National Policy Group

Ben is a rain-fed grain producer with his family at Condamine on the Western Darling Downs, Queensland growing wheat, chickpeas, sorghum, and cotton. They operate a mix of owned and leased land covering 4000ha. Ben is passionate about farming and the long-term sustainability of his family farming land and its profitability. Ben’s family have cooperated with the GRDC National Variety Trial program for many years in both the winter and summer crop areas and is a member of the Northern NVT Advisory Committee panel.

David helps run his family grain and cattle operation west of Goondiwindi. His family farm 1300 hectares of predominantly wheat, barley and chickpeas. Along with their grain production, David and his family maintain a Santa Gertrudis breeding herd and run spray and hay baling contracting businesses. Sustainability is something that is very important to him and as a producer, David would like to see more farmer-derived solutions turned into policy.

Growing up on the western side of the Liverpool Plains on a mixed farming operation, Rob has a lifetime of agricultural experience. After completing a B.App.Sci (Agronomy) at the University of Queensland in 2003, Rob had a near 20-year career as an agronomist on the Darling Downs of QLD and the Liverpool Plains of NSW dealing with all aspects of rainfed and irrigated grains and fibre production and specialising on the application of Integrated Pest Management practices. Since 2014, Rob has been operating his own farming business in the Boggabri NSW area, both leasing and share-farming country. Currently, Rob is managing 1400ha of rainfed and irrigated cropping area.

Damien is a farmer, spray contractor and agronomist in South Australia’s mid north and past Chair of Hart Field Site group. Damien is passionate about sustainable agriculture and believes a healthier farming system is more resilient & profitable in the long term.
Damien’s focus is on ensuring the grains industry has a robust R&D system to ensure farmers have access to unbiased research to ensure long term sustainability and profitability at the farm gate.

Judith and her husband farm 10500 ha 250kms East of Perth in the WA Wheatbelt. They are a mixed enterprise comprising cereals, legumes, canola, hay and prime lamb production. Judith has completed a Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) and has followed her passion for being a food producer for over 25 years. To experience and have the opportunity to become involved in the NPG is one that Judith sees as both exciting and an intellectual challenge. Judith would like to be able to make a positive contribution to her industry and see real results.

As a farmer and a community leader, Tracy holds several roles that makes her a valuable asset to the GrainGrowers NPG. Tracy is a Partner in a 4500ha grain growing enterprise (6300ha total), Cranmore Farming, Moora Shire President, a board member of Innovations Central Midlands Inc and Gardiner Street Arts Collective and completed Leadership WA’s Signature Leadership Program as Valedictorian (2019). These positions contribute and attest to Tracy’s ability to approach challenges strategically.

Dr Amity Dunstan has twenty plus years of working with agriculture-dependent communities in Victoria, NSW, and internationally in government, not-for-profit, and private sector roles. With her husband, Tom, they own and operate a stock-free, continuous cropping enterprise in the southern Wimmera. Amity is a social researcher, with expertise in farm safety and safety technologies. Amity has presented at three international conferences, has six years of experience of Ministerial board appointments, supervises PhD and Masters students, and has she has published articles in multiple journals.

Daniel and his partner run a 2600 ha mixed farm business, comprising of oilseeds, cereals, legumes and fat lamb production. Daniel previously served as President of the VFF Wimmera branch and is a GrainGrowers’ AGLP Alumnus. Daniel’s interests are transport and market access, chemical usage and research and development and grain quality vs grain quantity. Daniel believes that the adaptability of the national freight system to ensure efficiency and competitiveness, strong leadership through change, and market accessibility and reputation in overseas markets are essential for a sustainable, profitable and efficient grains industry.

Martin is Chairman of the Junee NSW Farmers branch, Vice-Captain and Secretary of Marinna Bushfire Brigade. Martin has been on Executive Council NSW Farmers since 2007 and has served on the Grains Committee.
Martin’s interests are infrastructure, storage and transport, brand and quality and getting the right varieties bred and grown without having a plethora of varieties every year. Martin believes that grains varietal characteristics and quality, engagement with growers, input into domestic and global markets, efficient and cost-effective storage and transport and handling of the grain are policy priorities.