Our work
AEGIC is an independent, not-for-profit company established in 2012 to increase value in the Australian grains industry.
AEGIC is an initiative of Grains Australia and the Western Australian State Government.
We have offices in Perth and Sydney staffed by leading industry experts. Our facilities include research laboratories, pilot mill, pilot bakery and commercial analytical laboratories.
AEGIC’s value
The Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) is an independent organisation that helps position Australian grain as the preferred choice in international markets.
AEGIC does this by:
- Understanding the needs of grain customers.
- Identifying and supporting grain market opportunities.
- Educating customers on the benefits of Australian grain.
- Innovating to develop new solutions and high-value uses.
This helps the Australian grains industry breed, classify, grow and supply grain that markets prefer.
AEGIC’s primary beneficiaries are Australian grain growers, and the impact of AEGIC’s work spans the whole grains supply chain: from the grower in Australia, whose grain is valued internationally, to the consumer who enjoys excellent noodles, baked products and beer made from Australian grain.
- Market insight
- Future trends
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- End-user support
- Industry education
- Commercial services
| Description | Value | Grower Benefit |
|---|---|---|
|
We know what end-users want We go into Australia’s key grain markets and identify the current and future grain requirements of millers, processors, maltsters and brewers. |
This intelligence helps the Australian grains industry breed, classify, grow and supply grain that markets prefer. | Our insight helps growers decide which crops and varieties to grow. Growers have access to varieties that are better suited to market needs. |
| Description | Value | Grower Benefit |
|---|---|---|
|
We understand the big picture We analyse global market information and economic data to understand future market trends and opportunities for Australian grain. |
This analysis helps the Australian grains industry position itself to capture maximum value from future opportunities. | This analysis helps growers understand future opportunities for Australian grain and advocate for industry changes that are needed to capitalise on these opportunities. |
| Description | Value | Grower Benefit |
|---|---|---|
|
We think outside the box We develop new products, methods and technologies for the Australian grains industry. |
Our innovations create new, higher value opportunities for Australian grain. | Creating new opportunities for Australian grain helps growers reduce their risk through market and product diversification. |
| Description | Value | Grower Benefit |
|---|---|---|
|
We share our market insights We make sure Australian stakeholders know what we know about our grain markets. We engage early and often, and we work collaboratively with other organisations. |
AEGIC’s knowledge and insight empowers the industry to breed, classify, grow and supply grain that markets prefer. | Our insight helps growers decide which crops and varieties to grow. Growers have access to varieties that are better suited to market needs. |
| Description | Value | Grower Benefit |
|---|---|---|
|
We help markets get the best out of Australian grain We provide technical information, in-market support and education to international customers to help them understand and optimise the value of Australian grain. |
This encourages international customers to purchase Australian grain. | International markets are more likely to use Australian wheat, ultimately supporting growers. |
| Description | Value | Grower Benefit |
|---|---|---|
|
We empower you with knowledge We offer hands-on training to Australian grains industry participants in wheat quality, flour milling and baking. |
Understanding how wheat and flour quality affects noodles and baked products in key markets helps grain traders and others offer the best possible products and services to their customers. | Grain traders who understand the quality strengths of Australian grain are better equipped to extract maximum value from the market, ultimately for growers’ benefit. |
| Description | Value | Grower Benefit |
|---|---|---|
|
Unmatched by other laboratories We offer industry-leading services in grain quality analysis, food innovation, R&D, consultancy and training. |
AEGIC’s highly qualified experts help grains industry clients get the answers they need to deliver excellent products and maximum value. |
Values
AEGIC strives to be an employer of choice and is committed to supporting a values-based culture that drives our vision and facilitates a safe, harmonious and productive workplace.
AEGIC’s three core values are Respect, Connect and Strive
AEGIC’s values are integrated into everything the business does including how AEGIC recruits, manages, communicates, recognises and interacts with our staff, clients, collaborators and the wider community.
Respect
RESPECT for the individual is at the heart of AEGIC’s relationships between staff, stakeholders, clients and the wider community. We treat people with decency and respect in a diverse, safe and healthy work environment.
