the sunflower award.
Trevor Philp from Pacific Seeds received the sorghum award and Qld DPI agronomist Neil Halpin won the soybean award.
GPA leaders re-elected
Grain Producers Australia’s strong grass roots grower representation has continued, with three experienced and committed grower directors re-elected to the GPA Board.
The re-election of Andrew Weidemann (Southern Region), Duncan Young (Western Region) and Brendan Taylor (Northern Region) was formally announced at the GPA AGM held today in Melbourne.
GPA Western Region Grower director, Barry Large, was also re-appointed as GPA chair, and GPA Northern Region grower director, Matthew Madden as GPA deputy chair at the GPA Board meeting.
GPA directors Brendan Taylor, Matthew Madden, Andrew Weidemann and Barry Large. Photo: Colin Bettles
Mr Large said the re-election of the three GPA grower directors demonstrated their leadership and commitment to continue representing growers from their local regions, on important industry matters.
“These roles are vital to maintaining strong, grower focus and leadership at GPA,” Mr Large said.
“I’d like to thank and acknowledge Duncan, Andrew and Brendan for continuing to serve other growers in their communities with others on the GPA Board, to help make a difference right across our industry.”
Hill named WAFarmers vice president
WAFarmers has announced the appointment of Esperance farmer Matt Hill as the new vice president following a meeting of its board on July 1.
A casual vacancy for the position arose following the WAFarmers AGM in March, with three nominations received for the role.
“The board was overwhelmed by the number and quality of applications,” WAFarmers’ president Steve McGuire said.
“It was a difficult choice to make, but we are looking forward to welcoming Matt to the board, as the organisation has a great balance of governance skills to lead it into a strong future.”
Mr Hill is part of the family farming operation Young Hill Farms, a large cropping enterprise situated 100km east of Esperance, and a long-time member of WAFarmers.
His passion for agricultural advocacy led him to executive zone and commodity roles within WAFarmers, becoming the Esperance and Ravensthorpe Zone president and the vice president of WAFarmers’ Grains.
Prior to becoming involved in farming and agricultural advocacy, Mr Hill worked as a mining engineer, bringing a wealth of knowledge relative to corporate-sector business and workplace health and safety processes.
Darling Downs Food & Fibre awards
Darling Downs producers were celebrated at the first ever Darling Downs Food & Fibre Awards night which recognised industry leaders in biosecurity, export and innovation.
Ben O’Brien from Suncorp Bank presents the Innovation Award to Emily Coggan from Coggan Farms.
Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise executive director John McVeigh said the awards aimed to showcase and celebrate the region’s commitment to shaping a resilient, forward-thinking and globally competitive food and fibre sector.
“We received a diverse mix of submissions, showcasing the incredible work our region is doing in biosecurity, export and innovation,” Dr McVeigh said.
“The Darling Downs Food and Fibre Awards celebrate the innovation, resilience and global impact of our agribusinesses, and this year’s winners show just how forward-thinking and adaptable our region truly is.”
The Innovation Award went to Coggan Farms for its adoption of autonomous spraying technology, and virtual fencing for cattle, combined with regenerative practices that boost efficiency, sustainability and animal welfare.
Condabri Beef won the Biosecurity Award due to its efforts to embed proactive biosecurity into every aspect of its operations to protect livestock, land and people while ensuring sustainable, responsible production.
The Trade and Export Award went to Kylie and Garry Martin’s GF Oats, Australia’s leading supplier of gluten-free oats, distinguished by its adherence to the Global Oats Purity Protocol and growing international reputation across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
DPIRD R&D executive named
A new team will drive the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s research and development program to help WA’s agriculture and aquaculture industries grow and thrive.
Broadacre systems executive director Dr Kaara Klepper will lead the department’s farming systems strategy, drawing on an extensive career in agronomy, soil science and environmental sustainability in the public and private sectors.
Dr Kaara Klepper
Animal systems executive director Julia Smith will progress strategic research and development across the livestock and aquaculture industries, building on her long career with the department.
