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New board and new energy for peak fodder body

Sep 16, 2025

Agrilink Agricultural Consultants owner Mick Faulkner and AgriFutures Export Fodder Advisory Panel’s Andrew Walter. Photo by Marcus Graham

A renewed focus on grassroots member involvement and supporter engagement has reinvigorated the Australian Fodder Industry Association at a time when demands on meeting the nation’s hay and silage needs have never been more challenging.

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The organisation’s 26th Annual National Fodder Conference was held on the Gold Coast, delivering a fodder-focused event for the nation’s hay and silage producers.

It was attended by 180 delegates and sponsors from business leaders, researchers, producers, contractors, machinery and equipment dealers and end-users.

“Producing fodder to feed the nation’s livestock has been very difficult this year with devastating weather conditions impacting production and the ability to meet the needs of customers, many long-term and loyal, across the country,” AFIA industry marketing and engagement manager Vanessa Curtis said.

AFIA director Louis Kelly. Photo by Marcus Graham

“This event represented a fantastic opportunity for our members, and those in the R&D pipeline and the broader supply chain, to stay up to date with the latest hay and silage news, developments and technologies and to check in with each other to refresh before getting stuck into another season.

During the conference, a new board was elected at the annual general meeting, with a record 11 nominations received for the board director roles.

There are plenty of new faces, with Rob Anspach (Western Australia), Darryl Boyd (NSW), Harry Divall (NSW), Mark Green (NSW), Mark Harrison (Queensland) and Gavin Schuster (South Australia) joining former chair Louis Kelly (NSW) on the board for the upcoming year.

“New leadership, strong sponsor support to shape mutual partnerships and member involvement to deliver a range of local and more personalised events across the country have increased the association’s energy and focus,” AFIA chairman Gavin Schuster said.

AFIA treasurer with Aussie Rice Straw’s Ashley Dempster from the Goulburn Valley. Photo by Marcus Graham

“Following a shakeup of the organisation’s priorities at the end of 2024, the AFIA board formally welcomed Vanessa Curtis to the organisation, and she has brought considerable experience and energy to the role.

“The recent formation of a member subcommittee has also tapped into the enormous wealth of knowledge and experience the organisation has across its membership, with the group working closely with the board and staff to help drive new ideas and opportunities for the organisation.”

As a result, AFIA launched a series of ‘Hay Meetups’ — smaller, targeted regional gatherings, co-organised with locally based AFIA members to include businesses, speakers and machinery dealers relevant to the local farming community.

“I’m excited for what we have planned, and we look forward to further announcements and partnerships which will see AFIA’s network continue to grow,” Gavin said.