Executive Committee
Ben Farmer
Grower Member - Chair
Ben started with Alpha Group Consulting at Keith in 2013 before purchasing a lucerne property with his wife Rachel in December 2016. After a period of time with Nutrien Ag Solutions they began Wilkei Seeds trading a large portion of feed grains and suppling a wide range of pasture seeds both to seed exporters and businesses throughout Australia. Ben believes his direct experience within most facets of the lucerne seed supply chain brings a valuable and unique perspective to the LA Executive Committee.
Rodney Lush
Grower Member
Rodney farms with his wife Sally at Coombe, producing lucerne seed, lamb and wool since 1991. The farm production system is based around centre pivot and flood irrigated lucerne and rain fed perennial pastures. He also provides farm business advice and support to clients in the Mallee, South East and Western Victoria as a consultant with Proadvice.
Greg Excell
Associate Member
Greg has more than twenty eight years experience in the seed industry. He has performed various roles including seed cleaning, grain drying and engineering, and has now purchased his own seed processing site called Limestone Coast Seeds.
Greg works collaboratively with both growers and marketers to ensure that only Lucerne seed of the highest quality is exported. From working in the seed business for many years it is obvious to Greg the many benefits that Lucerne Australia can offer the industry.
Harrison Berry
Grower Member
Harrison manages a family farming operation at Brimbago, south east of Keith with cropping and sheep enterprises and as well as producing flood irrigated and dryland Lucerne seed. Before returning to manage the Brimbago property 5 years ago, Harrison worked in the Mining industry and also the Civil/Construction industry. This variety has provided a range of different insights and learnings, but he has a strong passion for the agricultural industry and is keen to contribute in building the lucerne seed industry further.
Adam Zacker
Grower Member
Adam owns and operates the family farm at Tintinara with his wife Hannah. They run a mix of cropping, sheep (both self-replacing Merinos and prime lamb production), a herd of Angus cows and both dryland and irrigated lucerne seed and hay. Adam is passionate about the lucerne industry and its challenges.
Aaron Keane
Associate Member
Aaron has been in the seed industry since 2008, starting with Seed Services Australia. During his time at Seed Services, he had a number of roles in both the laboratory and certification programs. In July 2023 he joined Barenbrug Australia as a Seed Production Agronomist, covering the Upper South-East across to the Eyre Peninsula.
Ryan Vandeleur
Grower Member
Ryan farms in the Upper South East, 10 km east of Tintinara on the Dukes Highway. Vandeleur Rural Holdings is a family farming business with properties located in the Mid North and South East. Their properties are mixed farming businesses comprising of ‘Rices Creek’ poll merino sheep stud, Black Angus cattle, cropping, dry land and irrigated lucerne seed along with hay production.
Ryan brings to the committee insight into lucerne production, particularly lucerne seed and hay production. He is a passionate lucerne grower who works alongside our other like-minded people to continue to develop his knowledge around the lucerne industry.
Will Secker
Grower Member
Will and his wife Sarah own and manage farms in the Keith area producing lucerne seed, lucerne hay, prime lambs and wool, winter crops and a small herd of Angus cattle. Since returning to the family farm in 2003, Will and Sarah have had a strong focus on irrigated lucerne seed production. Will is passionate about all facets of lucerne seed production and marketing.
