James Mann appointed Chair of Dairy Australia

Board Director James Mann has been appointed Chair of Dairy Australia following the decision of Jeff Odgers to step down early from the role.

Mann has been involved in the Australian dairy industry for over 30 years and was appointed to the Board of Dairy Australia in November 2015. He is a dairy farmer in South Australia and previously served as Chair of the DairySA Regional Development Program from 2002 to 2015.

Odgers will remain a Board Director of Dairy Australia and continue to represent it alongside Mann in the Organisational Reform Steering Committee — established as part of the Australian Dairy Plan to develop a new structure for dairy industry representation.

Mann commented: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be Chair at a very important time for the industry and excited to drive forward the strategy we’ve developed that is focused on the profit and sustainability of dairy farmers and the dairy industry.

“Jeff has made a significant contribution as Chair of Dairy Australia and, on behalf of all dairy farmers and the wider industry, I’d like to thank him for his extraordinary commitment of time and energy.”

Odgers thanked the dairy community for their support during his time as Chair: “I would particularly like to acknowledge the many people from across the whole industry who have reached out to the family in recent months, it is greatly appreciated.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/magdal3na