Connect
CONNECTING with our stakeholders and clients for grains grower benefit is the focus of our collaborations. We engage early and often and actively seek to understand and work with our stakeholders.
Strive
We STRIVE to achieve excellence through continuous improvement, lifelong learning and innovation to deliver impactful projects and value to the Australian grains industry.
Our board
Ron Storey
Chairman
Ron Storey brings extensive experience in the Australian and global grains industry to the AEGIC Board.
Ron has over 20 years of global grain marketing experience, plus a further 20 years in consulting, market research, and commercialisation activities in grains and agribusiness.
He is a former Director and Chairman of Pulse Australia, and a former Director and Chairman of AGT Breeding and Australian Crop Forecasters.
Ron is currently Managing Director of Storey Marketing Services and retains a grain growing interest in his family farm.
Matthew Macfarlane
Director
Matthew Macfarlane (BCom GAICD CA) is the Chair of iCetana (ASX:ICE) – an AI-video analytics company and of PetRescue – a pet rehoming charity.
Matt is also a non-executive director of AgriFutures a statutory body that helps to fund research and development in Australian rural industries. Matt is an active angel investor in early stage tech startups, and has been contributing to the startup eco-system in Perth for over 18 years.
Matt works hands-on with technology-led companies to assist in building teams, accelerating growth, achieving milestones and securing additional financing. He is a judge for the WA Innovator of the Year Awards and the AIM Pinnacle Awards.
Karlie Mucjanko
Director
Karlie Mucjanko has almost 20 years of experience communicating with and on behalf of farmers across Australia.
For more than a decade of this time, Karlie built her commercial management skills as a Senior Executive for Australia’s largest agribusiness, the CBH Group. During her time with the CBH Group, Karlie in her role as General Manager External Relations, played an integral role in reducing the cost of regulation for CBH at the same time as building stronger engagement and connection with grain growers to secure supply and build competitive advantage for CBH. Karlie has also been building her Non-Executive Director career and is currently the Deputy Chair of the Western Australian Regional Development Trust and a Director of Fremantle Port, Intergrain Pty Ltd and the Guildford Grammar School Foundation.
Andrew Young
Director
Based in Western Australia, Andrew Young has over 25 years’ experience in senior executive and director roles in leading agribusiness based in Australia and South East Asia.
He is involved in several large agribusinesses in both Executive and Non-Executive roles. He is currently a non-executive Chair of grain export business Plum Grove. Andrew is the Chair of Westpork Pty Ltd, Western Australia’s largest pork producer and its joint venture processing and food service company Dardanup Butchering Company.
Andrew is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and completed the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD business.
Leadership team
Courtney Draper
Executive General Manager
Dr Ken Quail
General Manager - Research & Technical Services (Sydney)
Prof. Ross Kingwell
Chief Economist
Prof. Ross Kingwell
BSc (Agric) (1st Hons); MSc (Agric); PhD; Dip Proj Mngt; GAICD
Ross is a respected agricultural economist. He is the author of more than 100 journal articles and book chapters, and more than 220 conference papers and policy reports. In addition to leading AEGIC’s Economics and Business Analysis team, Ross is a professor in the School of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UWA and was formerly chief economist in the Department of Agriculture & Food.
Ross chairs the Australian Farm Institute’s (AFI) research advisory committee. He has been a co-editor of the Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AJARE), and is a former president and distinguished fellow of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES).
Dr Larisa Cato
Wheat Quality Technical Markets Manager
Larisa is a cereal chemist and grain researcher, well versed in the wheat quality requirements of Australian international markets. Larisa is internationally recognised as an expert in the field of wheat quality and end product requirements. Larisa possess a unique set of skills combining scientific, technical and market expertise.
Larisa transferred to AEGIC from DAFWA, where she had worked since 2008 in the role of enhancing the Department’s capacity to support industry development and ensure the WA wheat industry is internationally competitive.
Before joining DAFWA, Larisa worked as an Asian Product Specialist with AWB Ltd. from 2005 to 2008.
Michelle Hutchins
General Manager - Strategy & Communications
Jack King
Barley and Oat Quality Program Manager
Dr Chris Carter
Acting Market Insights Manager
2022-23 Annual Report
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