DataGene Board
DataGene is governed by a skills-based board. Members are elected on their knowledge and experience in dairy, herd improvement, finance, R&D and governance. The board must include three directors with direct expertise in dairy farm management. Directors are entitled to serve a three-year term and up to three consecutive terms (i.e. nine years). The ongoing rotation of directors ensures the ongoing refreshment of skills and experience on the board.
Tim Jelbart
Chair
Tim is a dairy farmer and Holstein breeder from Inverloch, West Gippsland, Victoria. He is the general manager and director of Jelbart Dairy which is owned by Tim and his brother, comprising a dryland dairy and beef business with 1,100 high production Holstein milking cows and 1,500 head of dairy replacements and F1 Wagyu calves.
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The business relies on genomic testing for accurate genetic information, which has resulted in significant genetic gains across the herd in recent years. Before returning to the family farm Tim completed a degree in applied science, specialising in rural property valuation, and has valued some of the largest agribusiness assets across Australia. Tim is currently the Chair of the Genetic Evaluation Standing Committee.
Alexander Ball
Alex Ball and his wife Melissa own and operate a stud beef enterprise in Armidale NSW.
Having spent 18 years in various roles with MLA, Alex has extensive knowledge of the development of and implementation of genetic evaluation systems including data recording, genomic prediction, and single step evaluation.
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He managed the national sheep recording program Sheep Genetics and was instrumental in the establishment of across-flock, across breed and Merino evaluations for the sheep industry. He has managed national R&D programs in genetics, eating quality, feedbase, adoption and extension. He has conducted evaluation of genetic investments in Australia and internationally. He has also been the CEO and company secretary of Herefords Australia and was responsible for the implementation of single step evaluation for that breed.
Since 2018 Alex has operated his own private consultancy service, Rural Analytics. He has delivered projects in areas such as R&D program evaluation, extension evaluation, agtech innovation, data ecosystems, monitoring and evaluation reporting and framework development, DNA traceability, carcase and animal health feedback, drought resilience, FTAI and sexed semen, objective measurement technology, natural capital, biocontrol of weeds, environmental stewardship, strategic planning, and the independent external review of several RDCs. He has been a policy committee member of Cattle Australia and a ARLP drought mentor. He currently sits on working groups for Cattle Australia and NFF and is a director of the SRS genetics company.
David Barber
David Barber is actively involved with his family’s 180–cow dairy farm, Range View Farm at Marburg, Queensland. He also runs a small nutrition consultancy business in south-east Queensland providing advice to dairy and beef farmers on nutrition and feeding management to improve productivity and profitability.
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David’s roles with the farm include feed supply and procurement, feeding management; heifer rearing and breeding management, dairy-beef production; and assisting with day-to-day activities such as milking, feeding and repairs and maintenance.
He has more than 40 years’ experience in agricultural production systems, including dairy, beef, sheep, poultry and fodder production. He has held both research and extension roles, mostly with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
In addition to his expertise on dairy nutrition and feeding, David brings to the board a deep understanding of the production system, operating environment and unique challenges faced by the Northern dairy industry.
His experience as a dairy farmer and nutrition consultant combined with his background in science and extension gives David a strong understanding of the drivers of the uptake of research findings and motivations for farmers to implement new practices.
James (Jim) Bruce
Jim Bruce has worked most of his career in the Australian genetics supply chain, including with Semex, ABS, Phoenix Genetics, Genes Diffusion, Genex, Elders Genetic Services and Elders Rural Services. This has given him insights into the different systems operating in Australia, USA, Canada and France.
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He has experience in both dairy and beef artificial breeding and genetics and the opportunities and challenges for herd improvement in Australian livestock industries.
Jim is currently the Country Manager (Australia & NZ) for VikingGenetics.
I am confident I can contribute as a Board member with ideas and lived-experience, along with a strong understanding of organisational processes and governance.
Jeff Odgers
Dairy Australia nominated director
Jeff Odgers has more than 35 years’ experience in Australian agribusiness; through involvement in large scale dairy farming, and board roles in research, industry services and food manufacturing.
He was Dairy Australia Chair 2017-2020, serving as a non-executive director between 2013 and 2021.
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Jeff led Murray Dairy Inc as board Chair 2008-2012, during a time of significant evolution in the regions farm systems.
Jeff was also a non-executive director of Bega Cheese Limited 2011-2020 and priorto that Tatura Milk Industries Limited 2009-2011.
He has a deep understanding of the value chain and a passion for farming and encouraging the adoption of technology. Jeff is a strong believer in the capacity
of the dairy industry to create and put tools in the hands of farmers, as an enabler towards strengthening their businesses.
Sam Simpson
Sam Simpson and her husband operate at 450-cow dairy farm, Craiglands Holsteins, at Larpent in South Western Victoria. They have been members of Holstein Australia for 15 years and genotyping their animals since 2015. Sam runs the herd’s breeding program as well as the business finances, HR and information systems.
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She is the Chair of DataGene’s Data Access and Standards Standing Committee and is actively involved in a number of industry groups including promoting dairy to the local community and school groups. Craiglands Holsteins was a focus farm for the ImProving Herds project and Sam was a member of the MIR for Profit project steering committee. Before taking on a full‑time role with the farm, Sam spent 10 years as a sheep officer and Farm$mart Project Manager with the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
Josie Zilm
Josie Zilm has spent most of her career in agricultural banking including a variety of roles with National Australia Bank and a period with Fonterra, Tasmania. Located at Gippsland, Victoria, she is also a beef and fodder producer, former deputy chair of the Herd Improvement Co-operative Australia (Hico) and former deputy chair of the Southern Rural Water Groundwater and Rivers Forum.
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Josie’s agribusiness roles have given her a deep understanding of dairy farmers’ business operating conditions including community expectations associated with climate change and environmental sustainability. Josie works with industry stakeholders, the supply chain and government to understand the challenges and opportunities across the agricultural sector.
Josie is a partner in Amella Pastoral, an irrigated beef grazing property producing grass-fed Angus cattle and irrigated fodder production.
With an honours Degree in Agricultural Science, an MBA and as a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Josie has a solid understanding of agriculture and corporate governance and director responsibilities. Her board experience includes Hico (current) and Southern Rural Water.