Australian Seed Federation
The Australian Seed Federation (ASF) is the peak industry body for the Australian seed industry at the local, state, national and international level.
The ASF also represents its members internationally, as a member of the International Seed Federation (ISF) and the Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA).
The ASF strives to deliver Sustainability, Leadership, Integrity and Collaboration on key issues including climate change adaptation, world food security, technological developments, trade, and the growth in productivity of Australian and international agriculture, through the delivery and supply of new and improved commodities and services to the market.
A thriving seed industry that adds value to the world through high-quality seed for sowing.
To improve the Australian seed industry and ensure ASF members can continue doing business throughout the seed supply chain.
The ASF is pleased to provide our 5-year strategic plan which includes our Core Values, Key Deliverables and Structure of the Federation.
Please click on – ASF Strategic Plan 2025-2030
President: Ken Cunliffe, AgEtal
Ken Cunliffe has a passion for biology and is nearing 40 years of experience in the seed industry. This is reinforced with a degree in agriculture and an MSc. Ken has many years of field research, agronomy, and seed and grain testing experience. Ken held the position of Chair of ASF Northern Region from 2022-2024 and is a member of the AgForce Grains Council.
Vice President: Craig Myall, Synergy Seeds
Craig has over 25 years experience in the Australian pasture seeds industry, initially with Elders based in Naracoorte in the heart of the small seed industry, which afforded him the opportunity to work directly with farmers “in-field” with the production of seeds. Craig became General Manager of Seedmark which was purchased by Heritage Seeds (now Barenbrug) where he was their International Business Manager. In April 2019, Craig created the Synergy Seeds business, and today manages a highly skilled team of people who, like him, are focused on developing and maintaining relationships for mutual benefit, from the farmers that produce their varieties of pasture seeds, right through to the end customer base both here in Australian and across the world.
Vice President: Jason Agars, DLF Seeds
Jason Agars is the General Manager of DLF Seeds Australia where the focus is to improve the productivity of Australian forage and turf systems through innovation. Jason was raised on the family farm, then went onto study a Bachelor of Agricultural Business at the University of Adelaide. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jason has over 15 years of experience in senior executive roles across Agribusiness and is passionate about the role Agriculture can play in our future.
Director: Charlotte Sutherland, UMS
Director: Georgie Fitzgerald, South Pacific Seeds
Georgie’s passion for Agriculture started growing up on the family farm, before completing a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Adelaide. Her career in the seed industry began in canola breeding and seed production in Australia & Canada before joining South Pacific Seeds in 2007, where she is currently the Business Development Manager, focusing on producing high quality vegetable seed for customers around the world. Georgie is passionate about educating the wider community about the seed industry and the opportunities that it can offer graduates and people looking for long term career options. “It all starts with a seed”
Immediate Past President: Tim March, Rijk Zwaan
Tim March is the Business Manager Oceania and South & East Asia at Rijk Zwaan, where he focuses on research and development activities across the region. Prior to this, he worked in a national cereal plant breeding program in Australia and in publicly funded plant breeding research projects across Europe and Australia. Tim studied a Bachelor of Biotechnology and received a PhD in Plant Science at the University of Adelaide, and is a strong advocate for the role the Australian Seed Federation plays in representing the seed industry.
Chief Executive Officer, Katherine Delbridge | katherine@ausseed.org.au
Head of Policy and Programs, Fergus Brown | fergus@ausseed.org.au
Industry Engagement Officer, Josh Collins | josh@ausseed.org.au
Membership Services Officer, Geniveve Condell | geniveve@ausseed.org.au
Western Region (WA):
Chair: Nathan Tognela, DLF Seeds
Vice Chair: Mike Davies, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Southern Region (SA):
Chair: Aaron Keane, Barenbrug Australia
Vice Chair: Peter Gibbs, AlfaGen Seeds
Northern Region (QLD & NT):
Chair: Brent Scott, DLF Seeds
Vice Chair: Molly Stephenson, Emerge Seeds
Eastern Region (NSW & ACT):
Chair: Rowena Petrie, Royston Petrie Seeds
Vice Chair: Vacant
South-Eastern (VIC & TAS) Region:
Chair: Vacant
Vice Chair: Vacant
Science and Technology Working Group
Chair: Graham Girdwood, RAGT
The Science and Technology Working Group’s focus is on providing members with the latest developments in agricultural science and technology. The group sees regular involvement from key government and industry stakeholders to collaborate on projects and work to tackle issues locally and globally.
Lawn and Turf Seed Working Group
Chair: George Tothill, PGG Wrightson Turf
Secretary: Angus Olding, Barenbrug
The Turf and Lawn Seed Working Group’s focus is on the local testing and development of turf and lawn species. The group are responsible for the Australian National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (ANTEP) which is run to evaluate traits such as colour, density, seasonal growth, wear tolerance and spring transition.
Horticulture Working Group
Chair: David Jensen, Enza Zaden
The Horticulture Working Group’s focus is on providing members with the latest developments in the horticulture space locally and globally. The working group collaborate with government and industry to educate members and the public on topics such as Plant Breeders Rights (PBR), biosecurity and seed movement.
Education and Training Working Group
Chairs: Aline dos Passos Silva, Pacific Seeds & Kim Beliveau, Australian Seed Labs
The Education and Training Working Group’s focus is to investigate and deliver programs which can build member skills, with a focus on developing and nurturing younger members. The group also works to improve the profile and presence of the ASF.
Native Seed Industry Working Group
Chair nomination: Darren Vincent, Native Seeds
The Native Seed Industry Working Group’s focus is on the Australian Native Seed sector. The group provides members with updates, relevant news and industry opportunities for native seed companies across the country.
Biosecurity Working Group
Chair: Seeking nominations
The Biosecurity Working Group’s focus is on biosecurity and seed movement, with a particular focus on industry-government collaboration.
Services to Seed Working Group
Chair: Seeking nominations
The Services to Seed Working Group’s focus is on services supporting the seed industry, including seed testing, freight and logistics, packaging, seed processing and coating and other supply chain priorities.
Are you interested in being a supporter of the ASF?
ASF is introducing a new supporter framework from the 2026–27 membership year to replace the existing Corporate Sponsors program. The new framework has been designed to better align with ASF’s role as a member-led peak industry body.
Supporter packages are available to all financial members of ASF, and Gold and Silver Sponsor packages are available exclusively to ASF Associate Members.
For more information, get in touch with the ASF team at enquiry@ausseed.org.au.
View the ASF Privacy Policy.
