Western Dairy Team

Julianne Hill leads the Western Dairy team in engaging and supporting WA’s 132 dairy farm businesses. Julianne holds an MBA (Griffith University); Bachelor of Management - Farm Business (University of Sydney); Associate Diploma in Agriculture (Muresk); Graduate Certificate in Regional Agricultural Development Planning; and a Certificate III in Business (Frontline Management).

She has developed a range of management and extension skills over three decades working within the agricultural industry in WA and interstate, including more than nine years contracted to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

Julianne and her husband farm at Brunswick, running beef cattle, merinos and prime lambs. She is excited to be working in the dairy industry, supporting farmers and their communities to become more profitable, sustainable and resilient.

Dan Parnell is an experienced agronomist who works with farmers to improve dairy effluent management and water quality outcomes through the Dairy for Healthy Estuaries project, a partnership with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

 

He also assists with the annual benchmarking of the WA dairy industry through the Dairy Farm Monitor Project and delivers Feeding Pastures for Profit workshops.

India Brockman coordinates the WA Young Dairy Network and Western Dairy’s portfolio of events, including the annual Dairy Innovation Day conference and exhibition. India has worked on a variety of dairy farms and has strong skills in animal health, fertility, calf-rearing and pasture management. She holds a Bachelor of Science – Anatomy and Human Biology from UWA (2014) and is inspired by the dairy industry’s capacity for innovation and continual improvement.

Rob La Grange coordinates the Our Farm Our Plan program which is designed to equip farmers with tools to clarify their long-term goals, identify and prioritise actions, and manage uncertainty and risk.

Rob has been a valued member of the Western Dairy team since 2011, applying his broad skills and dairy industry knowledge to a range of extension, training and mentoring roles.

Fiona Jones coordinates the Western Dairy training program in partnership with South Regional TAFE and supports those trainees studying Cert III and Cert IV in Agriculture (Dairy) to fulfil their professional goals.

Fiona has more than 17 years of experience in livestock research and extension, focusing on grazing management, genetic selection, maternal productivity, ruminant nutrition and dietary introductions, as well as measuring methane emissions from grazing beef cattle. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from UWA and a Masters in Animal Nutrition from Murdoch University. Fiona enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge of the agricultural industry and supporting the younger generation of agriculturalists.

Gemma Longford connects farmers to information, resources and training in the areas of Human Resources, Workplace Health, Safety and Wellbeing.

She has a professional background in communication, event management, facilitation and agribusiness, and has a genuine desire to help farm businesses and the WA dairy industry become Employers of Choice.

Jenelle Carter works with Western Dairy, Dairy Australia, farmers, service providers and government partners to enhance the dairy industry’s sustainability, profitability and reputation.

Jenelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from Murdoch University and has worked as a journalist and communications professional across media, mining and Landcare sectors for more than 15 years.

Kirk Reynolds is an experienced agribusiness and agricultural science consultant.

 

He is contracted by Western Dairy to coordinate the Dairy Farm Monitor Project and to support the WA Dairy Business Network discussion groups.

Sam Taylor is a highly respected agronomist and an accredited designer of dairy farm effluent systems.

 

Sam is contracted by Western Dairy to provide technical support to the Smarter Irrigation for Profit 2 project and the Dairy for Healthy Estuaries project.

Esther Jones (nee Price) supports Western Dairy’s special projects, including its iconic annual Dairy Innovation Day conference and exhibition.

An agricultural marketing and events manager, Esther was appointed Western Dairy regional manager and executive officer in 1999. She retired from these positions in 2020 after two decades of dedicated leadership and service to the dairy industry.