2017 AgriFutures Australia Stakeholder Forum

25 - 26 October 2017Wagga Wagga

@AgriFuturesAU#AgriFuturesAU

With our new Strategic R&D Plan 2017-2022 approved and AgriFutures Australia officially launched, we can confidently step into the next chapter of our journey.

This is the first time in many years we have asked our networks to gather in one location and that’s because the most important part of our future is our networks and our connections. The people we work with, the industries we serve, the partnerships we have and the new ones we forge are intrinsically linked to our new and exciting direction.

With the potential of having an industry worth $100 billion by 2030, together, we are in the prime position to help shape Australian agriculture. Together, we will deliver benefits to the entire nation, and we welcome the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Over the next five years, AgriFutures Australia will commit to programs that will deliver the knowledge and technologies needed to ensure long-term profitability and sustainability for rural industries and regional communities.

Thank you for attending our Stakeholder Forum. To have you all in the same room is extremely powerful – for you and for us. We hope you learn from each other, meet new people, reconnect with colleagues and genuinely feel a sense of unity and partnership with our organisation. Most importantly, please help us, help you.

Use today as an opportunity to join the conversation around what you need from AgriFutures Australia to continue the growth and development of industry and individuals.

Enjoy your day.

Mrs Kay Hull AMChairAgriFutures Australia

Wagga Wagga, the heart of the Riverina.

Welcome

Day 1 - Wednesday, 25 October

6.00pm MEET & GREET – Romano’s Hotel (Laneway)

Day 2 - Thursday, 26 October

8.00am FORUM REGISTRATIONS OPEN

8.25am MC Rebecca Milliken to officially open forum

8.30am Welcome to Country

8.40am Kay Hull AM, Chair, AgriFutures Australia

8.50am Fiona Simson, National Farmers’ Federation

9:05am Jo Grainger, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

9.20am Kevin Goss, Former Deputy Chair, AgriFutures Australia

9.40am MORNING TEA

10.10am John Harvey, Managing Director, AgriFutures Australia

10.35am PANEL 1: Growing ProfitabilityCHAIR: Michael Beer - AgriFutures Australia

• Catherine Chicken - Thoroughbred Horses • Ian Mason - Rice• John McKew - Export Fodder • Shane Oster - Pasture Seeds• Doug Somerville - Honey Bee & Pollination • Greg Underwood - Chicken Meat

Program

11.40am PANEL 2: National Opportunities and Challenges CHAIR: Jen Medway - AgriFutures Australia

• Grant Hamilton - Horizon Scanning • Sam Trethewey - SproutX • Damian Zammit - Water Save • Ben van Delden - KPMG

12.40pm LUNCH

1.20pm PANEL 3: People and Leadership CHAIR: Rebecca Milliken - Delta Agribusiness

• Sandra Ireson - 2017 NSW/ACT AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award Winner • Eliza Star - Horizon Scholar• Ben Stockwin - Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia

2.20pm PANEL 4: Emerging IndustriesCHAIR: Alexandra Gartmann - Rural Bank

• Duncan Farquhar - AgriFutures Australia• Tony Larkman - Tea Tree Oil • David McNeil - New and Emerging Plant Industries • Shane Templeton - Ginger

3.20pm AFTERNOON TEA

3.40pm Open floor stakeholder feedback session

4.40pm FORUM CLOSE

5.30pm Travel to AgriFutures Australia office

5.45pm Tour of AgriFutures Australia office

6.30pm COCKTAIL PARTY - Magpies Nest

10.00pm First bus departs Magpies Nest

10.30pm Final bus departs Magpies Nest

Program

Speaker biographies

Fiona Simson National Farmers’ Federation

With tertiary qualifications in business and education, Fiona’s passion for local food production and the growth and sustainability of rural and regional Australia led to an extensive career in local government. Passionate about the power of a unified voice for agriculture, Fiona also believes in its role in a strong and vibrant future for regional Australia.

Fiona sits on the Board of NRMA (NSW), the Australian Made Campaign Ltd, AgStewardship Australia and the Australian Farmers Fighting Fund. Fiona is also the elected President of the National Farmers’ Federation and currently runs a mixed farming enterprise in NSW.

Jo Grainger Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

Jo Grainger is the Assistant Secretary for the Wool, Dairy, Wine, Small and Emerging Industries Branch at the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. Working in the public service for 12 years, Jo has worked on agriculture, competition and telecommunications policy.

