Agronomists

Gerard O’Brien (0419 801 485)

Gerard O’Brien obtained an Applied Science (Ag) Degree from VCAH Dookie in 1990. He has worked on several broadacre mixed farms in the Western District before commencing as an Agronomist firstly in Ballarat in 1998 and then later at Skipton. He commenced employment at the inception of Western AG and continues to provide agronomic services to a loyal client base. He has a keen personal interest in pastures and livestock, as well as his passion for broadacre crops.

Ashley Perkins (0458 822 066)

Ashley Perkins has over 20 years experience as an agronomist. Ashley started at Jeparit in the Southern Mallee in 1990, before moving to Inverleigh in the Western District in 1997. He has vast experience with raised bed and broadacre cropping, pasture renovation including lucerne in the Western District. He lives at Bannockburn with his wife and two children.

Tim Hofmaier (0488 298 222)

Tim Hofmaier works as an Agronomist at the Western AG Horsham branch. He has a Diploma of Applied Science (Ag) and has 10 years experience in the agricultural sector. He started his career in Naracoorte, before moving back to further his knowledge in broadacre cropping in the Wimmera. Tim currently looks after a client base throughout the Victorian Wimmera and Mallee regions and particularly enjoys working with farmers on a day to day basis.

James Jess (0419 801 650)

James Jess completed a Bachelor of Science (Ag) at Melbourne University (Dookie) before commencing with the Birchip Cropping Group (BCG). Over three years, as a technical officer and field agronomist, James conducted field trials involving barley agronomy, resistance management, nitrogen and fungicide management, as well as various trials in precision agriculture.  James has been a Western Ag Agronomist since August 2009 working in the Skipton, Derrinallum, Streatham, Cressy and Bannockburn areas.

Brad McLean (0438 976 557)

Brad McLean was raised on a property near Narrandera in NSW where he had been involved with his father’s harvesting and windrowing business operating throughout the Riverina. He lived and worked in Coleambally in an Irrigation business before studying Agriculture at the University of Melbourne, Dookie College campus from 2003-2006. He has a Bachelor Degree of Agriculture and began work with Western AG in early 2008. He provides agronomic services to clients in the Glenthompson, Willaura and Streatham areas.

Michaela Alexander (0428 976 555)

Michaela Alexander originates from Ballarat and has a Bachelor of Science (Agronomy) from Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga NSW. She previously worked on the North Queensland coast as an extension officer in the Sugar Industry running trials and industry meetings. Prior to starting with Western AG as an Agronomist at Derrinallum, she worked in merchandise / agronomy in the Wimmera.

Aaron Starick (0488 120 033)

Aaron Starick began his career in Horsham with Heinrich Merchandise and has worked in the Agricultural Industry for the past 11 Years. Aaron started in a merchandise role with Western AG, but is now spending part of his time providing agronomic services to a growing client base.