Board Structure

Capgrains Cooperative Board comprises six members who are elected by general members of Capgrains and the Manager appointed by the Board. Capgrains' board members serve a two year term with three directors up for re-election every year.

Jo Prior

Jo Prior is the current Chairman of Capgrains. She was elected to this position in November 2007. Jo has been a member of the Capgrains' Board of Directors since 2004.

Jo and her husband, Richard, began grain farming in the Wowan/Dululu district in 1974. Since that time they have increased their holdings and have diversified into irrigation, producing lucerne hay in conjunction with a family member. They also run a Santa breeding herd, successfully selling weaners into the feedlot and restockers market. They are contemplating a more intensive operation in the future.

During their time in Wowan, Richard and Jo raised four children who, finally, have all become independent. Jo has been an active partner in their business, involved in field work, marketing and management as well as being active in the community in voluntary executive positions. Jo has also completed contracts as a Census Group Leader and as a project officer for a rural health project.

To complement Jo's work skills which she has developed over the years, she has recently completed a degree in Business Administration through the Central Queensland University, majoring in Finance and Accounting and Management. These studies in the area of economics, human resources, commercial law, accounting, business finance and management have given her a deeper understanding of business and the demands placed on management in the current environment.

Jo is confident she can apply her knowledge and skills as a member of the Board to enable Capgrains to continue as a viable cooperative. Her vision is for the Capgrains Co-operative to be able to meet the current needs of members, that is, competitive prices and provision of efficient logistic management while becoming a growth organisation in order to be sustainable so that further benefits for members can be achieved. 

Jeff Roberts

Jeff is the current Managing Director of Capgrains Cooperative.

Jeff commenced work at Capgrains in 1999 as a Purchasing Officer and was appointed Purchasing Manager in August 2000.

Jeff has lived in Rockhampton all his life and attended Rockhampton High School where he completed year 12.

Before starting at Capgrains, Jeff was employed at Blackwood Hodge / Marubeni for 16 years where he worked in the parts department, and Milne Bros in Rockhampton.

Jeff is married and has a son. He is currently studying at CQU where he is completing a degree in Bachelor of Business. Top

Ross Bate

Ross grew up in the Warwick and Goondiwindi districts and was educated at Scots College and Longreach Pastoral College.

After leaving college, Ross did some jackaroo work in the Longreach area and Katherine in the Northern Territory. Ross also found employment in the mining industry in the Pilbera area of Western Australia.

In 1971 he returned to Central Queensland to operate a saphire mining operation in partnership with a college mate at Rubyvale.

In 1976 Ross and Jenny purchased "Bendee" in the Gindie district south of Emerald.

The family partnership of sons Scott, Andrew and his wife Jocie, farm 4,000 ha for grain and run a breeder herd of 700 santa charolais females of which the bullock portion are fattened in the Bendee feedlot for the Jap market.

Ross has been on the board of The Grains Policy Committee of QGGA, and an active member of Agforce.

He realises that the rural sector faces huge challenges and his vision for Capgrains is to maintain a competitive edge for CQ farmers by keeping their input supplies at a reasonable level. Ross was elected as a director in November 2005. 

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Don Sampson

Don was elected to the board of Capgrains in November 2006.

He grew up on a farm at Kyancutta South Australia, and was educated at the Wudinna Area School on the Eyre Peninsula.

While farming at Kyancutta, Don was involved in grain growing, cattle and sheep farming along with a piggery.

In 1984, Don, his wife Iola and four children moved to "The Glen" at Capella in Central Queensland, where he and his second son Kevin are grain growers and they look to do things in ways that give the best results. Top

Peter Durkin

Peter was elected as a Director of Capgrains in 2007.

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Dion Sampson

Dion was elected as a Director of Capgrains in 2007.

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Tom Wagner

Tom was elected as a Director of Capgrains in 2007.

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