Ian Mason Rice Advisory Panel

Ian has more than 40 years’ experience in the rice industry, as both a grower and an industry representative. A member of the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA)’s Central Executive for 22 years, he has been a member of the organisation’s Rice Research and Development Committee for 20 years, including the past 10 years as Chair. Ian is a Nuffield Scholar, studying rice breeding internationally as well as water policy, and has overseen a range of significant R&A developments across the industry, ranging from water use efficiency, yield improvements to varietal development and adoption of new technology. Ian is also a Board member of R&D focussed group Southern Growers and a member and delegate for Southern Riverina Irrigators. He has a passion for the advancement of younger growers, regularly encouraging new and emerging growers to explore pathways to leadership.

Michael Beer AgriFutures Australia

Michael has an extensive background in agriculture across animal and plant industries, government and business sectors. He has led and managed innovation programs in the private and public sectors that have resulted in world’s best practice in beef eating quality, livestock identification and traceability.

Raised and educated in Wagga Wagga, Michael has a deep appreciation of rural Australia. Sharing his experience and supporting primary industry development has been a life-long endeavour which Michael hopes to continue for years to come.

Panel Growing Profitability

Dr Catherine Chicken Scone Equine Hospital

Catherine has a PhD in Veterinary Microbiology. She is a consultant to the Scone Equine Hospital on Pathology and Infectious Disease, is a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Medicine of Horses, a former member of Equine Veterinarians Australia Executive, a previous Scientific Editor of the Australian Equine Veterinarian and a former Superintendent of Scone Equine Hospital Clovelly ICU. She heads the Scone Equine Group Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. Catherine has worked in mixed and equine practice in Australia and England and in stud practice at Newmarket Equine Hospital. She is based at the Scone Equine Hospital Laboratory and consults to various farms in the investigation of specific disease outbreaks.

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Shane Oster Alpha Group Consulting

Shane Oster grew up on a family farm. After completing his Bachelor of Agriculture in 1996, he was employed by a local consulting business, later taking it over and finally merging in 2007 to form Alpha Group Consulting, where he still works as Managing Director. Alpha Group Consulting has grown to be the largest lucerne seed monitoring and consulting business in Australia and has a specific IPM focus.

Shane was also one of the key drivers in the formation of Lucerne Australia in 2005, serving on the committee for over 10 years and continues to work closely with them.Shane joined the AgriFutures Australia Pasture Seeds Advisory Panel in late 2015. He is passionate about the pasture seeds industry and communicating research outcomes to stakeholders.

John McKew Australian Fodder Industry Association

John McKew is the CEO of the Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA). Prior to joining AFIA, he was the CEO for the Beef Breed Society, Herefords Australia. John has also worked for Dairy Australia in roles encompassing corporate communications, stakeholder engagement and industry relations.

Coming from a farming background, John has established a strong career within Australian agriculture and understands intrinsically the challenges the industry face. John holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Deakin University and is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is currently the AFIA Director on the Grains Industry Market Access Forum (GIMAF) and is a Director of a private marketing company, Admark Pty Ltd.

Panel Growing Profitability

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Doug Somerville NSW Department of Primary Industries

With 40 years of experience, Doug has been involved with the beekeeping industries of several countries and published over 500 technical sheets, scientific papers, project reports and articles for general beekeeping publications.

Doug holds a Master of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development as well as a PhD from the Australian National University in Canberra. Employed by NSW Department of Primary Industries for 30 years, Doug’s current role is Technical Specialist Honey Bees.

Doug obtained the Award of Excellence by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council in 2010. In 2015 he received the Goodacre Award, which is the highest Australian beekeeping industry award. Doug is currently appointed as the Adjunct Associate Professor at Southern Cross University.

Greg Underwood Bioproperties Pty Ltd

Greg has more than 16 years’ experience in project and business management, primarily in the veterinary biotechnology and agribusiness sectors. Specialising in poultry health and production systems, he is a former Director of the Australian Poultry Cooperative Research Centre and former Managing Director of Lohmann Layers Australia, Hy-Line Australia and Broiler Breeders Australia. Greg is currently the Group R&D Manager for Bioproperties Pty Ltd, which researches, manufactures and supplies vaccines globally, and a Director of Aves Consulting. Greg is personally motivated to deliver innovative solutions to industry problems. He has a strong focus on supporting local businesses to achieve high performance through a sustainable and ethical production system with a global outlook.

Jen Medway AgriFutures Australia

Jen has a strong passion for agriculture, having grown up on a sheep and wool property and graduating from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (Hons).

