PRODUCERS with a diverse range of skills and experience from across SA have been elected to the Livestock SA board in the advocacy group's first elections.
Seven nominations were received for five vacancies on the 10-member board.
The successful candidates are Andrew Clarke, Allandale Station, Oodnadatta; Joe Keynes, Lorelmo Keyneton Station, Keyneton; Bill Nosworthy, Lake Hamilton Station, Sheringa; Steve Radeski, Adelaide; and Penny Schulz, Schulz Livestock, Field.
Their positions were announced at Livestock SA's annual general meeting held at Roseworthy on Friday last week.
They will join board members in the second of their two-year term - president Richard Halliday, Bordertown; Geoff Power, Orroroo; Alexander MacLachlan, Linden Park; Andy Withers, Naracoorte; and vice president Jack England, Keilira.
Mr Halliday was pleased with the voting turnout, with 25 per cent of nearly 1500 members completing the ballot paper.
He praised inaugural treasurer Jean Evans, Upper Sturt, for her service, particularly to Adelaide Hills farmers. Ms Evans has not been re-elected.
Mr Halliday also acknowledged the contribution of retiring board members Andrew Ogilvie, Biscuit Flat, who had been Cattle Council of Australia president for the past three years, and Mark Turnbull, Cleve.
The announcement of the new board was overshadowed by news that Mr Radeski had been in a serious accident over the weekend and in hospital.
"Livestock SA wishes Mr Radeski a speedy recovery and we look forward to his later involvement with the organisation after he is given the all-clear to be able to take-up the role," Mr Halliday said.
In the open forum, a couple of questions were raised about the long-term funding strategy for Livestock SA which received initial funding from the SA Sheep and Cattle Industry Funds.
The financial report showed a contribution of $173,000 from the SA Cattle Industry Fund and $300,000 from the SA Sheep Industry Fund for the 2013-14 financial year.
Mr Halliday said both advisory groups were supportive of Livestock SA and close to reaching a strategy to enable either a set proportion of the sheep and cattle levies collected to be automatically directed to Livestock SA, or funding under a long-term project.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 4, 2014 issue.
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
