Mr Odgers has had a 15-year association with Dairy Australia, which started with him serving as a director of Murray Dairy for six years (four as chair) before he joined the Dairy Australia Board in 2013.
He was elected Dairy Australia chair in 2017 and re-elected to the position in 2019, before he stood down early from the role in 2020 due to a family tragedy.
His 23-year-old son, Jonathon, died in an accident on the family's Mooroopna dairy farm in March 2020.
Mr Odgers will retire as a director at the board’s upcoming April meeting.
Dairy Australia chair James Mann paid tribute to Mr Odgers’ contribution to the industry.
“Jeff has devoted himself to the Australian dairy industry and his record of achievement is substantial,” Mr Mann said.
“His focus on building Dairy Australia’s regional capabilities and driving our research and development agenda in herd and forage innovation see us well positioned for the future.
“As a key partner of the Australian Dairy Plan, he helped to pull our industry together after one of the most turbulent periods in its history.
“Jeff will be missed by people across our organisation and the wider industry.
“We wish him and wife Robyn every success as they pursue new directions.”
Gippsland dairy farmer and former Dairy Australia director Graeme Nicoll has been temporarily appointed to fill Mr Odgers’ milk producer vacancy, after unanimous endorsement from the Dairy Australia board selection committee.
Mr Nicoll will serve in this position until the 2021 Annual General Meeting in November and will not stand for election once his interim term is finished.
Nominations for this board position, as well as other vacancies from retiring directors, will open at the end of May for voting and announcement in line with the 2021 annual meeting.
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