Jen is the Program Manager of AgriFutures Australia’s National Rural Issues Program, which invests in research to underpin sound policy decisions. She plays a key role in managing cross-sectoral projects and is an experienced policy and project manager.

Jen has always had a keen interest in agricultural policy and has worked at the Australian Government Department of Agriculture. She has completed major projects as a senior consultant, including authoring a report for Australia’s legacy to the G20 and running many industry strategic planning processes.

Panel National Opportunities & Challenges

Dr Grant Hamilton Queensland University of Technology

Dr Grant Hamilton is a Senior Lecturer in Ecology at Queensland University of Technology. He has expertise in statistical prediction, biosecurity, remote sensing and agricultural analytics.

Grant has a broad view across the sector in experimental design using new sensor technologies and integration with appropriate modelling techniques.

Grant is currently the project team leader for AgriFutures Australia’s “Detecting opportunities and challenges for Australian agriculture”. He has also recently been appointed as research lead on the use of drones and advanced image analysis on crop diseases with Plant Biosecurity CRC, QDAF and GRDC.

Sam Trethewey SproutX

Sam has worked in agriculture for over 15 years and now manages SproutX. His exceptional comprehension of Australian agriculture, investment, AgTech, and food and fibre production has assisted him to build a broad portfolio of experience.

Sam was an integral part of building Australia’s first AgTech Accelerator, SproutX, which promotes co-working space programs and innovation within the sector. He also has extensive experience as an agribusiness advisor and has developed several strategies to profile-raise agribusiness clients. His experience and expertise is supported by an Executive Master in Business Administration from Bond University.

Sam’s first TED Talk in 2015 cemented him in the industry as a regular keynote speaker to address a range of audiences where he’s often asked to comment in the media and challenge the status quo to inspire fresh thinking.

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Damian Zammit Water Save

A serial startup entrepreneur, Damian’s experience in innovation and commercialisation brings unique insights to his role as Director of Water Save, connecting people and engaging in change management.

As an accredited trainer in business management as well as coaching, Damian has a knack for identifying entrepreneurial ideas and delivering results. He’s co-founded several initiatives including theSPACE Cairns, theSPACE Australasia, Emerging Entrepreneurs, Startup Cairns and loT Australasia.

In 2014, Damian took out the ultimate title of Innovation Champion alongside co-founder, Troy Haines, and was also inducted into the Queensland Government Innovation Wall of Fame.

Ben van Delden KPMG

As KPMG’s Head of Markets and AgTech Sector Leader, Ben has over 20 years of experience with KPMG, and has worked with a global client base. Ben has specialised in providing audit, accounting, innovation and business growth services to public and private organisations.

As leader of KPMG’s AgTech sector, Ben and his teams support clients across accelerators, government, research, VC, corporates and startups to identify opportunities. Ben is leading engagements in the fields of AgTech and the Internet of Things and works with several of Australia’s Rural Research and Development Corporations and global agribusinesses.

Ben is a Non Executive Director on the newly established $210m Food Agility CRC Ltd, that aims to transform and digitalise the food production systems and drive new value and business models.

In November 2016, Ben participated in the Australian Trade Delegation to look at Israel’s food and AgTech ecosystem and is actively engaged in driving actions from this mission by helping industry and research sectors better engage.

Rebecca Milliken Delta Agribusiness

Rebecca (Bec) grew up on a sheep and cattle property on the Hay Plains before attending university at the Australian National University in Canberra, where she studied Commerce and Asian Studies.

She now runs Human Resources for Delta Agribusiness, looking after recruitment, talent management, learning and development, leadership and succession, workplace health and safety across NSW.

Bec is passionate about people, building strategic partnerships and creating environments for growth. She is committed to a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration throughout the agriculture sector by challenging the status quo. She has recently been sponsored by AgriFutures Australia to join Course 24 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and is the current President of the Riverina Ag Network.

Panel People & Leadership

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Sandra Ireson 2017 NSW/ACT AgriFuturesTM Rural Women’s Award Winner

Sandra owns and operates a beef cattle and sheep enterprise near Booligal, NSW and grew up on a Merino sheep property. She studied Agriculture at University of Western Sydney before working in the veterinary and agricultural animal health industry in sales and marketing.

In 2014, Sandra co-developed the Hay Inc. Rural Education Program to address the challenge of reduced numbers of young people entering or staying in agricultural communities.

As the 2017 NSW/ACT AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner, Sandra will build on the success of the Hay Inc. Rural Education Program by developing an adaptable model to promote the initiative to other rural communities, creating opportunities for careers in agriculture.