Intensive and irrigated plant systems executive director Sam Oakden will oversee priorities for the fruit, vegetable and irrigated agriculture industries, after a career leading national initiatives in the agriculture and food sector.
DPIRD Primary Industries Development deputy director general Cec McConnell said the new positions would unlock and guide initiatives that assist WA’s diverse primary industries to remain internationally competitive.
“These new executive appointments will ensure DPIRD is in a strong position to integrate new science and pivot to market requirements, while ensuring our R&D program is relevant, targeted and delivers meaningful results to industry,” Ms McConnell said.
“Working alongside interdisciplinary teams from across the department, our passionate and skilled staff are dedicated to keeping WA’s primary industries profitable, sustainable and resilient.”
Maize Association AGM
Lachlan Commodities director Andrew Cogswell has been named the new chair of the Maize Association Australia following its AGM held earlier this month.
Mr Cogswell takes over from outgoting chair, Leeton grower Chris Salafia.
Pioneer Seeds territory sales managing Eastern Victoria, Tim Lovell was voted vice chair.
New CBH’s Growers’ Advisory Council members
The CBH Group has welcomed Brad Collins of Morawa, Judith Foss of Bruce Rock, and Kirk Jeitz of Lort River as new members to its Growers’ Advisory Council.
Judith Floss
Each councillor has been appointed for a four-year term, starting on 1 July 2025.
The three positions became available following the expiry of the terms of sitting councillors: Laurie Butler of Perenjori, Craig Doney of Harrismith, and Lyndon Mickel of Beaumont.
The GAC is made up of 16 WA grain growers and provides an invaluable grass-roots connection between growers and the CBH Board and management.
“I extend a warm welcome to our three new GAC members and congratulate them on their successful appointments,” CBH chair Simon Stead said.
“I look forward to hearing their perspectives and working together to advocate for better outcomes for WA growers.”
The new councillors will attend their first GAC meeting on August 7.
CCA re-elects Richards as president
Following its AGM held in Dubbo on July 22, Crop Consultants Australia has re-elected Tim Richards of MCA Goondiwindi as its president for a second term.
Phil Glover and Jamie Street were awarded CCA life memberships at the 2025 annual dinner.
New directors elected were Qld DPI research scientist Paul Grundy, Crop Capsules Wee Waa’s Olivia Bange and Ag Grow Agronomy and Research Griffith’s Albert Gorman.
Elected for a second term as directors were HMAg Moree’s Alex Wicks and CFM’s Charlie Wells.
Board members Tony Lockrey, AMPS Moree, Dean Hamblin, Outlook Ag Wee Waa and Tessa Dimond are continuing in their second year of a two-year term.
Ms Dimond is based in St George, Qld, and was recently appointed as Nuffield Australia scholarships manager after more than 10 years in agronomy.
CCA’s annual dinner, also held in Dubbo last week, saw life memberships awarded to Phil Glover and Jamie Street.
NSW Farmers scholarship winners
Five young rural leaders have been named as the recipients of the NSW Farmers Tertiary Scholarships at its Annual Conference.
Each year, NSW Farmers awards five tertiary scholarships to members or their children to support their university or vocational qualification in a field relevant to agriculture, or regional and rural Australia.
NSW Young Farmers chair Martin Murray said the scholarships sought to open doors for the next generation of agriculture and regional Australia, so they could unlock their full potential.
“As an industry body, we have a responsibility to give the talented next generation coming through the very best possible chance to succeed and secure a brighter farming future,” Mr Murray said.
“These recipients are to be congratulated for their efforts, and I look forward to seeing all they are able to achieve with the help of the program now and into the future.”
The 2025 NSW Farmers Tertiary Scholarship recipients were:
- Reuben Huf, Sleepy Hollow – EL O’Brien Scholarship
- Kari Donaldson, Willala – John White Memorial Scholarship
- Charlotte Leys, Goolhi – Alan Chapman Memorial Scholarship
- Grace Wilkes-Bowes, Naradhan – Graham Blatch Memorial Goobang Scholarship
- Abigail Tozer, Wallendbeen – Paul Lockyer Memorial Scholarship
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