Ag Day Conference Speakers
Genevieve Jacobs, Group Editor for Region Media
Conference and gala dinner MC - Genevieve Jacobs
Group Editor, Region Media
Genevieve Jacobs is the Group Editor for Region Media, Australia’s fastest growing digital news platform. Her long career as a regional journalist includes more than a decade broadcasting with ABC Canberra, encompassing a passion for telling the stories of our community from a deeply local perspective.
Genevieve chairs the ACT arts minister’s Creative Advisory Council and co-chairs the ACT Reconciliation Council.
She sits on the boards of the Cultural Facilities Corporation, the National Folk Festival and Canberra International Music Festival, and the ANU School of Music Advisory Board. She is a director of the Conflict Resolution Service and the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture. Genevieve has an enduring interest in building and strengthening community engagement, and a strong belief in the importance of public interest journalism.
Genevieve has an enduring interest in building community, and creating discussions that include us all. And she still loves nothing better than a good yarn. Genevieve is a partner in the family farming enterprise at Wallendbeen.
Learn More
https://www.linkedin.com/company/region-media-group/
https://www.facebook.com/riotactnews
https://www.facebook.com/AboutRegional
Gen Jacobs - https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevievejacobs/
Women in Ag Discussion Panellist - Belinda Kelly
Biodiversity and Sustainability Manager, Rugby Pastoral Co.
Belinda Kelly has spent a lifetime in rural business, she has experienced all aspects of animal breeding and welfare, land management and business. The primary driver of all business decisions on Rugby Station over the past 35 years has been the long term financial and environmental sustainability. The 'whole of ecology' focus along with her business experience is driven by a desire to ensure the viability of the enterprise for future generations. Her focus has resulted in an increased emphasis on biodiversity preservation. Belinda oversees the biodiversity corridors, tree planting, weed control and the population monitoring of plants, animals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Now, Belinda’s focus is the long term financial and environmental sustainability in the face of climate change; communicating the need to take this whole of ecology approach, with recognition that saved biodiversity needs large numbers of land managers to act so breeding can continue. Climate change affects all people, and we can contribute to a better environmental outcome, those managing land have a great opportunity to save species by recognising the land they manage as habitat for biodiversity.
Belinda’s focus in her industry:
There is a great opportunity for women to contribute to a more resilient farm sector by focusing on financial and environmental sustainability.
Belinda’s key topics:
Connectivity
Farming Practices
Women in Ag
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Belinda Kelly, Biodiversity and Sustainability Manager, Rugby Pastoral Co.
Georgie Kelly, Livestock Manager, Rugby Pastoral Co.
Women in Ag Discussion Panellist - Georgie Kelly
Livestock Manager, Rugby Pastoral Co.
Georgie Kelly is running a grazing operation at Rugby producing merino wool, fat lambs and beef. Prior to starting a livestock management role on Rugby Station, she worked on a large northern Queensland cattle property followed by completing a Agribusiness degree at University of New England. She is passionate about sustainably managing her livestock enterprise and has a very strong interest in art and history. She is passionate about cattle trading and embracing new technologies in both the sheep and cattle industries.
Georgie’s key topics:
Farming Practices
Women in Ag
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Jen Medway - Farmer, Penrose Pastoral Co and Manager of Regional Tech Hub
Digital Innovation, Connectivity Discussion Panellist - Jen Medway
Farmer, Penrose Pastoral Co and Manager of Regional Tech Hub
Jennifer is a fifth-generation farmer from Gunning NSW, where she runs a commercial merino sheep enterprise in partnership with her husband and three children. In 2003, Jennifer graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (Hons), starting her career in agriculture with the then Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Recently, Jennifer was the Senior Manager at AgriFutures Australia, leading a team investing $20.3m annually in strategic
research, innovation and collaborative partnerships. Jennifer currently works for the National Farmers' Federation managing the Regional Tech Hub, helping people in rural, regional and remote Australia get connected and stay connected.
Jennifer is also Deputy Chair of MerinoLink Pty Ltd and an executive member of several local community groups in the Upper Lachlan region. She was recently awarded the 2021 Lambition Award for Industry Leadership and is passionate about increasing the profitability and sustainability of Australia's agriculture sector and contributing to her thriving regional community.
Jen’s focus in ag and her industry is Connected Communities: ensuring no one in rural, regional and remote Australia is left behind.
Jen’s key topics:
Farming Practices
Digital Innovation
Connectivity
Women in Ag
Cressida Cains, Owner and Director, Pecora Group
Women in Ag Discussion Panellist - Cressida Cains
Owner and Director, Pecora Group
Cressida Cains is the co-founder and director of the Pecora Group of businesses which includes Pecora Dairy, Pecora Cheese and Wine and Dairy Cocoon. Pecora Dairy was the first cheesery in Australia licensed to make a raw milk cheese and has been consistently awarded for their innovation, research and excellence. Cressida is an innovator and entrepreneur who believes in challenging the status quo of Australian agriculture and doing things differently. She was the 2020 NSW Rural Women's Award winner and National Runner Up.
