Background
The National Farmers' Federation was established in 1979 and is the single, national voice for Australian agriculture.

It is a federation of Australian farm organisations representing approximately 120,000 farm enterprises through 29 affiliated organisations. The Federation is made up of State farm organisations, commodity councils, associates and affiliates. NFF does not have individual farmer members. Farmers contribute to their State farm organisations and the national commodity councils which fund NFF.

Under NFF's structure, State farm organisations are responsible for State issues; national commodity councils are responsible for national, commodity-specific issues, and NFF is responsible for international and national issues which affect more than one State or more than one commodity.

With agricultural products earning 21 per cent of Australia's export income, NFF represents a vital export sector. The successes achieved by NFF and our member organisations are the result of farmers working together to develop a strong national industry position.

Our aim is to create the most favourable economic environment for rural industries to operate and prosper and to maximise returns to farmers.

NFF's priorities are the broad national issues - the economy, industrial relations, transport, trade, the environment, research and development, quarantine and animal health, aboriginal affairs, and education. NFF also takes a leading role in projecting the importance of agriculture to the national economy.

Our work involves regular contact with the Federal Government and the Opposition, Parliamentary and other committees of inquiry, the Commonwealth Public Service, senior public servants, business, other industry groups, community organisations and the media. NFF has close working links with all of these groups but also recognises the need for effective communication with the whole community.

NFF is based in Canberra and is supported by a full-time secretariat.

BIOGRAPHY
Alexander ‘Jock’ Laurie
National Farmers' Federation President

Jock Laurie was elected President of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) on 17 November 2010.
                        
A fourth generation grazier born in 1959 in Walcha NSW, Mr Laurie and his wife Lyn, along with their three children Caroline, Alexander and Angus, run fine wool sheep, cross-bred lambs and cattle at their ‘Torsmond’ property near Walcha in NSW.

Previous Industry Positions:

2009-10

• NSW Farmers’ Association Executive Council

2007-09

• President NSW Farmers’ Association
• National Farmers’ Federation Board of Directors
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Executive Council
  
• Agricultural Ministerial Advisory Council
  
• Natural Resources Advisory Council
  
• Chair Rural Mental Health Network
  
• NSW Footrot Steering Committee
  
• NSW Workplace Health & Safety Strategy Review Committee

2006-07

• President NSW Farmers’ Association
  National Farmers’ Federation Board of Directors
• NSW Farmers’ Association Executive Council
• Agricultural Ministerial Advisory Council
  
• Chair Rural Mental Health Network
  
• AgStart Ministerial Advisory Board
  
• NSW Footrot Steering Committee
  
• NSW Workplace Health & Safety Strategy Review Committee
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Walcha District Council

2005-06

• President NSW Farmers’ Association
• National Farmers’ Federation Board of Directors
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Executive Council
  
• Agricultural Ministerial Advisory Council
  
• Chair Rural Mental Health Network
  
• AgStart Ministerial Advisory Board
  
• Noxious Weeds Advisory Council
  
• NSW AMAC Government Regulations Working Group
  
• NSW Footrot Steering Committee
  
• NSW Workplace Health & Safety Strategy Review Committee
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Walcha District Council

2004-05

• NSW Farmers ’ Association Board of Directors
• National Farmers’ Federation Board of Directors
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Executive Council
  
• Agricultural Ministerial Advisory Council
  
• AgStart Ministerial Advisory Board
  
• Noxious Weeds Advisory Council
  
• NSW AMAC Government Regulations Working Group
  
• NSW Footrot Steering Committee
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Walcha District Council

2003-04

• NSW Farmers’ Association Board of Directors
  
• National Farmers’ Federation Board of Directors
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Executive Council
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Occupational Health and Safety Taskforce
  
• Chair of NSW Farmers’ Industrial Association
  
• NLIS Trouble Shooting Committee
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Walcha District Council

2002-03 

• NSW Farmers’ Association Board of Directors
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Industrial Association
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Executive Council
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Joint Meat and Livestock Committee.
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Cattle Industry Committee
  
• Cattle Council of Australia - Delegate
  
• National Farmers Federation – Alternate delegate
  
• National Farmers Federation Industrial Committee
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Walcha District Council

2001-02

• NSW Farmers’ Association Board of Directors
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Executive Council
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Joint Meat & Livestock Committee
  
• NSW Farmers’ Industrial Association Executive Committee
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Cattle Industry Committee
  
• Cattle Council of Australia – Delegate
  
• NSW Footrot Steering Committee
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Walcha District Council

2000-01

• NSW Farmers’ Association Board of Directors
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Executive Council
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Joint Meat & Livestock
  Committee
  
• NSW Farmers’ Industrial Association Executive Committee
  
• NSW Farmers’ Association Cattle Industry Committee
  
• Cattle Council of Australia – Delegate
  
• NSW Footrot Steering Committee
  
• Chair NSW Farmers’ Association Walcha District Council