New AEGIC chair Matthew Macfarlane (left) with new director Terry Hill. Photo: AEGIC

• New AEGIC chair, director
• O’Shannassy named IGTC president
• Vale Ralph Schulzé
• Haggertys named WA Australians of the Year
• Moore named Australian Crop Breeders CEO
• Howells appointed AOF manager
• Australian Cotton Ginners AGM
• Mayne wins AgForce Producer of the Year
• New GPA independent director
• GTA Five Under 30 program winners
• Elders beefs up rural real property team
• Kim joins Qube
• LDC pulse presence expands 
• Nutrien Ag Solutions and CRT awards
• CSIRO appoints new executive director

New AEGIC chair, director

Matt Macfarlane has been appointed as chair of the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre  board, taking over from retiring Ron Storey.

He will be joined by new director Terry Hill who will work beside current directors Karlie Mucjanko and Stuart Richardson.

A member of the AEGIC board since its inception in 2012, Mr Macfarlane has extensive experience in similar roles in the technology, agriculture and not-for-profit sectors and has been an active investor in early-stage tech start-up companies for over 20 years.

Mr Hill brings extensive government experience to the AEGIC board and a strong commitment to developing regional Australia and Australian agriculture.

He is the current chair and former chief executive officer of the Pilbara Development Commission, and has held several senior positions at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, including leading the department as Director General.

Mr Macfarlane said he was honoured to take the reins from Mr Storey, who has served on the AEGIC board for eight years, including four as chair.

“I am excited to lead the AEGIC board and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the team led by executive general manager Courtney Draper, AEGIC’s members and the Australian grains industry to maximise AEGIC’s impact and value,” Mr Macfarlane said.

Pat O’Shannassy.

Mr Storey said it had been a privilege to contribute to AEGIC’s work in the industry.

O’Shannassy named IGTC president

Grain Trade Australia CEO Pat O’Shannassy has been elected president of the International Grain Trade Coalition.

Based in Geneva, the IGTC was founded in 2000 to represent a global coalition of trade organisations and corporate stakeholders focussed on minimising non-tariff trade barriers and ensuring the efficient movement of grains, oilseeds, pulses, and derived products.

As IGTC president, Mr O’Shannassy will work with IGTC members and other stakeholders to address key challenges facing the global grain trade, including regulatory inconsistencies and non-tariff barriers, while driving collaboration to strengthen supply chain resilience.

“GTA’s longstanding and active participation in IGTC ensures that our industry’s priorities are brought to the global stage,” Mr O’Shannassy said.

“I am honoured to serve as president and to continue advocating for a risk-based, rules-based trade framework that benefits producers, exporters, and consumers worldwide.”

GTA has been an active IGTC participant for over a decade, bringing Australian industry issues to international discussions and working with stakeholders to mitigate risk around trade barriers.

Vale Ralph Schulzé

The Australian cotton industry has honoured the outstanding contribution and service made by Ralph Schulzé following his recent passing.

Ralph Schulzé

His contribution to cotton began in 1960, when he undertook the first cotton agronomy trials at the Narrabri Research Station, now the Australian Cotton Research Institute, with his pioneering work helping to lay the foundation for modern cotton farming in Australia.

Mr Schulzé served as a founding director on the Cotton Seed Distributors board from 1967 to 2005 as well as becoming the first executive director of the Cotton Research and Development Corporation from 1990 to 2004.

He also helped to establish or work closely with other industry bodies of the day, namely the Australian Cotton Growers Research Association, the first Cooperative Research Centre for Cotton, the Raw Cotton Marketing Committee, the Cotton Research Committee and the Cotton Research Council as predecessors to CRDC, and the Australian Cotton Foundation, now Cotton Australia.

He was instrumental in helping to organise the first Australian Cotton Conference, then served as a committee member for the next 22 years, chairing the conference in 2000; he was also the instigator of the first World Cotton Research Conference, held in Australia in 1994.

His dedication was recognised when he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for “significant service to primary industry through research and innovation in a range of executive roles in the cotton sector”.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mr Schulzé was dedicated to his community and to his family, wife Merilyn and their children David, Danielle and Sarah Jane.

Dianne and Ian Haggerty

Haggertys named WA Australians of the Year

Central wheatbelt grain and sheep farmers Dianne and Ian Haggerty have been named Western Australia’s 2025 Australians of the Year at an awards ceremony at Government House in Perth on November 12.

The couple are passionate about restoring landscape ecology, producing optimum health-promoting food, fibre and beverage while supporting planetary health outcomes.

With the foundation of Natural Intelligence Farming, Mr and Mrs Haggerty pioneered a modern farming practise focused on supporting diverse microbiomes in soil, plant, and animals, boosting immune-system function, nutrient diversity, and resilience.

NIF places trust and appreciation in the wisdom of natural systems, enabling them to replace synthetic fertilisers with natural fertility processes, such as plant diversity, compost extract, worm liquids and the microbiome of ruminant livestock.