Sandra is also passionate about creating leadership and networking opportunities for women. She is involved with the National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC) as a member of the NRWC Communication Reference Group.

Ben Stockwin Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia

Ben Stockwin is a board member of the Australian Beef Industry Foundation and a member of Landcare Australia Ltd National Advisory Group. As CEO of the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA), Ben is a passionate educator, having worked in schools for 15 years in both Queensland and Tasmania, including eight years as a school principal.

Ben’s focus is on educating children about Australia’s primary industries, promoting PIEFA as the leading coordinating body for food and endorsing fibre education in Australian schools, whilst operating the web portals Primezone and Career Harvest.

Eliza Star Horizon Scholar

Eliza graduated from the Horizon Scholarship Program in 2015. Developed and managed by AgriFutures Australia, the program identified the next generation of agricultural leaders and builds their skills and capacity during their university studies. Eliza was sponsored by Cotton Research & Development Corporation.

Eliza currently works as a marketing and grower services representative for Australia’s largest cotton merchant, Queensland Cotton. Currently based in the Riverina, Eliza is responsible for providing accumulation of cotton seed and lint.

Growing up on an irrigation property near Carrathool, NSW, Eliza is passionate about the evolution of cotton production in Southern NSW. Eliza has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Charles Sturt University and is secretary for the Southern Valleys Cotton Growers Association.

Panel Emerging Industries

Alexandra Gartmann Rural Bank

Alexandra joined Rural Bank as CEO in October 2015, having been a member of the Board since November 2014. Before joining Rural Bank, Alexandra was CEO of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, a charitable foundation supporting the economic prosperity of rural, regional and remote communities. Prior to this, Alexandra held the position of CEO of the Birchip Cropping Group for 10 years.

Alexandra is a member of the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership and a member of the Victorian Agriculture Advisory Council. Alexandra was previously a member of the Board of the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria and was Chair of the CSIRO Agriculture Advisory Council until 2017. She has been a member of the Crawford Fund, National Rural Advisory Council, La Trobe University Regional Advisory Board and AgriFutures Australia National Rural Issues Consultative Group.

Tony Larkman Australian Tea Tree Industry Association Limited

Tony Larkman is the CEO of the Australian Tea Tree Industry Association Limited (ATTIA Ltd).

Tony works closely with growers, producers, researchers and regulatory bodies to ensure pure Australian tea tree oil steam distilled from Melaleuca Alternifolia retains its reputation and pre-eminence in all markets. His main passion is combatting the adulteration of essential oils globally.

Duncan Farquhar AgriFutures Australia

Duncan comes from a mixed cropping farm in North-East Tasmania with potatoes, peas, poppies, sheep and cattle as core enterprises. Duncan undertook an international cadetship for marketing essential oils with UK-based company Treatt PLC before completing an agricultural science degree at the University of Tasmania.

Duncan brings a range of experience, working in research roles and with TAS Department of Primary Industries as a Horticulturist/Viticulturist whilst studying his Masters of Business Administration.

In 2007, Duncan came to Wagga Wagga to work within the wine industry, before consulting and lecturing at Charles Sturt University. Duncan commenced his role at AgriFutures Australia in late 2016, where he manages the New Industries Program as well as ginger, tea tree oil, deer, buffalo, bio energy programs and projects in Q Fever and weeds biocontrol.

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Shane Templeton Australian Ginger Industry Association

Shane is a third generation ginger grower for the Templeton family farming business, based at Eumundi in Queensland, with farming operations expanding to Gympie and Maryborough.

Shane has also served as a company board director for Buderim Ginger Limited and continues to provide a special advisory role to the company.

Shane is the President of the Australian Ginger Industry Association (AGIA). In recent years this role has included navigating major production battles like Pythium outbreaks in ginger, which almost decimated the industry. Shane was also involved with Biosecurity Australia’s Import Risk Assessment for fresh ginger imports, leading to significant biosecurity measures implemented industry-wide.

Shane holds a Bachelor of Business from the Queensland University of Technology and is a Fellow Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Professor David McNeil

Professor David McNeil completed a PhD on lupins in 1979 and since then has worked widely across the field of agriculture and plant sciences in several universities, agriculture departments and as a private consultant.

David has had a major involvement with industry in developing new crops from breeding to consumer values. He has released selections of walnuts, chestnuts and hazelnuts in New Zealand as well as leading groups in breeding and releasing field crop varieties. He was the scientific convenor and proceedings editor of the 6th International Walnut Symposium and has written books on safety and quality management in walnuts as well as a recent manual for growing Plantago ovata.

