Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia president Peter Herrmann, from NSW, and Victoria-based Australian Dairy Farmers president Ben Bennett took up their positions with the NFF on Monday.
They replace outgoing directors Lisa Minogue, a mixed farmer from NSW, and David Connolly from the Northern Territory.
Their appointments follow the announcement last Friday of Hamish McIntyre as the new NFF president.
Rounding out the board is vice president John Hassell, and directors Georgie Somerset and Mark Horan.
The RGA said it has had a long history of its members taking up into leadership roles at the NFF and other peak bodies.
Recent history has included names such as Graham Blight, Laurie Arthur, Les Gordon, Jeremy Morton, and Rachel Kelly.
Mr McIntyre will officially take over from outgoing president David Jochinke today.
He has served under Mr Jochinke as a director since October 2023, and his broad involvement in agriculture includes serving as Cotton Australia chair and as a director on the Australian Wagyu Association and Agsafe Boards.
Mr McIntyre paid tribute to his predecessor, who has served the maximum 12-year term on the NFF board, the past two as president following six years as vice president.
Mr Jochinke was the first Victorian Farmers’ Federation organisation president to also serve as NFF president.
“I look forward to working with our members to advance Australian agriculture,“ Mr McIntyre said.
“My priority will be making sure farmers are front and centre in policy discussions in Canberra.
“DJ leaves a legacy of strong farm advocacy. He stood up for what was right and had access to leaders and decision makers at the highest level.
“Under his leadership, the NFF has delivered significant wins for farmers, including scrapping two taxes – the Biosecurity Protection Levy and the Super Tax.
“But at the heart of what DJ strived to achieve was putting people first.
“Under his leadership, farmer mental health, wellbeing and safety became key priorities for the NFF.
“This focus led to the creation of a national mental health coalition supported by more than 50 organisations across agriculture, health and rural sectors.”
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