Mr Roberts, a dairy farmer from Bega in New South Wales, was named chairman at Dairy Australia’s Annual General Meeting in Melbourne today. He remains in the position after taking over from long-time industry leader Pat Rowley last year.

Dr Ginnivan said the company would continue to benefit from Mr Roberts’ experience representing farmers at state and national organisations including Bega Cheese, Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme, New South Wales Farmers’ Federation and Australian Dairy Farmers.

“Importantly, his experience on various industry bodies is informed by a first hand knowledge of dairy farming earned through some 30 years on the land,” he said.

Mr Roberts said the industry had seen significant change in the five years since farmers voted to establish Dairy Australia.

He said deregulation, floods, cyclones, and two major droughts had permanently changed the dairying landscape and Dairy Australia had evolved to address those changes.

“Dairy Australia has moved from being primarily a research enabler to a broad dairy services provider which works for farmers to achieve what no one farmer could achieve alone.”

Mr Roberts said the fact that two thirds of dairy farmers voted in March this year to continue or increase dairy service levy payments was a clear signal farmers saw real value in Dairy Australia.

“Dairy Australia’s board and management are pleased with this endorsement. But I assure you we are not complacent. We understand the pain and uncertainty that this year has brought to so many. That’s why Dairy Australia pooled industry and government resources to lead a comprehensive response to the drought.

“Dairy Australia’s ability to respond so comprehensively, and in alliance with so many other parties is a testament to its growing maturity as an industry enabler and service provider,” Mr Roberts said.

The unique situation of record high prices for dairy on the international market combined with difficulties in supply has called for a re-think of Dairy Australia’s priorities, he added.

“We have reduced activity geared to growing volume milk markets and shifted the emphasis to maintaining and growing markets for higher margin products and components.

“The focus now is to build resilience, improve farm productivity and industry profitability, and ensure dairy provides a sustainable contribution to the Australian community,” Mr Roberts said.

He was confident the industry had a bright long-term future.

“We have quality skills and experience, a sound farming and manufacturing base, strong research and service support, strong international demand for dairy and an established and growing domestic market.”

Stephen O’Rourke was also re-elected to Dairy Australia’s board. Mr O’Rourke has been working for Murray Goulburn for the past 20 years and is the co-operative’s managing director and chief executive officer.

With a background in commerce and accounting, he has undertaken a number of roles within the co-operative, including company secretary, financial controller and finance director. Prior to the establishment of Dairy Australia he was a director of the Australian Dairy Corporation.

Mr O’Rourke said Dairy Australia must continue to ensure all its investments were relevant to industry needs and that the benefits flowed back to levy payers.

The final vacant position on Dairy Australia’s board was filled by new candidate Len Stephens. Dr Stephens has an extensive career in agricultural research and development across a range of industries, including dairy, and is managing director of Australian Seafood CRC.

After studying veterinary science at Melbourne University, Dr Stephens worked as a diagnostic pathologist for the dairy industry at the Victorian Department of Primary Industries before becoming head of the Victorian Institute of Animal Science at Attwood.

From there he moved into leadership roles at Meat Research Corporation and Meat & Livestock Australia, where he managed all on-farm and live-export research and development. He has also served as the chief executive officer of Australian Wool Innovation.

ENDS

For more information contact Sid Pickering on 03 9694 3894, or 0418 175 611 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it