By STEVE GRAY
WARWICK grazier Brent Finlay now heads Australia’s peak farm body, the National Farmers’ Federation.
Mr Finlay, whose family runs sheep and beef at ’Cooinda’ near Warwick, takes on the NFF presidency.
He is a former president of Queensland’s peak broadacre farm body, AgForce and has been a grain grower, irrigator and has worked in the family feedlot supply business.
Following his election at the NFF annual meeting, Mr Finlay said he would concentrate on developing strong policies for the organisation, particularly in relation to market access and profitability.
“A lot of farmers are under pressure so we have to focus on profitability,” Mr Finlay told ABC radio. “That should be our key push.”
Springsure beef producer Christine Rolfe was elected as the NFF vice-president and treasurer, the first woman to assume that role.
Queensland Agriculture Minister John McVeigh congratulated Mr Finlay and Ms Rolfe on their elevation to the top jobs at the NFF.
Mr McVeigh said the NFF was in good hands.
“Strong leadership is vital to the success of our farm industries,” Mr McVeigh said.
AgForce CEO Charles Burke said he looked forward to strong leadership from the board at a time when agricultural advocacy was of critical importance to the future viability and success of the industry.
“There is no doubt these are challenging times for the rural sector and certainly advocacy is crucial to ensuring our farmers and graziers are well represented at both a state and federal level,” Mr Burke said.
“We congratulate those who have been named on the board, including new President, Brent Finlay, and look forward to working hard to advocate for policies and operating conditions which are conducive to agriculture capitalising on the many opportunities which exist for our industry.”