In very dry and poor soil conditions, they have pioneered a farming approach that optimises water use and rebuilds soils, biodiversity, and landscape function.

Working with 26,000ha, the couple has demonstrated viability at scale.

Their world leading approach has attracted global recognition, with Mrs Haggerty invited to present at national and international conferences.

Moore named Australian Crop Breeders CEO

Australian Crop Breeders has appointed agribusiness scientist Narelle Moore as the organisation’s first chief executive officer.

Based at Tamworth, Dr Moore has extensive experience in a range of grains industry roles including spending 10 years with CBH Group, a year as manager business development and commercialisation for GRDC and in various leadership roles for the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Before taking on the role with Australian Crop Breeders, Dr Moore was the director of product development with Loam Bio.

She has also held industry roles including three years on GRDC’s Western Panel, two years as the Grain Industry Association of WA’s Wheat Council chair, and as a member of the Wheat Classification Council of Wheat Quality Australia.

Stephen Howells

Australian Crop Breeders is the peak body representing public and private organisations that generate new varieties for Australia’s broadacre farmers.

Howells appointed AOF manager

Melbourne-based grains industry executive Stephen Howells has been appointed as the new Australian Oilseeds Federation and sustainability manager, taking over from retiring executive officer Nick Goddard.

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Australian Cotton Ginners AGM

Around 50 industry members gathered in Brisbane recently for the Australian Cotton Ginners’ Association annual general meeting, where Ben Suttor of Cubbie Ag was re-elected as president.

Ben Suttor

Carroll Cotton’s Scott Davies took over the role of senior vice president, with Kevin Chaplin from Louis Dreyfus Company moving into the vice president role.

Long-standing committee member René van der Sluijs stepped back from the secretary’s position and will continue as treasurer for the association.

The role of secretary was filled by Michelle Sleeth.

On behalf of ACGA, Mr Suttor recognised Mr van der Sluijs’ “long standing commitment to the industry both nationally and internationally”.

Mr Suttor also acknowledged the efforts of two past presidents Shane McGregor and Andrew Vanderstok.

Mr Suttor said the meeting attracted participants from across the ginning and cotton industry and the wider agricultural sector.

Clare Nugent, Kurt Mayne and Shane McCarthy.

“The meeting was extremely well attended, highlighting the importance of the manufacturing and processing sector within the cotton industry, especially on the back of large [year-on-year] processing requirements.”

Mayne wins AgForce Producer of the Year

Central Queensland grain and beef producer Kurt Mayne has been named AgForce Producer of the Year for 2024.

The annual award recognises individuals who exemplify industry excellence, passionate leadership, and a strong community focus.

With a deep understanding of agricultural innovation, Mr Mayne has transformed his operation to maximise production, quality and efficiency.

These achievements include harnessing data to monitor and enhance cattle weight gain and adoption of sustainable farming practices, such as cover cropping, crop rotation, and a significant reduction in chemical usage by 80-90 percent.

Mr Mayne’s community involvement incorporates serving on the CQ GrainCorp growers board, hosting several wheat variety trials at his operation in collaboration with GRDC, and membership of several local boards, including as president of the Rolleston State School P&C.

New GPA independent director

Grain Producers Australia has appointed Cindy Cassidy to its board of directors.

Cindy Cassidy

“Cindy’s strategic insights and strong connections across the grains sector make her an invaluable addition,” GPA chair Barry Large said.

“Her track record in sustainable development and her focus on industry innovation aligns perfectly with GPA’s goals to support and advocate for our members.”

Ms Cassidy, currently the director of the Southern NSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, has previously served as CEO of FarmLink Research and held senior roles at Wheat Quality Australia and the Australian Wheat Board.

A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she also serves as audit committee chair and non-executive director for AgriFutures Australia.

“This industry has made significant strides, and I’m excited to contribute to GPA’s mission by supporting innovative practices that will benefit grain producers and regional communities alike,” Ms Cassidy said.

GTA Five Under 30 program winners

Grain Trade Australia has announced the winners of its 2024-25 Five Under 30 program, an annual initiative designed to foster the next generation of grain industry leaders by encouraging greater involvement of younger members in GTA activities.

The five winners of the 2024-25 cohort included:

• Briley Monahan, grower services manager, Shannon Bros;
• Isabelle McDouall, junior grain merchant, AGT Foods Australia;
• Kyla Davie, national quality manager, CHS Broadbent;
• Matthew Price, grain and cotton merchant, Viterra; and,
• Nikki Fleming, quality supervisor, GrainCorp.

GTA received an overwhelming response to its 2024-25 program, with applications assessed by the Membership Committee and Board against criteria including merit, gender, background, experience, and geographic diversity to ensure balanced representation.

Phillip Kelly

Over the course of 12 months, participants benefit from mentorship, career development opportunities, and enhanced industry exposure.

