![Pat O'Shannassy has been formally anounced as the new Grain Trade Australia chief executive. Pat O'Shannassy has been formally anounced as the new Grain Trade Australia chief executive.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/5Q2j7ezUfQBfUJsaqK3gfB/5c2bc24e-3622-4abc-a402-adc392b1b3e0.jpg/r0_0_1200_1800_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
GTA appointment
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Grain Trade Australia (GTA) has appointed Pat O’Shannassy as its chief executive on a permanent basis.
Mr O’Shannassy had been in the role in an interim basis since July prior to his permanent appointment.
GTA chairman Peter Reading congratulated Mr O’Shannassy.
“Pat has been very effective in the interim CEO role since July and has established strong working relationships with the Board and staff, members and the broader grains industry," said Mr Reading.
Mr O’Shannassy has over 20 years’ experience in the grain industry in Australia and the US.
Turkish drought
AUSTRALIAN pulse producers will be closely monitoring the impact of a dry season in Turkey.
Turkey is a major producer of pulses, but can also be a net importer of crops such as lentils and chickpeas.
Most of its lentil imports come from Canada but a dry season may mean a need to look elsewhere, including Australia.
The drought has seen just 58.3pc of average rainfall for October across the nation, with the fertile Mediterranean belt the worst impacted.
New USW president
VINCE Peterson will replace long-serving US Wheat Associates president Alan Tracy in July next year.
USW members this month unanimously agreed on Mr Peterson as Mr Tracy’s successor.
USW is one of the most powerful farmer lobby groups on the globe, representing the interests of U.S. wheat farmers in more than 100 countries.
Mr Tracy has held the post for 20 years.
Iran exports
AUSTRALIA’S hopes of exporting wheat to India this season have been dented by the news the Iranian Government expects it will export around three million tonnes of wheat this year.
A record production season has meant Iran will be a net exporter of wheat this season.
It is close to India and would have a freight advantage over Australia in terms of getting grain into the Indian market.
Nominations open
Nominations are now open for GrainGrowers' Australian Grain Farm Leaders Program.
The Program is a national leadership opportunity designed specifically for young Australian grain farmers. The program develops young farmers' leadership skills, knowledge and potential.
Each year up to ten farmers from across Australia are selected to pursue a small project of their choice and to benefit from leadership mentoring and peer networking.
GrainGrowers General Manager David McKeon said the opportunity was exciting.
"The program is a diverse mix of individual, one-on-one and group efforts,” he said.
“Participants meet face-to-face at least twice throughout the nine-month program.”