MEMBERS of the NSW Farmers Association have elected a new president of the organisation during the group’s annual conference held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney last week.
Immediate vice-president Rebecca Reardon moved into the top job, succeeding former head Xavier Martin.
Ms Reardon, who’s worked in leadership positions for a range of agricultural businesses for more than 20 years, lives in Moree with her husband and three children.
She said moving into the president’s role was, in part, about placing rural and agricultural issues on state and national agendas.
“If farmers and rural communities don’t have a voice, they’ll be dealt a poorer hand,” she said.
“My inspiration for stepping into this role is to get agriculture in NSW and NSW Farmers Association in a stronger place for the next generation.”
The new NSW Farmers Association vice-president is Brocklesby livestock and grain grower Justin Everitt.
Along with his wife, Mr Everitt grows wheat, canola, barley and lupins, while also raising lambs and cattle.
He’s also served as head of the NSW Farmers Grains Committee since 2021.
The state’s peak farming lobby group met for two days last week, and apart from electing new leaders, a range of other issues were on the agenda.
Things like food securing, access to fuel and fertilisers were key topics.
With prices of both commodities, especially urea, surging due to instability in the Middle East, former organisation president Mr Martin said the conflict was having a major impact on food and fibre producers.
“Australian agriculture almost completely relies on imported fuel and fertiliser, leaving producers exposed to global supply disruptions and price volatility,” he said.
“These pressures flow directly to farm input costs, freight, and overall profitability, compounded by Australia’s limited domestic refining capacity and reliance on imported fertiliser.
“We need strategic investment to build greater domestic capacity to make a stronger farming future.
“Strengthening domestic fuel and fertiliser production would improve supply security, reduce exposure to global shocks, and support more stable and affordable food supply.”