CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Grain Producers Australia (GPA) announced on Feb. 21 that it has appointed Stephen Ball as director for the southern region of Australia. The appointment will be presented to the GPA annual general meeting in July for ratification. Ball replaces, Michael Schafer, who stepped down from the board in 2015.

Andrew Weidemann, GPA chairman, welcomed Ball to the board and said his appointment came at a key time for the grain industry.

“Steve brings a range of skills at a time when the grain industry continues to evolve both its representative and various service structures, as well as continuing the many challenges presented in what is an international industry,” Weidemann said. “His experiences as a grain grower, an educator, a company director and leader of an industry organization will add yet another dimension to the GPA board and serve the members well.”

Currently, Ball runs Wattle Vale Farm near Riverton in the mid-north of South Australia. His previous roles before returning to the farm included lecturing in research at Roseworthy Agricultural College.

A member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Ball is on the board of Grain Producers South Australia and was previously a director of Grain Growers Limited.

Strongly committed to developments in agriculture, Ball was a board member of the SA No-Till Farmers Association 2000-08, including three years as chairman 2005-08.