ABOUT US
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The underlying philosophy of Farm Trade Australia is to deliver a greater share of the returns from agricultural production back to farmers. By working collaboratively, Farm Trade Australia believes we will improve the competitive position of farm businesses and attract increased investment back into regional communities.
The farmers share of farm revenue has fallen over time. The chart below shows the diminishing percentage of the total value, created by farmers, that finds its way back to farm businesses and rural communities. Basically, the farmers share of the ‘pie’ is getting smaller over time. Left unaddressed, this trend will continue.
Smaller and Smaller
Farmers percentage of food dollar has been declining for 57 years.
The Second Chance Foundation (2013) Why Grow More Food: Squeezing Profits from Long Value Chains, The Second Chance Foundation, viewed 13 September 2020, Source
OUR HISTORY
Farm Trade Australia was founded by David Matthews. David and his family are long term farmers from the Wimmera region of Victoria. They are passionate farmers and strong advocates for thriving rural communities. They love and are committed to rural Australia and the broadacre farming industry that underpins the economy right across Australia.
The desire to create Farm Trade Australia was driven by an increasing concern for the social challenges facing rural communities brought about by the consolidation of farming enterprises, the reduced returns to those enterprises, and the flow-on effect to rural communities. David believes the most sustainable way to address a social problem is to find a commercial solution, hence the origins of Farm Trade Australia.
David has been involved in two significant ventures that have had a similar philosophy to Farm Trade Australia. The first venture was the creation of The Wimmera Grain Company, a pulse processing and export business which now exports around 80,000mt of pulses per annum from the Rupanyup plant. The second was the establishment of the Rupanyup / Minyip Community Bank, the first Community Bank in Australia. This is now a national network of 325 community owned bank branches which collectively manage $37billion of customer holdings.
OUR STRUCTURE
Farm Trade Australia is a commercially focussed, professionally managed agribusiness owned by Australian farmers. FTA will begin with a simple membership structure to provide the framework required to develop the business.
Once established FTA will look to convert to an unlisted public company, a company owned by farmers. It will take two to three years to build Farm Trade Australia to a scale where it can positively impact the communities in which we operate.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Farm Trade Australia has formed an Advisory Council to help guide the development of the business. Members represent a diverse cross section of the agri value chain, from grass roots farming to research, banking and finance, and international trade.
John Bennett - Farmer, Lawloit
Pru Cook - Extension Consultant, Dimboola
Kate Cowan - Teacher and Farmer, Minyip
Tracy Dart - Farmer, Warracknabeal
Rob Fox - Agronomist, Marnoo
Ashley Fraser - Farmer & Seed Processor, Rutherglen
Alexandra Gartmann - CEO Rural Bank, Bendigo
Steve Jeffries - Researcher, Adelaide
Peter Knights - Accountant & Farmer, St Arnaud
Evan Lewis - Farmer, Werneth
Denise McLellan - Farmer & Consultant, Horsham
Brad Miles - Farmer, Tarranyurk
Scott Reading - Farmer, Rupanyup
Julie Slater - Farmer & Communications, Corack
Ron Storey - Agri markets Consultant, Melbourne
Charlie Taylor - Farmer, Lubeck
Carling Henderson - Farmer, Banyena
Harm van Rees - Researcher - Crop Facts, Bendigo