Mr Jenkins was first co-opted to the Western Dairy board in 2017 before being formerly appointed as a director in 2018. He was re-elected for a second three-year term in 2021 and was appointed Vice Chair the same year.
Mr Jenkins was appointed Chair by his fellow directors at a recent board meeting with former Chair, Busselton dairy farmer Robin Lammie, assuming the Vice Chair position.
“I am looking forward to working with the rest of the Western Dairy board and team to continue to deliver high-level extension to WA dairy farmers and to source further research opportunities,” Mr Jenkins said.
Along with his wife Claire and their four children, Mr Jenkins runs a 750-cow dairy in Denmark.
He grew up in Western Australia’s south-west, boarding at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School before attending Muresk Institute of Agriculture and graduating with a degree in agribusiness.
Mr Jenkins assumes the Western Dairy Chair role at an interesting time for the organisation, with the announcement at its Spring Forum of an almost $82,000 decrease in its net cash position for financial year 2022/23.
“As an organisation we need to consider what our future funding model looks like,” Mr Jenkins explained.
“We will be firming up our direction to ensure we provide only what is of most relevance to WA dairy farmers and considering avenues for alternative funding.”
Mr Jenkins noted that Western Australia has maintained consistent national milk production of four per cent against a competitive labour market.
“Business resilience will be an area of focus for most WA dairy farmers in 2024,” Mr Jenkins said.
“Supporting this, with tailored programs and extension activities, is where Western Dairy can prove its value.”
Mr Jenkins commenced in the Chair role on Thursday 6 December for a period of 12 months.
