Livestock SA and the South Australian Dairyfarmers’ Association will welcome new chief executive officer Andrew Curtis next month, with the advocacy groups sharing a CEO for the first time.
Mr Curtis’ comes with extensive industry experience, including 21 years with PIRSA in a range of development roles in the fibre, meat, agricultural workforce and landcare sectors. His present role is senior industry adviser, working to initiate and support agribusiness development in SA. He has also worked as a dairy extension officer and jackaroo.
Mr Curtis will replace inaugural Livestock SA CEO Deane Crabb, who helped guide its establishment, and SADA CEO Ken Lyons, who worked with dairyfarmers for the past 15 years. Mr Crabb will step into a policy officer role within Livestock SA while Mr Lyons takes on a leadership role with SA milk brand SADA Fresh.
Livestock SA president Geoff Power says the joint role recognises the common issues faced by producers in both industries and potential synergies.
“Biosecurity, trade, natural resource management and transport – these are just a few of the issues common to both industries which a joint CEO will be able to advocate for, working closely with Primary Producers SA,” he said. “We are looking forward to having Andrew’s extensive policy and industry development expertise onboard at Livestock SA and believe his industry knowledge and networks will be a benefit to SA producers.”
SADA president David Basham says the appointment highlights the great working relationship between SADA and Livestock SA.
“Andrew has great knowledge and history gathered during his career to bring to the two organisations to benefit us going forward,” Mr Basham said.
Mr Curtis says he is enthusiastic about the opportunity to work more closely with the livestock and dairy sectors – major contributors to the SA economy.
“Livestock SA and SADA have important roles in advocating on behalf of members and I look forward to being able to work with producers at a grassroots level through to an interstate and national level with our industry counterparts,” he said.
The groups acknowledged the contributions of Mr Crabb and Mr Lyons.
“Deane has been an outstanding contributor to the organisation as its inaugural CEO, helping to guide its establishment and using his extensive knowledge gained through time at SAFF and PIRSA,” Mr Power said.
“Ken has given great service to dairyfarmers in SA for 15 years and has left a long-lasting legacy with his work in establishing the SADA Fresh milk brand,” Mr Basham said.
