AWI general manager, research Bridget Peachey. Image – AWI.

AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation has appointed its former sheep health and welfare program manager as its new general manager for research.

AWI chief executive John Roberts said Ms Peachey is the best person for this challenging role.

The appointment follows the departure of former AWI general manager research Jane Littlejohn at the end of last year.

Ms Peachey grew up on a dairy farm in New Zealand and moved to Australia in 2006.

Mr Roberts said she brings to the role extensive livestock research, development and extension leadership experience as a researcher and in research management, as well as in trade and technical policy and advocacy.

Ms Peachey started with AWI in December 2016 as program manager sheep health and welfare and, in that time, has managed a collaborative team of researchers and consultants responsible for identifying, designing, and delivering, innovative research solutions to complex and challenging wool industry issues.

She has a Master of Applied Science degree in Animal Science from Massey University (New Zealand) and is already working on key areas including the development and implementation of the flystrike extension program, currently being rolled out, and managing AWI’s contribution to the Sheep Sustainability Framework.

Before joining AWI, Ms Peachey’s roles included policy and projects manager (and acting CEO) at the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association and animal husbandry program manager at Dairy Australia.

Ms Peachey is originally from New Zealand where she held positions with Meat & Wool New Zealand (now Beef + Lamb NZ), AgResearch, Livestock Improvement Corporation, and HortResearch.

Ms. Peachey said becoming AWI’s general manager of research role is an exciting opportunity.

“Wool is an incredible natural fibre with sustainability and eco-credentials that many other fibres wish they would have.

“Australian wool growers have a long and proud history of investing in research, it is a privilege to be able to lead the work the AWI research team, along with our research partners, is doing to help wool growers boost their business sustainability and profitability through access to improved, innovative practices.

“The role will combine my agriculture and research background with strong and effective relationships with livestock industry stakeholders, both along the wool supply chain, and also more broadly across the livestock industries both in Australian and internationally,” she said.

“Collaboration is key to delivering timely and cost-effective outcomes for wool growers.

“I am looking forward to continuing this important work.”

Source – AWI.