Timothy Burvill

Proposer: Tom Honner

Brief Biography

I am 49 years of age, married to Sarah and have 3 children (Angas 20, Elsie 18, and Darby 14).

I am a beef cattle farmer with two properties in the lower south-east of South Australia (Conmurra and Callendale). We primarily run a recipient cow herd for the 3R Angus stud in Tamworth, who are partners in our business. I also have a separate cattle business with my father where we trade cattle from our property in Meningie, primarily PTIC heifers.

We have a wholesale butchery business, that supplies beef to the A Hereford Beefstouw steakhouse restaurants, along with other restaurants, and a dry aged beef brand, Kings+Queens, into the Drakes and Foodland supermarkets.

Having recently sold the A Hereford Beefstouw restaurants to my business partner, I still run that business at an executive level.

Why are you seeking a position on the Livestock SA Board?

As the current Chair of the Cattle Industry Fund, I have become concerned about the recent developments whereby a project was recommended to The Minister by the LSA board without any input from the Cattle Industry Fund committee. Through representation on the LSA board, I will strive to push for maintaining the independence of the Cattle and Sheep Industry Funds so that producers can be assured their funds are always managed, and project funds allocated, through a process of complete independence.

The above aside, I see an interesting and exciting period for South Australian and Australian livestock producers. I believe producers need strong leadership to represent their interests at an industry level, and I believe I can assist with this through my network, industry knowledge, and corporate governance experience.

There is no doubt the global environmental and greenhouse gas emissions concerns will push more regulatory and compliance processes back onto the producer. I want to ensure that whatever eventuates, that all the heavy lifting and cost does not get entirely lumped on the producer - and this is something that can be influenced at the LSA board level.

I also feel strongly about correct labelling of meat products. Our industry needs to ensure strong advocacy at the industry body level to ensure that our wonderful red-meat product is never able to be passed off with fake meats.

How will you represent the interests of SA’s red meat and wool producers and the broader livestock industry?

I have a strong record of representing farmers interests.

In 2023 I shone the spotlight on the wildly inaccurate rainfall forecasts of the BOM and the effect this had on the Australian cattle market. My advocacy highlighting the issue resulted in nationwide media interest on the subject, resulting in appearances on two TV networks, and numerous other national print and radio media.

I have assisted MLA over many years with the promotion of Australian meat. Through running virtual classrooms with city-based children helping them to understand where their food comes from, to recently appearing in a social media campaign with the Fairbairn brothers highlighting the wonderful stories of the Australian beef industry.

I will continue to highlight issues affecting South Australian livestock producers in a professional and passionate manner.

I have a particular interest in trying to promote agriculture as a career pathway for school leavers, as our industry is currently chronically short-staffed.

Nominees have submitted details of their past board experience, formal governance training and a resume with their nomination. For access to this information, please contact the nominee directly.