SALRC Awards presentation at Wagga Wagga NSW, 10 October 2023 – Picture L-R – Mike Stephens (SALRC Executive Officer), Ian Rogan (SALRC Chair), Sarah Baker (Young Achiever Award recipient), Deborah Scammell (Communications/Extension Award recipient), Assoc Prof Matthew Harrison (Scientist/Researcher Award recipient), David (Seth) Cooper (Producer Award recipient)

THE Southern Australia Livestock Research Council has this week announced the 2023 winners of its annual awards, while making a series of new appointments to its regional committees.

SALRC is an independent, incorporated association and one of three national research Councils setup to provide recommendations on Research, Development & Adoption priorities and planning for grass-fed beef and sheepmeat producers throughout Australia.

The awards were developed to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in the contributions of individuals to research, development, extension, communication and practical application of innovation on farm, to improve the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the Southern Australian red meat and livestock industries.

SALRC 2023 Award recipients are:

• Producer – David (Seth) Cooper (Sheep producer, Jamestown, SA)
• Scientist / Researcher – Associate Professor Matthew Harrison (Systems Modelling Team Leader, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Launceston Tasmania)
• Communication / Extension – Deborah Scammell (Consultant, Talking Livestock, Sevenhill, South Australia)
• Young Achiever – Sarah Baker (Development Officer, Pasture Systems, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Tamworth)

In announcing the award recipients, SALRC Chair Ian Rogan said “we had a strong response when the call for nominations were announced back in May this year. The awards have been established by SALRC to enable recognition of excellence in innovation amongst livestock producers and those providing research and advisory services for livestock producers across NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.”

New appointees to regional committees

SALRC has also announced a number of new members to its regional committees, including new regional chairs for its Central Victorian and South Australian committees.

Meridie Jackson, a commercial beef producer from Glenburn, has been appointed Regional Chair of the Central Victorian Regional Committee. Meridie’s farming operation supplies beef carcasses directly to local premium butchers under the premium grass-fed beef brand, Smith and Jackson. Meridie is a passionate advocate for the positive contribution the red meat industry makes to the Australian economy, the health of people who enjoy it and the environment.

Elke Hocking, a prime lamb and beef cattle producer based in Lucindale in south-east SA, has been appointed the Regional Chair of the South Australian Regional Committee. With over 20 years’ experience within the livestock industry, Elke currently works as a private livestock consultant, involved in extension and adoption programs for red meat and wool producers. She is the public officer for the SA Livestock Consultants group, Chair of the SA Sheep and Beef Industry Blueprint working group and sits on MLA’s Producer Adoption Reference Group and the SA Sheep Industry Fund board.

In addition to the two newly appointed regional Chairs, SALRC Chair Ian Rogan also welcomes a number of new sheepmeat and grass-fed beef producer members to the Regional Committees:

• Stephen Gray, Northern NSW
• Jessica Murray, Central and Western NSW including QLD Sheepmeat
• James Sewell, Central Victoria
• Reanna Goodyer, Central Victoria
• Matt Scharkie, South Australia
• Sandy Nott, South Australia
• Jonathan Wright, Southern NSW

Mr Rogan said “these appointments follow a strong commitment to building industry and organisational capability and once again followed an extensive selection and appointment process.”

“Our lamb and beef producer members of our seven regional committees across four states, bring crucial on-ground experience to the processes we use to develop priorities for research and development that can bring value to our industries.”

Source: SALRC