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Foreword By Andrew Weidemann AM
the most of this important role. I have since 2016 developed a close professional relation- ship with the company’s senior management and consider them to be both very talented and earn- est; their values are of the highest order. I am personally committed to helping ensure TAF’s positive impact on Australian agriculture continues – its future utility will mostly depend on the support One Mandate Group receives from the various corners across the na- tion’s agricultural landscape.
publication in its category. This multi-decade company, based in Sydney NSW, has built a vast network of distinguished writers including agricultural scientists, educators and advocates from government, private industry and academia that looks to be without peer. Their book of distinction, that undergoes digital delivery via 50+ agricultural peak bodies, is helping to promote cross-pollina- tion of innovative ideas and lift the narrative around innovation prin- ciples and practices, that are of universally relevance, in a mean- ingful way for 125,000 farmers and those that support them. Most pleasing is their commit- ment, as a NFP, to rural commun- ity-related objectives. I note, for example, they have a number of CSR initiatives including a free printed TAF distribution for 100s of high schools via the Primary Indus- tries Education Foundation Aus- tralia, an editorial focus on women in ag and a history of donating to various rural causes. Recently, having been a TAF Advisory Board Member since its inception, I have eagerly as- sented to the publisher’s invita- tion to become TAF’s new Patron – replacing the late Major General Michael Jeffery who was, follow- ing his tenure as Governor Gen- eral, the world’s first national soil health advocate. With big shoes to fill, I am earnest about making
With a 30+ year farming history built on principles of early adoption of technology and investment in R&D, quality literature examining latest trends in modern agriculture has al- ways been important to me. I have, for example, been an avid reader of specialist publisher One Man- date Group’s The Australian Farmer (TAF), a deluxe digital book and at- tendant web platform campaign, since its original launch in 2017. TAF offers the forward-thinking Australian farmer and other pro- fessionals working in the wider agricultural economy something profoundly unique and increasingly useful to support their decision making: access to latest advance- ments in agricultural science, in- novation, technology, productivity and profitability at the national level. As an example of practical innovation, which I have been fas- cinated in personally for several decades, the group I currently chair has developed the first voluntary code for autonomous farm equip- ment which has been promoted world-wide as a major step forward for agriculture. Innovations like this one demonstrate the merit of long- term investment made by farming businesses right across the country as the industry seeks to maintain a competitive edge. I have enjoyed watching TAF continue to deliver value to our industry over the years and now consider it Australia’s leading
Andrew Weidemann AM, A third-generation farmer from Rupanyup in Victoria’s Wimmera Region Chairman of Grain Producers Australia and Patron of The Australian Farmer (TAF) Digital Book and web campaign.
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