Genetics Australia co-operative’s new Chair Tim Humphris sees exciting opportunities ahead to improve reproductive technology for Australian farmers – both dairy and beef.
The Nirranda South dairy farmer has replaced John Pekin as chair of Genetics Australia.
Tim paid tribute to his predecessor, saying John had overseen a transformation of the Co-operative over his 11 years on the board, including the past three as chair.
The highlights included the sale of Parwan Park, acquisition of Total Livestock Genetics including the Camperdown and Glenormiston property, the purchase of an additional property at Camperdown and the formation of the joint venture company Genetics Australia Holdings (GAH) with The URUS Group.
“John did a fantastic job overseeing and being instrumental in these developments,” Tim said
“He oversaw a huge amount of change and development during his time so it is quite daunting stepping into his shoes.”
John Pekin is no longer actively farming and has been replaced on the board by independent director Michael Lyons, a Nuffield Scholar and beef producer based at Wambiana station near Charters Towers, marking the first appointment to the board from northern Australia.
Tim says this represents an exciting opportunity for the future.
“Our origins have been in the dairy industry and over the years we have expanded into the southern beef industry.
“However, we realise there is great potential in the northern beef industry, particularly with the development of seedstock for providing bulls into the northern industry,” he said.
Current farmer director from Rennylea Angus, Lucinda Corrigan, was instrumental in encouraging a presence in the northern beef industry for Genetics Australia.
“As a board we had been searching for an independent director that had key knowledge and understanding of reproduction and genetic development in the northern beef industry,” Tim said.
“Through her connections we were introduced to Michael and his knowledge will give the rest of us better understanding of the potential for growth.”
The co-operative retains ownership of all Genetics Australia land and is responsible for capital expenditure on those properties and to consider further acquisitions to drive reproductive improvement in the dairy and beef industries.
“The most recent development was when joint venture partner URUS purchased Trans Ova and we provided funding to ensure that investment is under the GAH umbrella,” Tim said.
“We see that as investing in current and future reproductive technology for our farmers.”
Tim says there are ongoing opportunities for the co-operative.
“The role of the co-operative is to assist and enhance the activities of Genetics Australia Holdings and we continue to look for opportunities to invest for Australian farmers,” he said.
Tim and his wife Marie milk 600 cows with a three-way cross breeding system.
He previously worked as a dairy vet in northern Victoria for 15 years before fulfilling a long-held dream of going dairy farming.
He farmed at Tongala in for 11 years before moving to Nirranda South in 2019.
Tim is encouraging both dairy and beef farmers to become shareholders to enjoy the benefits of membership.
Member benefits come directly from GAH to shareholders in the form of significant discounts and member specials on leading bulls.
“We want to expand the benefits to members as time progresses,” Tim said.
“As the joint venture business continues to grow and generate profits, a greater share of the profits will come back to the co-operative. We are very keen on investing back into further expansion or in member benefits or dividends.
“Our primary mission is to ensure we have production of Australian semen, development of Australian bulls and access to Australian bulls for the dairy and beef industries.
“At the moment, the main dividend is in semen discounts but as our business develops further, we will constantly look for ways of returning more benefits to members.”
There are about 900 active shareholders with a shareholding costing $100.