National Policy Group

Kate, together with her parents and brother, runs a progressive family farming business on the Liverpool Plains which comprises of broadacre rain fed winter and summer crops, grain handling, storage and logistic operations, as well as a beef cattle operation. Kate holds Bachelors of Science and Commerce and a Master of Economics, and has recently been admitted as a fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

Ben is a rain-fed grain producer with his family at Condamine on the Western Darling Downs, Queensland growing wheat, chickpeas, sorghum, and cotton. They operate a mix of owned and leased land covering 4000ha. Ben is passionate about farming and the long-term sustainability of his family farming land and its profitability. Ben’s family have cooperated with the GRDC National Variety Trial program for many years in both the winter and summer crop areas and is a member of the Northern NVT Advisory Committee panel.

Ian with his wife, Marilyn run an award-winning family farm near Quirindi NSW producing dryland and irrigated summer and winter crops with pillar crops of wheat, sorghum, and cotton. Ian was an early adopter of no till and controlled traffic farming, he is passionate about soil health & ground cover, communication and profitability & sustainability. He has always been at the leading edge of change and encourages communication between farmers and with researchers and other industry groups. He believes policies to improve connectivity in the bush are critical and the need to improve market access through grain standards and streamlined supply chain access.

Stuart is a fourth-generation grain grower on the black soil plains of the central Darling Downs. He grows Sorghum, Wheat and Barley on his group of properties that comprise of 1600ha. Before moving back to the family farm 10 years ago, Stuart gained previous experience in Business Management (North Queensland), Accounting (Southern Queensland) and an electrical trade specialising in Solar Energy. His interests with the NPG are maintaining and improving practices in sustainability (including carbon), market access, and supporting smaller producers in a much larger industry. Affordable farming technology and input costs for the family farming enterprise are also key issues of interest.

As a farmer and a community leader, Tracy holds several roles that makes her a valuable asset to the GrainGrowers NPG. Tracy is a Partner in a 4500ha grain growing enterprise (6300ha total), Cranmore Farming, Moora Shire President, a board member of Innovations Central Midlands Inc and Gardiner Street Arts Collective and completed Leadership WA’s Signature Leadership Program as Valedictorian (2019). These positions contribute and attest to Tracy’s ability to approach challenges strategically.

Damien is a farmer, spray contractor and agronomist in South Australia’s mid north and past Chair of Hart Field Site group. Damien is passionate about sustainable agriculture and believes a healthier farming system is more resilient & profitable in the long term.
Damien’s focus is on ensuring the grains industry has a robust R&D system to ensure farmers have access to unbiased research to ensure long term sustainability and profitability at the farm gate.

Judith and her husband farm 10500 ha 250kms East of Perth in the WA Wheatbelt. They are a mixed enterprise comprising cereals, legumes, canola, hay and prime lamb production. Judith has completed a Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) and has followed her passion for being a food producer for over 25 years. To experience and have the opportunity to become involved in the NPG is one that Judith sees as both exciting and an intellectual challenge. Judith would like to be able to make a positive contribution to her industry and see real results.

Campbell is a grain grower in the High Rainfall Zone of Victoria, growing cereals, canola and faba beans, and is also engaged in sheep trading. Campbell has previous experience in corporate and consulting roles in grains and other agribusiness sectors, particularly in trading, marketing, and business strategy. He also has international experience including several years based in China where he gained direct exposure in grain trading, trade access and policy issues. He has a strong interest in research, trade access, social license and developing the industry’s profile. He has a B. Ec. and an MBA – supporting an evidence-based approach.

Daniel and his partner run a 2600 ha mixed farm business, comprising of oilseeds, cereals, legumes and fat lamb production. Daniel previously served as President of the VFF Wimmera branch and is a GrainGrowers’ AGLP Alumnus. Daniel’s interests are transport and market access, chemical usage and research and development and grain quality vs grain quantity. Daniel believes that the adaptability of the national freight system to ensure efficiency and competitiveness, strong leadership through change, and market accessibility and reputation in overseas markets are essential for a sustainable, profitable and efficient grains industry.

Fiona farms with her family at Mulwala in the southern Riverina of NSW. She has a background in applied science and education and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the NFF Diversity in Ag Leadership Program and the Grains Social Leadership Program. Fiona is the Chair of the Riverine Plains Farming Systems Group and has served on the GRDC Southern Panel. She is passionate about building capacity within the grains industry through education, training, and leadership from the laboratory to the farm, to the end user and all in between. Fiona strives to improve the profile and profitability of growers.

Martin is Chairman of the Junee NSW Farmers branch, Vice-Captain and Secretary of Marinna Bushfire Brigade. Martin has been on Executive Council NSW Farmers since 2007 and has served on the Grains Committee.
Martin’s interests are infrastructure, storage and transport, brand and quality and getting the right varieties bred and grown without having a plethora of varieties every year. Martin believes that grains varietal characteristics and quality, engagement with growers, input into domestic and global markets, efficient and cost-effective storage and transport and handling of the grain are policy priorities.