Agricultural Bureau of SA
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Seeds pioneer recognised for service to industry
Well-known grain and legume seed producer David Verner of Korunye, near Mallala, has been recognised by the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia with its 2007 Services to Primary Production Award.
Mr Verner, 80, who in 1974 founded the crop seed processing plant DR & JM Verner, the first in SA to be accredited by the former SA Department of Agriculture for receiving and processing bulk seed, was presented with his award at the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia annual State dinner last night (October 23).
Known as someone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of the farming community over the past 60 years, Mr Verner has played a major role in helping to develop and commercialise new seed varieties, including niche crops such as lentils and coriander.
Mallala Ag Bureau committee member Jim Franks, who nominated Mr Verner for the honour, said the seeds industry pioneer was a worthy recipient of the award.
“Hard work is second nature to David and he never shies away from a challenge. He has a keen mind and is always seeking to improve whatever task is at hand, whether it involves livestock, machinery or people,” Mr Franks said.
“He is a person who follows up ideas and tries to nut out answers to problems in the industry.”
Mr Verner, a life member of the Ag Bureau of SA and a former Mallala branch president, has had a long association with farming improvement groups, industry organisations and lobbying bodies, including Australian Seed Federation, South Australian Farmers’ Federation, Crop Science Society and Australian Field Crop Association.
In 1983 he helped form and chaired the Two Wells-based Pea & Grain Exporters Australia, which became the largest consigner of grain containers from South Australia. The business was sold to the former AusBulk Company (now merged with ABB Grain) in 1998 and still provides a valuable outlet for exporting legumes.
The Verner family business now produces or processes varieties for companies such as ABB Grain, AWB Seeds, Nuseed and organisations including, Australian Field Crop Association, South Australian Research and Development Corporation, University of Adelaide, Australian Grain Technologies and Seedmark. In 1992, it became the first seed business in Australia to qualify for Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) certification.
“Our aim has always been to introduce new varieties that would bring benefits to farmers. This has meant adopting strict quality standards and rejecting seed if it is not up to scratch,” Mr Verner said.
“I’ve also tried to be up front with customers so they don’t have any unrealistic expectations about the seed they are getting. The fact that our repeat customers over the decades amount to thousands suggests we must have been providing products and a service that farmers have been happy with.”
Agricultural Bureau of SA President Mark Dennis said Mr Verner’s name was synonymous with seed variety development and processing in South Australia and nationally.
“David has been a very successful farmer and businessmen over the years but he had always sought to put back just as much as he has got out of the industry. His pioneering efforts in promoting niche crops and new seed varieties have opened up cropping opportunities for many farmers across Australia,” Mr Dennis said.
Media contacts:
Agricultural Bureau of South Australia 2007 Services to Primary Production Award recipient David Verner, Ph: 8520 2181.
Agricultural Bureau of South Australia President Mark Dennis, Ph: 0428 844 250.
