WAFarmers CEO targets unity

Rueben HaleThe West Australian

New WAFarmers chief Stephen Brown has called on WA agriculture to unite in a show of strength.

"We seem to have thousands of different industry associations in WA, so by working together it seems to me we can achieve a lot of things," Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown started his new job at WAFarmers at its new office in Guilford this week.

Mr Brown, who hails from Narrogin, has had a 38-year association with agriculture, working for WA agricultural institutions Wesfarmers, Bankwest and Farmpower in finance and management roles.

After previous chief Peter Nolin resigned in May, president Dale Park and Tony York have been sharing the role.

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"I've been living out of a suitcase for a long time and I'm not getting any younger, so I am looking forward to using this role to settle down and reconnect with agriculture," Mr Brown said.

He said he did not have any immediate plans for the role but his long-term strategy would be to encourage the next generation of farmers to get involved in their support base.

"Part of my job will be to make WAFarmers a more attractive proposition to our new and upcoming members," he said.

"Having Andrew Forrest and Gina Rinehart investing in WA agriculture is sending an exciting message to the industry that it has a huge future in the next five years.

"Hopefully these people's involvement will encourage our young people in agriculture."

Mr Brown said he looked forward to meeting people at the Dowerin, Mingenew and Newdegate field days and talking about his new role.

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