Jack King is a member of AEGIC’s executive management team, overseeing AEGIC’s barley and oats research programs.
Based in Geelong, Victoria, Jack leverages his significant experience in the commercial sector to build meaningful projects that add value to the Australian grains industry within AEGIC.
As Barley and Oat Quality Program Manager, Jack identifies technical gaps and opportunities to be explored through research projects to advance Australian barley and oats in existing and new markets.
These projects include the AEGIC MultiMalter, a prototype device designed to speed up the adoption of new malting barley varieties, and several projects to enhance value in the WA oats industry, under the WA Government’s Processed Oats Partnership (POP).
Coming from a commercial background, Jack found the cross over into research and innovation an exciting new landscape.
Long before AEGIC, Jack jackerooed his way through school and worked in various agricultural roles before eventually spending 10 years in a senior commercial role with a major malting company.
For Jack, increasing value in the Australian grains industry is about having an impact on the whole community. He knows from firsthand experience how increasing the value of grains for Australian growers filters all the way down to the rural communities growers live in. For Jack, it’s not only the grain industry that benefits, but all the businesses that support rural populations which builds communities, industry, and innovation into the future.
Outside of work, Jack finds outlet as a “frustrated farmer”, running a modest sheep flock with his brother.