About AFIA
What we do
Since AFIA was established in 1996 our network of members, sponsors, supporters and engaged participants has worked to help the fodder industry grow. Our organisation strives to share information, address market and trade issues, promote research and development and engage with all fodder end users to understand issues, needs and ultimately provide a positive business operating environment. We are a central hub connecting the supply chain across agriculture sectors, industry and governments.
The fodder industry is one of the most important industries in Australian agriculture, underpinning production in dairy, livestock, horticulture and other intensive industries.
In addition to a domestic focus, the Australian industry is now a significant contributor to Australian exports, with fodder products exported to China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and the Middle East.
The Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) is the independent, peak national body for the Australia’s fodder industry.
Since its establishment, AFIA has supported the growth of the sector through:
- the generation and analysis of industry data;
- hosting events to support connections, learning, engagement and information sharing;
- engagement in research and development (R&D) priorities; and
- industry advocacy to ensure a positive operating environment both locally and globally.
AFIA Board of Directors
Louis Kelly
CHAIR
Louis has farmed at Jerilderie for four decades. He has been involved with AFIA since its inception, and is a past Fodder Care Committee member.
His farming endeavours include: growing summer and winter crops along with livestock production.
Specialises in hay growing and contracting.
Phil Snowden
SECRETARY
Phil along with his wife Lynda & son Tim have been farming near Tocumwal since 1990. They operate a mixed irrigated farm specialising in lucerne hay production. They invented Hay Caps in 2006 and manufacture them on farm.
Phil is a foundation member Australian Fodder Industry Association & a sponsor with his Hay Cap business. Phil is proud of the benefits Hay Caps have given to the industry. He is currently a director of Murray Irrigation and the National Irrigators Council. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Peter Cullen Trust Science to Policy Leadership Program.
Phil is passionate about farming in their region. With the next generation now involved in the farm business Phil wants to focus on having it viable and sustainable for future generations.
Frank McRae
TREASURER
Frank has 40 years experience with dryland cropping, lamb and beef production. He has spent 29 years with NSW DPI as an Extension Agronomist and Technical Specialist Cereals. In August 2010 Frank joined Auswest Seeds as a Product Development Manager for pasture and forage crops.
Frank has a Bachelor of Rural Science (Hons) – University of New England and a Graduate Certificate in Marketing – Charles Sturt University. Frank is a Director of the Bathurst and Orange Harness Racing Clubs and is Treasurer of Grasslands Society of NSW.
Jason Palmer
Vice Chair
Jason runs Palmer Agricon in partnership with his parents which mainly consists of an irrigated farming business that produces irrigated lucerne hay and cereal crops, a silage contracting business and most recently, a beef feedlot.
Jason has been working full time in the fodder industry since 2003. He is especially interested in current affairs within the agricultural industry as well as the future of farming.
Brad Griffiths
DIRECTOR
Brad is a passionate young farmer from Mallala, South Australia. Brad manages the family farm focusing mainly on cropping and hay and lives on farm with his wife and three children. Brad’s passion is for the hay and fodder industry. He has worked for some big contractors in the Mallala area and is now focusing on building his family business, which caters for both the export and domestic market with oaten hay being the main commodity grown. Brad has travelled to America and Israel to learn about baling hay in high moisture climates and to work as a consultant for a hay inoculant company. He joined AFIA as a Board Director in July 2018.
Alex Peacock
DIRECTOR
Alex has been involved in the agricultural industry for over 35 years, having started his career share farming with his wife Sandra, and then moving into transport and hay contracting.
Alex and Sandra started their own transport company which is now Australia-wide, transporting hay, grain, agricultural machinery and defence equipment across the country. When it comes to contracting, Alex produces hay for both the domestic and export markets, as well as growing hay, grains and legumes on his own farm.
AFIA Staff
Paula Fitzgerald
Chief Executive Officer
Ms Fitzgerald has a long history in the agriculture sector, starting with the CSIRO, working across many commodity sectors, with State and Federal Governments and has previously run a national organisation. A director of not-for-profit industry organisation Skills Impact and Animal Health Australia, Paula is also a member of the Federal Government’s Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee. Ms Fitzgerald has experience in stakeholder and government relations, policy development and advocacy, communication, regulatory affairs, issues management, membership engagement and capacity building.
Neil White
AFIA Accounts
Neil is the owner/operator of Science Management Services Pty Ltd (t/a Synova) a company providing operational and company secretarial support to various start-up companies, agricultural and science-based R&D entities and lobby groups. He has past technical and management work experience with CSIRO, The Australian National University, several biotech start-ups and a Landmark rural franchise.
Jayne Gleed
Member Administration & Event Management
Jayne has over 25 years of experience in executive level administration, event organisation, membership systems management and customer service. Her skills have enabled her to work across a range of industries, from legal to education, information technology and advocacy.
Jayne spent a decade at the Victorian Farmers’ Federation in the grains and livestock commodity groups, and as the Executive Officer for the intensive industries which gave her a clear understanding of the needs of farming communities and the joys and challenges of a member-based organisation.
Larissa Mullot
Media Officer
Larissa provides communication support for AFIA’s activities including both traditional and social media.
Larissa brings extensive experience as a communication professional working across agricultural, science and environmental contexts, including international science and agriculture.
AFIA Strategic Plan 2022 – 2025
For more information please contact AFIA: info@afia.org.au
Constitution
AFIA is a not for profit company limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001.
The History of AFIA
In 2013/14 a dedicated group of founding AFIA members got together and compiled “The History of AFIA”.