New SALRC SA Regional Committee chair Elke Hocking.

PRIME lamb and beef producer Elke Hocking has been appointed regional chair of the Southern Australia Livestock Research Council’s South Australian Regional Committee.

The Lucindale producer and private livestock consultant has more than 20 years’ experience in the livestock industry.

Ms Hocking’s appointment is among new SALRC regional chair, sheep meat and grass-fed beef producer member appointments announced today.

Elke currently works as a private livestock consultant on extension and adoption programs for red meat and wool producers. She is the public officer for the SA Livestock Consultants group, chair of the SA Sheep and Beef Industry Blueprint working group and sits on MLA’s Producer Adoption Reference Group and the SA Sheep Industry Fund board.

Glenburn beef producer Meridie Jackson has been appointed regional chair of SALRC’s Central Victorian Regional Committee. Meridie’s farming operation supplies beef carcasses directly to local premium butchers under the premium grass-fed beef brand, Smith and Jackson. SALRC said Ms Jackson is a passionate advocate for the positive contribution the red meat industry makes to the Australian economy, the health of people who enjoy it and the environment.

SALRC chairman Ian Rogan

SALRC chair Ian Rogan also welcomed a number of new sheep meat and grass-fed beef producer members to the regional committees:

 Stephen Gray, northern NSW

 Jessica Murray, central and western NSW including QLD sheep meat

 James Sewell, central Victoria

 Reanna Goodyer, central Victoria

 Matt Scharkie, South Australia

 Sandy Nott, South Australia

 Jonathan Wright, southern NSW

Mr Rogan said the appointments follow a strong commitment to building industry and organisational capability and once again followed an extensive selection and appointment process.

“Our lamb and beef producer members of our seven regional committees across four states, bring crucial on-ground experience to the processes we use to develop priorities for research and development that can bring value to our industries,” he said.

SALRC is an independent, incorporated association and one of three national research Councils setup to provide recommendations on research, development and adoption priorities, and planning for grass-fed beef and sheep meat producers throughout Australia.

The terms of all positions commenced following the SALRC AGM on 5 September 2023. More information about recruitment can be found on the SALRC website (https://salrc.com.au).