Cressida’s key topics:
Business Support
Farming Practices
Women in Ag
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Carolina Merriman, Chair of NSW Farmers Association – Yass Branch & Grazier
Women in Ag Discussion Panellist - Carolina Merriman
Chair of NSW Farmers Association – Yass Branch & Grazier
Carolina is the Chair of the Yass Branch of the NSW Farmers Association, been the first female elected to Chair in 2019 and sits on the Association's wool committee. A passionate advocate for Agriculture and Regional communities she believes her generation need more participation and have their voices heard. Carolina strives to be a role model for women on the land. In 2020 she was named on the NSW Hidden Treasure honour roll and in 2021 awarded a NSW Rural Women’s Scholarship for Future Women. A busy mum Carolina works part time for Elders Yass and is an active farmer in her family’s fine wool and trade cattle business.
Carolina’s focus in ag and her industry is the desire to see more natural fibres leading our fashion industry by encouraging everyone to be more sustainable. The movement of women in ag leadership is greatly supported and needed.
Carolina’s key topics:
Business Support
Farming Practices
Women in Ag
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Robert Herrmann, General Manager, Mecardo and Product Specialist, Nutrien Ag Solutions
Keynote Speaker - Digital Innovation & Farming Practices - Robert Herrmann
General Manager, Mecardo and Product Specialist, Nutrien Ag Solutions
Robert Herrmann is the founding Director of Mecardo, a specialist agricultural advisory business with its focus firmly on the financial enhancement of primary production and price risk management.
The company was established by Robert Herrmann in Adelaide in 1996 under the Ag Concepts Advisory brand. With a longstanding background in agriculture, Robert’s commitment was to deliver a high-quality proactive market risk analysis and advisory service to his clients.
Robert has more than forty years’ experience in the agriculture service sector, he has also recently been appointed to the role of Agency, Market & Product Specialist for Nutrien Ag Solutions.
Robert’s focus in ag and his industry is that Australian agriculture has a proud history of global leading initiatives. The future will require more of the same; either as a defence against the expected challenges we know we will face, or as positive steps that will further enhance and improve our competitive advantages.
Robert’s key topics:
Digital Innovation
Farming Practices
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Nutrien Ag Solutions | Agricultural Products & Services
Darren Price, CEO/ Director, Price Rural Management Pty Ltd
Keynote Speaker - Digital Technology in Agriculture - Darren Price
CEO/ Director, Price Rural Management Pty Ltd
Having worked in large pastoral businesses across Australia for 35 years, Darren has a wealth of practical hands-on rural industry experience including holding the role of General Manager with a family owned Pastoral company for 22 years.
Currently, Darren consults to industry in Agribusiness and Digital Technology.
Darren has had on the ground involvement in the roll out, implementation and evaluation of over 700 digital devices, servicing 36,000 hectares across all connectivity types.
Darren’s expert knowledge and leadership in precision agriculture assists in delivering producer awareness, producer adoption and demonstrable impact of precision agriculture.
Darren’s key topics:
Digital Innovation
Connectivity
Farming Practices
Darren’s focus in ag and his industry is Digital Technology in Agriculture and its progression.
Mick Keogh, Deputy Chair, ACCC
Keynote Speaker - Mick Keogh
Deputy Chair, ACCC
Mick Keogh was appointed to the ACCC in February 2016, and then as Deputy Chair of the ACCC in 2018, with responsibility for Small Business and Agriculture.
Mick’s role at the ACCC includes involvement in a range of committees including the Competition Exemptions, Enforcement, Compliance and Product Safety, Mergers Review and Electricity Markets Board, as well as oversight of the small business, franchising and agriculture units of the ACCC.
Mick has a long and diverse history of involvement with the small business and agriculture sector, including periods of employment as a business consultant, and in advocacy and advisory roles to policymakers and governments. He has also chaired several Commonwealth Government inquiries and Ministerial advisory boards. He is currently a member of the Commonwealth Government’s Emission Reduction Assurance Council, and a Board member of the Food Agility Co-operative Research Centre.
From 2003 to 2018, he was Executive Director of the Australian Farm Institute, an independent policy research institute that conducted research into strategic policy issues of importance to Australian agriculture and regional Australia. Mick continued in that role until his appointment as Deputy Chair of the ACCC in June 2018.
Mick was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2015. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science, both obtained at the University of New South Wales, and a Doctor of Applied Science (honoris causa) from Charles Sturt University.
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Chris Stevenson, Telstra Industry Specialist for Agribusiness, Supply Chain and Retail
Digital Innovation, Connectivity Discussion Panellist - Chris Stevenson
Telstra Industry Specialist for Agribusiness, Supply Chain and Retail
Chris is an agriculture, supply chain and retail industry specialist. He grew up on the family farms outside Dubbo and is still involved in his family farm outside Orange. He has spent the last 25 years designing, implementing, and managing global, regional and local supply chain solutions for multinational companies and more recently has been doing supply chain and retail consultancy. He joined Telstra to leverage his experience and passions to help tailor our offers for the agribusiness, supply chain and the retail market. Chris is passionate about the power of digital enablement and digital connectivity and the opportunity this creates to optimise operational processes while opening the door to new markets and value.
