Queensland farmer Hamish McIntyre has been elected as the new President of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), becoming the organisation’s 15th leader.
Mr McIntyre takes over from outgoing President and Victorian farmer David “DJ” Jochinke, who has completed the maximum 12-year term on the NFF board, including two years as President.
Running a family-owned farming operation across the St George, Dirranbandi, Quilpie, and Beaudesert districts, Mr McIntyre brings extensive experience from across multiple agricultural sectors. His enterprise spans irrigated and dryland farming, cattle breeding, a beef feedlot, and broiler chicken production. He has previously served as Chair of Cotton Australia and as a Director on both the Australian Wagyu Association and Agsafe Boards.
“I am honoured to be elected as the NFF President. I look forward to working with our members to advance Australian agriculture,” Mr McIntyre said.
“My priority will be making sure farmers are front and centre in policy discussions in Canberra.”
Mr McIntyre paid tribute to his predecessor, acknowledging Mr Jochinke’s strong leadership and advocacy.
“DJ leaves a legacy of strong farm advocacy. He stood up for what was right and had access to leaders and decision makers at the highest level.
“Under his leadership, the NFF has delivered significant wins for farmers, including scrapping two taxes – the Biosecurity Protection Levy and the Super Tax,” he said.
“But at the heart of what DJ strived to achieve was putting people first.”
“Under his leadership, farmer mental health, wellbeing and safety became key priorities for the NFF. This focus led to the creation of a national mental health coalition supported by more than 50 organisations across agriculture, health and rural sectors.”
Mr Jochinke will continue in his role until the conclusion of the 44th NFF Members’ Council meeting on Friday 24 October 2025.
Alongside the leadership transition, two new Directors have been elected to the NFF Board. Ben Bennett, President of Australian Dairy Farmers, and NSW farmer Peter Herrmann, President of the Ricegrowers Association, will replace outgoing Directors Lisa Minogue and David Connolly.
The refreshed board will include President Hamish McIntyre, Vice President John Hassell, and continuing Directors Georgie Somerset and Mark Horan. All positions will be formally ratified at the NFF Annual General Meeting on Monday 20 October 2025.
Mr McIntyre assumes leadership at a challenging time for the NFF, with membership stability emerging as a pressing issue.
NSW Farmers has given notice it intends to leave the NFF within 12 months unless substantial reforms are made to address what it described as “inefficiencies in the national advocacy model”.
The resignation notice, sent in April by NSW Farmers President and New England local Xavier Martin, follows the similar withdrawal of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation and AusVeg’s departure from the NFF Horticulture Council in 2024.
The new NFF board will take effect following the conclusion of the Members’ Council on 24 October.
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