Fostering domestic and international collaboration, and equipping members with tools to increase productivity and profitability are among the aims of incoming Herefords Australia Chairman Marc Greening.
Mr Greening was announced as the Chairman, replacing the outgoing Chair Ian Durkin, at the first board meeting held the day after the Herefords Australia Limited annual general meeting on May 15 in Wodonga.
Mr Greening is principal of the southern NSW based Injemira Beef Genetics, one of the nation’s leading Hereford seedstock and commercial operations and has served on the Herefords Australia board as a director and deputy chairman for four years.
In addressing members at the Herefords Australia National Show, he paid tribute to Ian Durkin for stabilising the organisation, having a united team, focusing on financial fundamentals and placing the breed in the commercial world.
“I have communicated with Ian regularly and it is a great partnership that I have really enjoyed over the last four years. Our board is focusing behind the scenes on developing the professional manner of the organisation, and much has been achieved by our chief executive officers Lisa Sharp and Michael Crowley.,” Mr Greening said.
“In the last 15 months Michael identified the commercial industry and processing sector we need to engage with and build our understanding of what our customers want. It was certainly a great privilege to work with Michael on the strategy.
“The role of this Board is to set a precedent and template for the members to grow and succeed in their aims. We encourage members to get on the front foot and help promote the breed by equipping them with the right tools.”
Mr Greening said Herefords Australia was positioning itself long term to assist members, pointing to the Breed Forum held at Wodonga on May 14 as an educational tool for commercial producers to hear about the latest innovations in genetics, genomics, ag tech, carbon sequestration and the supply chain.
He said Herefords Australia was collaborating with domestic commercial partners and internationally with the American Hereford Association.
Herefords Australia hosted the American Hereford Association executive vice president Jack Ward and chief operating officer Shane Bedwell at Beef Australia 2024 and at the 2024 National Show and Sale.
“The AHA aligns with what we are achieving in Australia in terms of sustainability, the ability to prove that Herefords are a maternal source and position Herefords as the number one choice for crossbreeding with Bos indicus cattle,” Mr Greening said.
“We can collaborate on a range of things in the future from performance recording and data sharing for projects, evaluating their marketing and messaging strategies, right down to their youth programs and potentially getting Australian youth involved in those American programs.
“Jack and Shane have spent two weeks of their time in Australia, and they have been well received from Rockhampton all the way down to Wodonga. I can only see that relationship growing stronger for the benefit of Herefords Australia.”
Mr Greening thanked outgoing chief executive officer Michael Crowley for his service to Herefords Australia over the past three years as a board and staff member.
“At Herefords Australia we are attracting high profile, capable CEOs and Michael was an example of that. Thank you for your service, it was greatly appreciated, and we wish you the best of luck in your new role at Meat and Livestock Australia.”
NSW Hereford breeder Marc Greening has been elected as the new Chairman of the Herefords Australia Limited Board.
