Orroroo sheep and wool producer Geoff Power was recognised at the 2018 Australian Biosecurity Awards in Canberra last week for his long-time commitment to biosecurity.
Mr Power has been a key figure in helping the SA livestock industry acknowledge the importance of biosecurity and the risk it poses to production.
In the past 20 years he has advocated for livestock producers in his roles as SA rep and national president with WoolProducers Australia and former president of Livestock SA.
He has also worked hard to tackle ovine brucellosis, November Disease and was a strong advocate for the Livestock Biosecurity Network.
He said he was humbled by the award and was privileged to work with so many dedicated people who should share in the accolade.
“ We are an exporting nation and if we have a disease outbreak our exports could be shut down overnight,” Mr Power said.
He used the example of South African wool exports which had ceased to China for many months following an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever .
“The wool clip is not affected by the disease but the perception was enough to damage the industry,” he said.
Mr Power has also been a major driving force behind the development of the new One Biosecurity program in SA and served for two years as chairman of the joint industry -PIRSA working group.
He hopes both Livestock SA and Biosecurity SA will promote the voluntary program and its benefits more to the state’s livestock producers.