Grains, Seeds and Hay Biosecurity Industry Funding Scheme: Annual Report 2013/14

Industry Management Committee Members

The terms of all the members of the inaugural Industry Management Committee expired in 2013. Nominations were sought from Industry and assessed by an Appointments Committee comprised of industry representatives. The Appointments Committee made recommendations to the Minister for Agriculture and Food on the Committee membership and terms of appointment. The newly appointed Committee began operating in September 2013, with the Committee appointing the Chairperson.

Mr Barry Large (Chairperson) runs a 8500ha family farm in the Miling area. The main focus of the farm is a 6000ha cropping program, which is complemented by a Merino flock. As well as sitting on a number of national agricultural industry bodies, Barry is a member of the Biosecurity Council of Western Australia, a grower representative on the Biosecurity GrainGuard, a Director of Grain Producers Australia and a Director of the Grains Industry Market Access Forum.

Mr Tim Cattle currently runs a robust mixed farming enterprise in Lake King. Tim has an active interest in the local community and surrounding areas.

Mr Ron Creagh owns and operates a broadacre cropping and livestock enterprise in the Shires of Nungarin and Trayning. He is a founding member of the Ningham Focus Group, and a past President of the Nungarin Shire Council. Ron was a member of the Agriculture Protection Board, Chairman of the GrainGuard initiative and member of the Biosecurity Council of Western Australia. Ron is currently appointed to the Grain Industries Association of WA’s Wheat Council.

Mr Chris Gillam runs a mixed cropping, sheep and cattle enterprise in Dongara, with a focus on a wide range of crops. He has been involved in Better Farm IQ and EMS with the Mingenew-Irwin Group (MIG), and has sat on various groups including the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council, MIG, the CLIMA Grower Advisory Group, the Pulse and Oilseeds Partnership Group, and WAFarmers. He is active in his community with previous roles in local government, including time as the Chief Fire Control Officer.

Mr David Leake farms a mixed cropping and sheep property at Kellerberrin in the central wheatbelt, and also operates a small winery/café in the Perth Hills. He has represented WAFarmers on a variety of biosecurity committees, and has been very active in local catchment projects demonstrating best practice in saline areas. David has also been very committed to on-farm trials on sundry agronomic issues through the Kellerberrin Demonstration Group.

Ms Suzanne Woods is partner in a 2000ha cropping business in the Calingiri district, producing hay for domestic and export markets. She has been active in numerous local, regional, state and national groups associated with agriculture and rural communities.

Mr Brian Young runs a wheat/sheep farm at Kondinin. As a former member of the Agriculture Protection Board, Brian has a good understanding of the need for effective biosecurity measures.