Introducing the Board Members of the IRDBF
Board Member and President is Graeme Hamilton of Australia. Graeme was determined to be a dairy farmer since early childhood, following in the family footsteps. Graeme first became enthralled by red dairy cows in his teenage years, and that eager interest has never waned. Graeme has an enduring belief that greater collaboration between the various red dairy breeds is necessary, and will lead to growth opportunities for breeders. For the red breeds to prosper, individual breeders must see tangible rewards for their breeding endeavours. It is the task of the IRDBF to foster this improved cooperation.
Email: graeme@hamiltonsrun.com.au
Mikko Kemppainen of Finland was elected to the Board of Directors in February 2025. He grew up on a small family dairy farm which later came to be part of larger farm in conjunction with two other farmers. Mikko has a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture and is working on the family farm. Since 2023 he has been a delegate to Faba, and Viking Red Breed Committee.
Russell Tocker of New Zealand is a new young face to the Board from 2019. He lives on the north island of New Zealand at Tiakitahuna and runs a family farm with his brother Zac and their parents. They milk about 700 cows with about 140 being red dairy cattle.
Russell and his partner Sarah have two young children, and enjoy raising them on the property so they can share family time.
Russell's hobbies are bush walking and playing rugby. He is also on the Board of New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Society.
Email: sarah_oliver@windowslive.com
Lorenz Engelbrecht of Germany is a new face to the Board from 2023.
He was born and raised on his parents' farm in Angeln in northern Germany, near the border with Denmark. From an early age he was interested in breeding cows, especially Red Angler cows.
After Lorenz finished his education he took over from his parents on the farm in 1998, where he lives with his wife and their two children. Currently they are milking 140 cows, most of which are Angler cows.
All heifers are genomically tested. The Engelbrecht farm has two bulls in AI teams namely ALERIO and BAMBUS P.
Lorenz became a Board member for the Angler Breeding Association in 2013, and its Chairman in 2016.
Havard Melbo Tajet of Norway is a new face to the Board from 2023.