The organisation announced the appointment of Jo Sheppard, former councillor and mayor of Paroo Shire Council in south west Queensland, who will replace Dr Georgina Davis effective February 14.

Sheppard recently served as director of stakeholder engagement at the University of Southern Queensland.

As well as her tenure with local government, Sheppard’s previous include CEO of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and director on the board of Sunwater.

Sheppard said advocating on behalf of Queensland’s 13,000 farmers was a significant responsibility.

“Given the importance of the agriculture sector to the state’s economy and regional communities, effective representation is critical,” she said.

“Despite facing ongoing challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, rising input prices, biosecurity incursions and climate change, Queensland farmers continue to produce world-class food, fibre and foliage.

“I look forward to supporting and striving for a better deal for Queensland’s farmers to strengthen their productivity and profitability into the future.”

QFF president Allan Dingle said under Sheppard’s direction the organisation would progress a broad range of economic, social, environmental and regional issues of strategic importance to improve the operating environment for Queensland’s farmers.