In addition to extensive university appointments, he has held positions internationally as well as study leave periods overseas, working on molecular genetics and walnut and hazelnut research.

Professor David McNeil now runs a horticulture/agriculture consulting business. David also chairs the AgriFutures Australia New and Emerging Plant Industry Panel and frequently travels overseas as a global expert on walnuts and Plantago ovata.

AgriFutures New & Emerging Plant Industries Advisory Panel

Meet and greet

Wednesday, 25 October at 6:00pmRomano’s Hotel (Laneway)81 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga Take the opportunity to meet industry peers at the Laneway at Romano’s Hotel in central Wagga Wagga. Introduce yourself to speakers and other delegates who come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences within the agriculture sector. Attendees range from academics, farmers, industry leaders and entrepreneurs. Food and beverages are at the cost of the delegate.

AgriFutures Australia office tour

Thursday, 26 October from 5:30pm to 6:30pmAgriFutures Australia OfficeBuilding 007, Tooma WayCharles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga Tour the AgriFutures Australia office and take in one of the best views of the university campus. The office tour is a chance to meet the AgriFutures Australia team, enjoy some drinks and nibbles, network and wind down for the afternoon.

Buses will pick up from Bolton on the Park at 5.15pm, Quest Apartments at 5.20pm, Mantra Pavilion Hotel at 5.25pm, and Wagga RSL Club at 5.30pm. Once the office tour is complete, delegates will be transferred to the cocktail party. Cocktail party

Thursday, 26 October from 6:30pm to 10:30pmMagpies NestPine Gully Road, Wagga Wagga Dress code: smart casual To celebrate the conclusion of the AgriFutures Australia Stakeholder Forum, join us for a casual evening of canapés, featuring fresh regional produce, beverages and entertainment. With sweeping views across the surrounding farmland and Murrumbidgee River, Magpies Nest is a picturesque setting to network and wrap up the day’s proceedings. Bus transport to and from Magpies Nest will be available to all attendees. Buses will transport delegates from the AgriFutures Australia office at 6:30pm, arriving at Magpies Nest shortly thereafter. Two buses will transport guests to their accommodation after the cocktail party at 10.00pm and 10.30pm respectively.

Welcome reception & cocktail party information

People and leadership

Rural industries are equipped with skilled people and the leadership to grow and prosper.

− Rural Women’s Award− Horizon Scholarship− Emerging leaders− Investing in people

National challenges and opportunities

Challenges and opportunities that are common across rural sectors are identified and addressed.

− National rural issues− Emerging technologies− ExtensionAUS− Nationally coordinated initiatives:

• The Climate Change Research Strategy for Primary Industries• Primary Industries Health and Safety Partnership• Improved seasonal forecasting• Biocontrol of weeds• Securing pollination• Q Fever• Australian biomass and bioenergy assessment

Growing profitability

Industry participants are confident that their levy investment is delivering value.

− Rice− Chicken meat− Export fodder− Honey bee and pollination − Thoroughbred horses− Smaller levied industries:

• Ginger • Tea tree oil • Pasture seeds • Goat fibre • Buffalo • Kangaroo • Deer • Ratite

Emerging industries

High-potential emerging rural industries established.

− New and emerging rural industries− Examples include:

• Kakadu plum• Camel milk• Quinoa

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OutcomeArenas Programs

Our people

Mrs Kay Hull AM (Chair)Mr John Harvey (Managing Director)Dr Kate Andrews Mr Ric Clark Dr Kate Grenot Dr Tony HamiltonMr Ian HendersonDr Bill Ryan

Belinda AllittGeneral Manager, Communications and Capacity Building

02 6923 69190429 598 965belinda.allitt@agrifutures.com.au

Board of Directors

Leadership Team

Louise HeaslipGeneral Manager, Business and Finance

02 6923 69030428 219 747louise.heaslip@agrifutures.com.au

Michael BeerGeneral Manager, Research and Innovation

02 6923 69150429 566 730michael.beer@agrifutures.com.au

John HarveyManaging Director, AgriFutures Australia

02 6923 6900john.harvey@agrifutures.com.au

AgriFutures Australia

@AgriFuturesAU agrifutures.com.auinfo@agrifutures.com.au

Building 007Tooma WayCharles Sturt UniversityLocked Bag 588Wagga Wagga NSW 2650