Robyn Alders, Honorary Professor, Chair, Upper Lachlan Branch NSW Farmers, Food and nutrition security researcher & Merino sheep grazier
Keynote speaker - Food security, biosecurity, Economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable agricultural production – Robyn Alders AO
Honorary Professor, Chair, Upper Lachlan Branch NSW Farmers, Food and nutrition security researcher & Merino sheep grazier
Robyn Alders AO, BVSc, PhD, is an Honorary Professor (Australian National University and Royal Veterinary College, UK) and a Senior Consulting Fellow, Chatham House Global Health Programme. For over 30 years, she has worked closely with family farmers Africa, SE Asia and The Pacific with an emphasis on the development of sustainable livestock production in support of food and nutrition security through a One Health lens. In 2012, Robyn returned to Australia and is based on her merino sheep farm on the NSW Southern Tablelands where she is the Chair of the Upper Lachlan NSW Farmers’ Association Branch.
Learn More
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-alders-32b0b616/?originalSubdomain=au
Twitter: @RobynAlders
NSW Farmers Association: https://www.nswfarmers.org.au
Upper Lachland Landcare Grazing Group: https://upperlachlanlandcare.org.au/projects/83-main/122-upper-lachlan-landcare-grazing-group
Robert Hardie, Executive Manager – Health and Agriculture, nbn
Digital Innovation, Connectivity Discussion Panellist - Robert Hardie
Executive Manager – Health and Agriculture, nbn
Robert Hardie is Executive Manager for Health and Agriculture at nbn. Robert joined nbn in April 2020 and since then has been working with key stakeholders in rural, remote and regional Australia to lift digital capability in the health and agriculture sectors. Robert brings more than 15 years’ experience of public policy development and advocacy to his role, including time as a political adviser to the Australian Government and policy director for NSW Farmers. Outside work, Robert is a Director with Masters Swimming Australia and a committee member with the NSW Farm Writers’ Association.
The team at nbn is focused on helping Australia’s farmers to save time, grow productivity and make more informed decisions using the capabilities of the nbn® network. According to nbn research, Australian farmers stand to benefit from a $15.6bn improvement in productivity (by 2030) from the adoption of internet-enabled digital agriculture, representing a 25% improvement on 2019 productivity levels. Understanding how the various pieces of the connectivity puzzle fit together will enable our farmers to reach towards the $100bn by 2030 target, and give farmers the ability to move towards the adoption of greater automation and use of robotics in their farm business.
Learn More
www: www.nbn.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbnaustralia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nbn-co-limited/mycompany/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nbn_australia
Joanna Stanion - First Assistant Secretary of Agricultural Policy Division in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
guest Speaker - Joanna Stanion
First Assistant Secretary of Agricultural Policy Division in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Joanna is responsible for national policy and legislative frameworks that contribute to the productivity, competitiveness and profitability of Australia’s agricultural, food and fibre industries. Some of her key focuses are the opportunities innovation can make to growing Australian agriculture and food, building the agricultural workforce and supporting farmers to strengthen their position in the supply chain through fairness in contracting and appropriate regulation.
Joanna has been in the Australian Public Service for over 25 years, working across the workplace relations, employment, education and human services portfolios in policy, program and service delivery.
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Rob Lansdown, Business Development Manager, Zetifi
Digital Innovation, Connectivity Discussion Panellist - Rob Lansdown
Business Development Manager, Zetifi
Rob is the Business Development Lead for Zetifi – a regionally-based startup that has boldly taken up the challenge of providing ubiquitous broadband connectivity to farmers.
As neither a farmer or telecommunications veteran, he provides the critical interface between the agricultural sector and the Zetifi engineering team to ensure the company’s products address the connectivity needs of farmers and are clearly understood.
Rob has qualifications in science, education and marketing from the University of New South Wales and prior to joining Zetifi, he spent 17 years in strategic marketing roles at a national and international level in the medical device sector.
Suzannah Cowley, Founder Nviro Media, Journalist and Filmmaker
MC/Mediator – Women in Ag Panel Discussion - Suzannah Cowley
Founder Nviro Media, Journalist and Filmmaker
Suzannah Cowley is a former TV News Journalist who now runs her own boutique film production agency based in the Southern Highlands creating films about Agriculture and the Environment, her goal is to create “Films to Inspire Change”.
Some of her filming partners include LLS South East and Landcare Australia. Nviro Media produced the RDASI AG Day 2021 film celebrating the farmers of the Southern Inland Region. In recent years some of her most rewarding work has been sharing films about Land Management Change from Soil Health to First Nations perspectives including a video series for Junior Landcare on creating a bush tucker garden incorporating practical reconciliation with Traditional Owners.
A huge supporter of Women in Agriculture Suzannah strives through her work to raise the voice of women in agriculture and always enjoys hearing the perspectives of all farmers from communities right across Australia.
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Instagram:@Nviro Media