August 10, 2012
Emerald grain and beef producer Ian Burnett has been elected president of rural lobby group AgForce.
Mr Burnett, who was elected in a postal ballot, has served two terms as AgForce vice-president.
South West Queensland State Councillor Darcy Volz, from Charleville, was elected vice-president; and Christine Rolfe, from Rolleston, was re-elected treasurer.
Born near Clermont, Mr Burnett grew up as part of a family running a commercial beef cattle and dryland farming operation.
He took over an undeveloped irrigation property in Emerald in 1982 and successfully developed 1400ha hectares of flood irrigation and 2100ha of dryland development.
In 1999, Mr Burnett became the inaugural Emerald AgForce branch chairman and branch delegate to the AgForce CQ regional council.
He also became involved with other industry organisations and has held positions including Executive Member of the Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association, member of the management group of the Fitzroy Basin Food and Fibre Association and board member and Chairman of the Emerald Agricultural College.
He is a graduate of Corporate Governance and Company Financial Management with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
