Dairy retains top talent
Dr Matthew Shaffer – DataGene’s CEO since its formation in 2016 – will take on the role of Chief Executive Officer, Dairy Australia, from 16 July.
DataGene Chair, Tim Jelbart, said that while the move created a vacancy at the organisation, he was delighted as a farmer that Matt would continue to contribute to the dairy industry through his new role.
“Matt set up DataGene from scratch and has been the driving force behind its vision and achievements,” Tim said. “We are immensely grateful for his inspiring leadership, passion for the industry and ability to create a collaborative culture. He leaves the organisation well-positioned to continue to deliver value to the industry.”
“Under Matt’s leadership, DataGene has made a major contribution to a significant increase in the rate of genetic gain in the Australian dairy herd. A recent benefit-cost analysis found that every dollar invested in DataGene returns $16 of benefits to the industry.”
Dr Matt Shaffer is leaving DataGene after almost nine years, to head up Dairy Australia.
Some of DataGene’s key achievements under Matt’s leadership have included:
- Delivering the Improving Herds project which demonstrated the value of genetic improvement to dairy business profit.
- Redeveloping the industry’s genetic evaluation IT system – a complex, multi-year project that provided the foundation for a Central Data Repository and industry access portal (DataVat)
- Increasing the number of genetic evaluation runs from 11 times a year to 41.
- Halving the turnaround time for providing genomic test results from eight weeks to four.
- Diversifying income by providing services to other organisations across agriculture.
Matt said he was grateful for the support from the DataGene board, employees and stakeholders. “I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. As I begin the next step in my journey, I continue to be excited about what the DataGene team will deliver for the industry in the future,” he said.
A recruitment process for a replacement will begin today, through Mick Hay from Rimfire Resources, a trusted partner that DataGene has worked with before.
For more information contact: DataGene 1800 841 848 or enquiries@datagene.com.au or www.datagene.com.au.