THERE are more changes at the top of the state’s peak farming body with a new president elected just a month after its chief executive officer resigned.
At the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association annual general meeting in Launceston earlier this week Pipers Brook farmer Ian Sauer was elected as president while Andrew Beven from the Coal River Valley is the organisation’s new vice president.
The TFGA is still looking for a new CEO after the sudden departure of John McKew.
Outgoing president Marcus McShane has been acting as the CEO and will continue to do so until the position is advertised and a replacement found.
Mr Sauer said his focus would be on key issues affecting Tasmanian farmers including rural workforce shortages and rising input costs.
“We are committed to improving our advocacy for our members and enhancing rural partnerships,” Mr Sauer said.
He said engaging with the next generation of Tasmanian farmers, particularly in the dairy sector, was also a high priority for the TFGA.
“These men and women are our future and as an organisation we will be working as a team to better engage with younger farmers across the state,” he said.
Mr Sauer said the TFGA would continue to lobby Federal representatives strongly in the interests of Tasmanian farmers in the lead up to the Federal election.
“At the same time we will be continuing our work on state based issues with the Liberal Government,” he said.
“We also will continue to work closely with local government and regional interest groups on issues affecting farmers.”