Pasture Seeds

Pasture Seeds Advisory Panel

Lisa Anderson (Chair)

Riverina seed grower

Lisa is a Riverina seed grower and prime lamb producer based near Wagga Wagga NSW. Lisa’s career has spanned governance, strategic planning and financial management. She is the Chair of FarmLink Research, a farming systems group, conducting broadacre research and extension projects. SALRC (Southern Australian Livestock Research Council) provides recommendations on R&D initiatives and investments in the Australian red meat industry for south-eastern Australia. Lisa is the Chair of SNSW. With extensive industry experience and networks, Lisa is interested in increasing collaboration between funding bodies to leverage adoption of RD&E outcomes. Lisa has a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Meredith Mitchell

Researcher, Agriculture Victoria

Meredith Mitchel is a pasture agronomist and research scientist with experience across various pasture systems. For the last 30 years, Meredith has worked with Agriculture Victoria, based at Rutherglen in northeast Victoria. During her career, she has worked across a diverse range of pasture systems, with a large focus on native grasses, including the selection of cultivars and the management of existing native pastures. The breadth of pasture related projects she has supported spans from native grasses species selection to management strategies for lucerne pastures. research, development, and the translation of research to industry. Meredith is bringing to the Pasture Seeds Advisory Panel her passion for research, development, and the translation of research into industry.

James Sewell

Grower, Kia-Ora Pastoral

James is a full-time farm manager on his property Kia-Ora Pastoral at Smeaton, Central-West Victoria, his enterprise produces breeder cattle and prime lamb; potatoes – seed and commercial; pyrethrum seed; irrigated lucerne and pasture hay; and rotates other crops such as canola, wheat, and barley. In his spare time, James works for Meridian Agriculture as a Pasture Agronomy Consultant, and in 2021 established the consultancy business ‘JC Sewell Consulting’, which provides RD&E services to the agricultural grazing and pasture seed industries. James has obtained a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with honours, a diploma of Agribusiness and Master of Science Degree. James is also a Qualified Person (QP) for Intellectual Property Australia (PBR Office) for many agricultural pasture and crop species. He initially begun his career as a research agronomist before moving into the RD&E space. With a diverse range of experiences and qualifications, James brings a strong technical background in pasture seed RD&E to the Advisory Panel.

Brian Field

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania

Brian is a Senior Industry Development and Extension Officer with the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA). He has held various RD&E roles across Tasmania’s mixed farming systems, working in the grains, seed and pastoral based industries. Brian’s work is focused on developing industry connections for private and public partnerships to enhance RD&E delivery and impact. He has represented TIA on various local and national bodies and is the Tasmanian representative of the National Wool Strategy committee, a member of the Tasmanian Seed Industry Group, and developing initiatives to deliver drought resilience RD&E. Brian has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biology and Geography Majors) from the University of Tasmania.

Guy Cunningham

South Australian pasture seed grower

Guy Cunningham runs a Lucerne and winter cropping enterprise on his farm in Keith, South Australia. The Cunningham family diversified their farming enterprise moving into pasture seed production in the 90’s when wool and sheep prices fell; this is where Guy’s appreciation for and understanding of pasture seed production began. Guy has been an active member of Lucerne Australia since its beginning in 2005 and served on the Executive Committee from 2011 to 2019, including two years as Chair. Through his experience as a grower and working with Lucerne Australia, he brings a wealth of industry experience and networks to the Advisory Panel. Guy is interested in getting the best return from RD&E investments for pasture seeds growers. Guy has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Adelaide University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jess Nottle

Pasture Seed Production Agronomist

Jess is a Pasture Seed Production Agronomist based in Keith, South Australia and surrounding areas. Prior to completing her agronomy traineeship, Jess worked as an Export Administration Assistant with PGG Wrightson Seeds. Through her current and previous experience Jess has gained an excellent understanding of the pasture seed industry from both a seed growers and seed company perspective. Jess is eager to be more involved in the industry, currently supporting the Australian Seed Federation as the Southern Region Secretary and regularly engages with industry groups such as Lucerne Australia. Jess brings on the ground engagement with growers as well as a strong passion for Australian agriculture to the Advisory Panel.