Question 1

SARDI

Accepted Answer

Prof Mike SteerSARDI Executive DirectorPh: 8429 3513michael.steer@sa.gov.auProfessor Mike Steer is an experienced research leader with more than two decades of expertise in applied science and industry-focused research. Based at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Mike has an extensive background in marine and fisheries science, with expertise spanning fish biology, fisheries management, cephalopod ecology, molecular science, fishery reform, gear selectivity and fleet dynamics.Mike holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Tasmania and Bachelor of Science and Honours qualifications from James Cook University and Flinders University. Throughout his career, he has led and contributed to applied research that supports sustainable industries and helps translate scientific knowledge into practical outcomes for industry and communities.In his leadership role at SARDI, Mike is focused on building strong relationships between researchers, industry and other stakeholders to ensure research remains relevant, practical and responsive to emerging challenges. His interests extend across fisheries, aquaculture and livestock industries, including the impacts of a changing environment on production, innovative approaches to stock assessment, reducing methane emissions from ruminants, and circular economy and value-adding opportunities within the seafood and livestock sectors.Mike also contributes his expertise to a number of state and national groups, including the National Marine Science Committee, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation’s South Australian Research Advisory Committee, and the South Australian Beef and Sheep Industry Blueprint Working Group.As an Ex-officio member of the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia Board, Mike provides an important link between Ag Bureau members and SARDI’s research expertise and networks. He encourages members and branches to share the challenges, opportunities and research priorities they are seeing on the ground, helping strengthen the connection between industry and research and ensuring agricultural research continues to deliver practical and meaningful outcomes for South Australian producers.

Question 2

DEW

Accepted Answer

Tim Herrmann
Team Leader, Sustainable Soils, Department for Environment and Water 
8207 7734
0407 953 274
tim.herrmann@sa.gov.au

Tim has worked in soil, land management, Landcare and natural resources management for more than 35 years. He currently leads the Sustainable Soils team in the Department for Environment and Water (DEW). The team is responsible for leading and developing strategies and projects that improve the health and sustainable management of soils in both the agricultural and broader landscape.

Key programs include soil protection, managing soil acidity, soil carbon and landscape productivity. The programs are delivered through partnerships with the agricultural industry, Landscape SA regions, grower groups, research Institutions, and other agencies.

Tim has represented DEW as an Ex-officio member of the Agricultural Bureau Board since 2014. He says DEW values the partnership with the Agricultural Bureau of SA and their shared common goal to improve the sustainability of our natural resources and farming systems.

Question 3

PIRSA

Accepted Answer

Brian Hughes
Senior Soil and Land Management Consultant
8568 6411
0429 691 468
brian.hughes@sa.gov.au

Brian is a Soil and Land Management Consultant who works out of PIRSA’s  Nuriootpa Research Centre on a range of soil and sustainable agriculture-related projects. He is part of a sustainable agriculture team in PIRSA  with regional staff across South Australia. An Ag Bureau ex-officio member, Brian connects with PIRSA staff where relevant issues are raised. He also coordinates and supports a range of partnership projects developed with the Ag Bureau and its branches to improve the production or sustainability of farming enterprises.

Run by farmers for farmers, Brian believes the Ag Bureau is an excellent way for farmers to improve their knowledge and skills with credible and local groups focusing on agricultural issues and farm improvement.

Question 4

Rural Business Support

Accepted Answer

Brett Smith
Chief Executive Officer
0412 630 015
b.smith@ruralbusinesssupport.org.au

Brett Smith is the CE of Rural Business Support. Brett Smith’s extensive agribusiness experience nationally has helped Rural Business Support (RBS) to diversify its brand through the development and delivery of new programs and services to build a strong and resilient agricultural sector.

Helping small rural and regional businesses be better equipped to withstand natural disasters, Brett has positioned RBS as a key player in supporting those farming families needing extra assistance through the effective delivery of the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) in SA and NT.

With a passion for agriculture, Brett is an accomplished agribusiness executive with solid marketing and business development credentials, having held key roles with Orica Ltd, Cropcare, Incitec Pivot Ltd, Elders Ltd, and Penrice Ltd. Brett spent 15+ years working ‘on farm’ with primary producers across most sectors, providing technical and agronomic information to improve productivity and profitability.

Brett has a proven history of leading strategic business development, implementation and delivery through aligning internal teams and collaborative stakeholder engagement. Brett’s strong leadership qualities, business acumen, energetic and ethical approach and proven communication style have enabled outstanding service delivery results.

Question 5

Adelaide University (shared role)

Accepted Answer

Dr Ashlea Doolette
School of Agriculture, Food & Wine
8313 8107
ashlea.doolette@adelaide.edu.au

Ashlea is a lecturer and researcher in soil science at the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.

Her research interests are in soil and plant nutrition and how nutrients are stored, transformed and cycled in soils and returned to the plant.

Ashlea is currently working in various systems, e.g. broad acre crops, pastures and vineyards and has spent each year teaching 250 Agriculture and Viticulture students her expertise in soil science.

As an ex-officio member of the Board since 2016, Ashlea is a link between Ag Bureau members and not only the diverse range of agricultural researchers at Adelaide University but also the students who will play an important role in the future of Ag.

Question 6

Adelaide University (shared role)

Accepted Answer

Dr Jenna Malone
School of Agriculture, Food & Wine
8313 7303
0439 904 397
jenna.malone@adelaide.edu.au

Jenna is a researcher with the Weed Science Research Group within the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine. The group conducts research in integrated weed management, herbicide resistance, weed ecology and crop-weed interactions in Australian broad-acre farming systems. Jenna’s research focuses on the evolution and biochemical mechanisms of herbicide resistance in weeds and managing these herbicide-resistant weeds in agricultural systems.

The Weed’s Group has a strong relationship with the GRDC, through which they received much of their funding. They also work closely with farming systems groups in the southern and western regions, enabling the rapid transfer of project outputs to growers and advisers.

Meet the Board of the Agricultural Bureau
of South Australia

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Bevan Oster

Jody Martin

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EX-OFFICIO

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Meet the Board of the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia

2026 AG BUREAU NOMINATIONS

MEET OUR BOARD

Bevan Oster

Jody Martin

David Makin

Alyx Selsmeyer

Alice Morley

Lachlan Haynes

EX-OFFICIO

SARDI

DEW

PIRSA

Rural Business Support

Adelaide University (shared role)

Adelaide University (shared role)

The Agricultural Bureau of South Australia, sharing our experience.

Meet the Board of the Agricultural Bureau
of South Australia