The partners of the highly successful South Island Dairying Development Centre (SIDDC) have appointed Richard Christie to the role of Executive Director. SIDDC, (http://www.siddc.org.nz) is a partnership formed between Lincoln University, Dexcel Ltd, Crop and Food Research Ltd, Ravensdown Fertiliser Co-operative Ltd, and South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) to enhance the competitive advantage of dairying in the South Island. SIDDC incorporates the high profile Lincoln University Dairy Farm, numerous research and extension projects, and is looking to further expand its influence into other regions of the South Island.
Richard Christie has been the General Manager of Strategic Development for Ravensdown for eight years, and will continue in this role on a part-time basis, while also taking on the position with SIDDC.
Announcing the appointment, the Chairman of the SIDDC Board and Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University, Professor Roger Field, said the board was pleased to be able to appoint a candidate with the breadth of experience that Richard possesses and the familiarity he has with the workings and objectives of the partners.
“Richard was closely involved with the establishment of SIDDC in 2002, triggered by the conversion of the new Lincoln University Dairy Farm, and he has been associated with the partnership and a number of the related research projects since then,” said Professor Field.”
With 25 years in the agricultural sector, gaining a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Lincoln University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Otago, and working for fertiliser companies, Federated Farmers, and dairy companies, Richard has a range of skills well suited to the position. He has a strong research, development and extension background with strengths in environmental management, policy, strategy, and commercial disciplines.
“I also want to acknowledge the great efforts of outgoing Executive Director Peter Gaul,” said Professor Field.
“Since Peter’s appointment in 2004 he has been able to gel farmer interest in the activities of SIDDC. This is evident in the large farmer attendances at the quarterly focus days and the high profile of both the Lincoln University Dairy Farm and SIDDC.”
In tackling the Executive Director’s role, Richard sees great potential.
He says that in the last four years the partners of SIDDC have built a unique technology transfer tool in the Lincoln University Dairy Farm.
“It is commercially relevant to a wide cross section of dairy farmers, and has absolutely leading edge monitoring and measurement systems. The farm is able to provide vital environmental monitoring data. It is a great platform for production and profit benchmarking and for trialling new technologies.
“Now the challenge is to springboard from this platform, utilising the skills in research and extension of the SIDDC partners, combined with the dairy farmer input from SIDE, so that dairying in the South Island can continue to flourish,” says Richard.
“By linking in with dairy industry strategies and directions, SIDDC can better leverage the research and extension funding base. We will also be looking to widen our breadth by working more closely with all South Island dairying regions.”
Rodney Green CEO of Ravensdown Fertiliser Co-op sees the secondment of Richard from Ravensdown to SIDDC as a logical step. “Richard has a broad knowledge of the SIDDC activities, and brings the skills and enthusiasm necessary to move SIDDC ahead as the partners require,” says Mr Green.
Richard commences the role in mid-August.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Professor Roger Field,
Chair, Board of South Island Dairying Development Centre;
Vice-Chancellor, Lincoln University, Canterbury
Tel: (03) 325 3816
Email: Roger Field