David Jochinke and John Hassell named president and vice president of National Farmers’ Federation

Victorian grain grower and livestock producer David Jochinke has been elected president of the National Farmers’ Federation, with WA mixed farmer John Hassell named vice president. Mr Jochinke replaces Fiona Simson, who was NFF’s first female president and has stepped down after seven years in the role. Hailing from Murra Warra in Western Victoria, Mr Jochinke served as NFF vice president from 2017 and was president of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation from 2016 to 2020. Mr Hassell — a mixed sheep and grain producer at Pingelly, about 160km south-east of Perth — has been president of WAFarmers since 2021 and will continue in the role. Mr Jochinke said he looked forward to representing farmers across Australia on important issues facing the sector. “Right now, we’re facing enormous challenges — from a difficult season in many parts of the country, to a trying policy environment in Canberra,” Mr Jochinke said. “Australian agriculture has so much opportunity ahead of it as we continue striving for our $100 billion vision.” Mr Jochinke was referring to NFF’s 2030 Roadmap, an ambitious plan to grow the sector to $100b in farm gate output by the end of the decade. He said Ms Simson left an “incredible legacy” that would “resonate for years to come”. “She’s left nothing on the table, and her considered, collaborative and engaging leadership has left farmers everywhere in a far stronger position,” Mr Jochinke said. “I thank her for the partnership we’ve had during our time together at the NFF and wish her… family all the best for their next chapter.” In her outgoing speech at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Ms Simson said she was proud of what the organisation had achieved during her time as president. “We know full well that the NFF and the organisations that make up our membership will need to continue to evolve,” she said. “We have to remain relevant to a new generation of farmers, and we need to ensure our structures remain the best way to bring people together and to meet our advocacy needs into the future.” Mr Hassell said he would continue “working like hell” on key issues impacting farmers, including lobbying Federal Labor to scrap its policy to ban live sheep exports. “Whatever role I take on, I tend to give it my bloody all, and I intend to do that just as much here,” he said. “I think NFF’s doing a pretty fair job, and I just wanted to be part of actually getting in and putting the boots in. “I do want to concentrate on policies that put dollars in growers pockets. To me, that’s very important. Obviously the live trade is a really big issue there.” Queensland cotton producer Hamish McIntyre was elected NFF director.