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18/6/2021

Dr Neil Moss named 'Rural Consultant of the Year' for putting leadership into action

Respected dairy and beef consultant Dr Neil Moss is Australia's 2020-21 Rural Consultant of the Year.

The announcement was made on 17 June 2021 at a ceremony at Parliament House, Canberra, as part of the annual Kondinin Group and ABC Rural' Australian Farmer of the Year' Awards.

Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, the rural consultant award recognises those individuals who continue to meet and exceed the needs of their farming communities and ensure overall success of the industry.

Dan Dixon, Marketing Director ANZ Corteva Agriscience, Dr Neil Moss & Professor Ian Lean of Scibus

Dr Moss, Senior Consultant, and director of Scibus, was chosen for the award by a judging panel of industry leaders for delivering veterinary and consultancy services based on excellence, evidence, and the highest levels of dedication for more than 25 years.

He was praised for his commitment to helping dairy, beef, and other ruminant production enterprises be the best they can be, for his exceptional insights into the on-farm adoption of agricultural research and his work with the broader dairy community, especially following 2020's devastating bushfires.

Dr Moss said it was an honour to receive the award and be recognised by the industry he loves.

"Being here today at Parliament House surrounded by so many talented people from around Australia in agriculture is a privilege." Dr Moss said. “And to be named Australia's Rural Consultant of the Year is deeply humbling.”

“To know the work I do with farmers, work that I’m passionate about, is appreciated and making a positive impact is a great honour.

“It is also personally encouraging to continue on with the things that are important, which are a strong commitment to clients, continuing to update my knowledge to bring forward the best solutions for farmers, and providing leadership and mentorship for younger people in consulting.”

Dr Moss said his role was enormously diverse and rewarding and thanked Corteva for sponsoring the award and shining a light on the rural consultant profession.

"My role covers a wide range of areas, including animal health, nutrition, pasture cropping, agronomic planning and management, human resource management, strategic planning, and facilities design. We have an overriding emphasis of providing that holistic picture so we can get the best out of each of those individual areas,” he said.

"I really enjoy the relationships I have with my clients and being a positive influence in their journey of improving their businesses. That's really rewarding.

"The farming community is presented with a lot of mixed messaging. Our challenge is to help farmers decipher and work their way through the noise. To provide clarity and support decision- making to empower them to make better decisions themselves.

“Corteva and other agriscience providers help us help farmers by bringing new products and solutions to marketplace to improve pastures, cropping, or management.”

Dan Dixon, Marketing Director ANZ for Corteva Agriscience who presented the award, congratulated Dr Moss and said he set a new standard for rural advisory.

“Corteva is proud to support the rural consultant of the year awards,” Mr Dixon said. “We know consultants play a crucial role in Australian agriculture.”

“Farmers don’t produce crops, animals or fibre without them, and our industry is more successful thanks to their expertise, advice and dedication.

"I congratulate Neil, and his two fellow finalists Rachel Bock and Liz Riley. They are extremely worthy and raise that bar for excellence even higher across a broad space from financial advice to dairy and beef advisory to viticulture.”

Finalists

Rachel Bock

A Longreach based rural financial counsellor, passionate about using her skills and knowledge to change the lives of primary producers across the local government areas of Longreach, Barcaldine, Winton, Barcoo, Diamantina, Boulia, McKinlay, Richmond and Flinders.

"I work with farmers to look at their entire situation and come up with solutions to their financialand business issues."

"Relationships are critical in my profession and underpin all the work I do with clients and financial providers."

"It's immensely rewarding to take a client in a difficult financial position, and over a period of time, help them to understand what has happened, what options are available, support them to make the right decision for them and come out the other side with a viable business."

"The Rural Consultant of the Year award is a great way to encourage more people into the profession. I think it's important to understand that there are more ways to be involved in agriculture than owning and running a property. And that each role plays their part in the success of the industry."

"Ours is a free, not for profit service available for anyone in need. To be shortlisted and get recognition for our professionalism and knowledge is not only rewarding but it helps increase awareness of the service."

Dr Neil Moss

Senior consultant and director of Scibus, with over 25 years experience providing veterinary and consultancy services to dairy, beef, and other ruminant production farmers, enterprises, and industries. He is based in Kiama but consults across Australia.

"I'm humbled and excited to be shortlisted for the Rural Consultant of the Year Award."

"My role covers a wide range of areas, including animal health, nutrition, pasture crop, agronomic planning and management, human resource management, strategic planning, and facilities design. We have an overriding emphasis of providing that holistic picture so we can get the best out of each of those individual areas."

"I really enjoy the relationships I have with my clients and being a positive influence in their journey of improving their businesses. That's really rewarding.

"Rural consultants draw on a very diverse range of skills. Some consultants are extremely focused in the area of their advice, and others are broader. There are lots of opportunities for people to collaborate as well."

"The farming community is presented with a lot of mixed messaging. Our challenge is to help farmers decipher and work their way through the noise. To provide clarity and support decision-making to empower them to make better decisions themselves."

Liz Riley

Owner and operator of Vitibit Vitibit Pty Ltd, specialist generalist viticulturist with a focus on pest and disease management, ag-chem and biosecurity. She is based in the Hunter Valley and serves Orange, Hilltops, Tumbarumba, and Murrumbateman, and participates in national projects.

'I'm thrilled to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award."

"My role is to assist vineyard owners in planning for the future – redevelopment, rejuvenation or retirement of blocks."

"I enjoy seeing a crop successfully to harvest, the beautiful landscapes, and the fantastic people I work with in the regions. The collegiate and collaborative nature of the wine industry is something that is also pretty special."

"Engaging with new entrants and assisting with the development of younger vineyard and viticultural staff is a space I'm beginning to move into. Biosecurity is also a big challenge. Driving education and implementing best practices is increasingly an underpinning component of consulting."

"The Rural Consultant of the Year Award is important as consultants are often the quiet achievers who go under the radar. They influence practice change and can be pivotal in providing support and options in times of adversity."

Country Selector

Dr Neil Moss named 'Rural Consultant of the Year' for putting leadership into action

"The farming community is presented with a lot of mixed messaging. Our challenge is to help farmers decipher and work their way through the noise. To provide clarity and support decision- making to empower them to make better decisions themselves.

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