28 July 2025
The BCCM National Agricultural Co-operatives Roundtable and Dinner, held on Friday, 25 July 2025 in Griffith, NSW, brought together more than 30 leaders from across Australia’s agricultural co-operative sector for a day of knowledge sharing, strategy discussions and sector celebration.
Hosted by Yenda Producers Co-operative as part of their Centenary celebrations, the invitation-only event provided a valuable forum for agricultural co-ops to explore shared challenges and future opportunities. The theme of the roundtable was “Co-operative life cycle – case studies of grower-led icons”, and discussions focused on succession, innovation and long-term sustainability.
From field to future: Insights from grower-led icons
Opening the Roundtable, Laurie Arthur, Chairman of SunRice, shared a candid account of their transformation into one of the world’s largest rice food companies. Arthur outlined the journey from co-operative to corporate structure, examining the trade-offs, regulatory pressures, and long-term strategic implications of the change. His insights sparked a discussion among participants about balancing member control with growth and capital needs.
Modernising member engagement: Yenda and Syndex
Delegates also heard from Anthony Nehme, General Manager of Yenda Producers Co-operative, and Ross Verry, CEO of Syndex, who presented a compelling case study on digital member platforms. They explored how Yenda’s implementation of the Syndex system is helping to streamline share capital management, improve transparency around rebates, and deepen member engagement.
Navigating risk in an uncertain climate
René Nel and Ian Poustie from Willis Towers Watson delivered a timely update on risk and resilience in the agriculture sector. Nel outlined practical strategies for improving workplace health, safety and wellbeing across co-ops, while Poustie raised critical questions about the future of catastrophe insurance in the face of intensifying natural disasters. Their presentation, grounded in the latest data from the WTW Global Risk Report, highlighted the urgent need for co-ops to consider alternative risk transfer models.
Celebrating 100 years of Yenda Producers Co-operative
Following the Roundtable, delegates were treated to a gala dinner hosted by Yenda Producers Co-operative in celebration of their 100-year milestone. The evening was a chance to recognise the enduring contribution of one of Australia’s longest-standing agricultural co-operatives and to reflect on the values that continue to guide the sector.
The event confirmed the value of the BCCM Roundtable as a biannual touchpoint for strategy, innovation and collective action among Australia’s agricultural co-ops.
The value of co-operatives to Australian agriculture
Leading members of the BCCM shared their views on the role of co-ops in boosting productivity in Australian agriculture.
“Almondco has been a co–operative and a member–based organisation for over 80 years. Certainly, the value in the collective structure has brought unparalleled benefits to our grower members across the growing regions of Australia.”
“Yenda over the last 100 years has really taken to the purpose of what it’s there to achieve, it’s about the collective buying and ensuring that the members do achieve their goals and the services which they wouldn’t be able to achieve on an individual basis.”
“I think the main point is that co-operatives do really allow individuals to achieve a goal which on an individual basis wouldn’t be possible. It’s a collective that really means that you’re pulling resources to achieve a target.”
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