Elders beefs up rural real property team 

Elders has strengthened its rural real estate team with Phillip Kelly and Leah Freney joining the team.

Mr Kelly started in a new role with the company in September as a property sales executive.

He has more than 30 years’ experience in stock and station agency, agribusiness finance and rural real estate across a wide area in Qld, NSW and Victoria and holds both NSW and Qld real estate, stock and station and auctioneers licences.

Also joining Elders’ rural property network is Ms Freney as a Rural Real Estate sales executive.

She is a registered agribusiness property valuer and licenced real estate agent in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia and previously worked in property transactions with Colliers and JLL and as a valuer with Taylor Byrne.

“Phillip’s addition will increase our focus on the corporate market as well as supporting our clients across the wider Elders footprint in property transaction services will be positive for Elders and their clients,” Elders Real Estate Qld/NT manager Tim Lane said.

“Leah brings another dimension to our team with her valuation background and success in dealing with some significant sales transactions across a wide range of commodity classes.”

Kim joins Qube

As part of Qube’s expansion in the grain-trading space based, principally around its New South Wales assets, Thomas Kim has been appointed as a commodity trader.

“We’re delighted to have Thomas join the team,” Qube said in a statement.

“TK brings 10 years of experience to the role of commodity trader and his background, industry knowledge and expertise will be a fantastic addition to Qube’s growing grain-trading capability.”

Mr Kim is based in Toowoomba, and was previously a grain merchant with Ridley, with one of his early grain-industry appointments being in feedgrain trading with Nidera in Toowoomba.

LDC pulse presence expands

Simone Dax has moved from cereal trading to pulses within Louis Dreyfus Company’s Australian team.

Based in Melbourne, Ms Dax started in the grain trade in 2008, and rejoined Emerald Grain in 2021 prior to its takeover by LDC.

Starting with the appointment earlier this year of Toowoomba-based Peter Wilson as manager of pulse trading and origination, LDC is now trading in Australian and other pulses.

Ms Dax is a past president of the Grain Industry Association of Victoria.

Andrew and Gaye Golder from Robert Smith & Co (centre) with Nutrien Ag managing director Kelly Freeman, Nutrien Ag Solutions and CRT former Head of Independents Greg O’Neil, Independents State Manager – VIC & TAS Andrew Loorham and Head of Independents Rebecca Gay.

Nutrien Ag Solutions and CRT awards

Twelve leading retail businesses across Australia have been recognised for their outstanding performance and contribution to agriculture at the 2024 Nutrien Ag Solutions and CRT Awards.

Nutrien Ag Solutions managing director Kelly Freeman announced the winners at a gala dinner in Qld, celebrating excellence across the network.

“Congratulations to our 2024 award recipients,” Mr Freeman said.

“These stores have achieved remarkable results over the past twelve months, despite the challenges faced by our industry throughout the year.”

Congratulations to the 2024 award recipients:

• CRT New South Wales Business of the Year: Bowral Co-operative, Bowral;
• CRT Queensland Business of the Year: Springsure Rural, Springsure;
• CRT Victoria Business of the Year: Robert Smith & Co, Warracknabeal;
• CRT South Australia Business of the Year: Walter Agencies, Lameroo;
• CRT Western Australia Business of the Year: Frankland Rural, Frankland River;
• Greg O’Neil CRT National Business of the Year: Robert Smith & Co, Warracknabeal Vic;
• Nutrien Ag Solutions Independent Business of the Year: Nutrien Cummins & Cleve Ag Services – Cummins and Cleve SA;
• Independent MD’s Safety Excellence Award: Northside Produce Agency, Bundaberg Qld;
• Nutrien Ag Solutions MD’s Safety Excellence Award: Nutrien Ag Solutions Gunnedah, NSW;
• Nutrien Ag Solutions Profit Share of the Year: Foreman Rural, Jerramungup, WA;
• Nutrien Ag Solutions Joint Venture of the Year: QFH Multiparts Pty Ltd, Katanning, WA;
• Nutrien Ag Solutions Branch of the Year: Nutrien Ag Solutions Merredin, WA.

CSIRO appoints new executive director

CSIRO has appointed Jen Taylor to the position of executive director, Future Industries.

Jen Taylor

In this role, Dr Taylor will help drive innovation across multiple areas, including health, agriculture, biosecurity and manufacturing.

After joining the CSIRO in 2008, Dr Taylor has led research teams across the agriculture portfolio, helping drive innovation in various areas including crop genomics, genetics and agricultural field data science.

Since 2020 Dr Taylor has been Deputy Director of CSIRO’s Agriculture & Food research unit and for the past 14 months has acted in the role of Director for Agriculture & Food for a period of 14 months.

Dr Taylor said she was delighted to be stepping into the role.

“I am looking forward to growing the ambition of our portfolio to ensure we are helping secure Australia’s future prosperity,” Dr Taylor said.

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