|
 Well-known
western districts farmer, Graeme Moyle will head up the Hamilton Branch of
Southern Farming Systems for the coming year following branch elections at
the Annual General Meeting last month.
Mr Moyle, who operates a
cropping and grazing enterprise at Strathkellar east of Hamilton, takes on
the role of branch chairman following a three-year stint as vice chairman.
“The past couple of years
have proven very successful for the Hamilton Branch of Southern Farming
Systems and we will continue to organise events and research projects to
assist our members to increase productivity and maintain sustainability,” he
said.
Hamilton region graingrower
and lamb finisher, David Robertson was elected branch vice-chairman after
assisting on the general committee for the last two years.
The remainder of the branch
executive committee is unchanged with Hamilton district farmer, Brent
Herrmann, Craig Henson of Kelly & Henson at Dunkeld, and Steve Holden from
DPI Hamilton elected unopposed for another 12 months for the positions of
farmer representative, industry representative and DPI representative
respectively.
The newly appointed
committee then elected outgoing chairman, Rob Gardner as branch director to
replace retiring director, Don Price. Mr Gardner will now act as the
Hamilton representative on the SFS board of management and assist in the
future direction of the overall organisation.
Elected general committee
members include Paul Nagorcka, Paul Mibus, Rob Roache, Kathyrn Robertson,
Penny Riffkin, Bryce Headlam, Don Price and James Stewart.
Mr Moyle said the success of
the Hamilton Branch was a credit to the committee members who volunteered
many hours of their time to tailor events and research projects specific to
the high rainfall zone.
Branch highlights throughout
the last 12 months include the establishment of a trial site near Dunkeld,
which will enable region specific issues to be addressed.
“This year will see a more
extensive research program at the existing trial site,” Graeme said.
“We are also hoping to
secure additional funding for our research project investigating the links
between stubble systems, soil health and nutrient leaching.”
Funded by the Australian
Government through the National Landcare Programme, Mr Moyle said the
project was progressing well and had attracted a lot of discussion amongst
SFS members and the wider farming community.
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