Meet the team
Declan Patten
Director
Mr. Patten was raised on a dairy farm in Maffra, Gippsland. After graduating at the University of Melbourne with an Associates Degree in Agriculture he accepted a role at one of the largest Porcine and Livestock companies globally, Genus PLC.
Additional roles have included being the founder of LR Genes, Lightning Ridge Genetics, Genetics & Marketing Manager for Cutting Edge Genetics (USA) and Butlerview Farms (USA).
His involvement within the dairy industry has been vast being immersed within the industry from a young age and building relationships globally.
Casey Treloar
Media & Public Relations
Casey leads a double life between the farm and her full time job in the media.
Working for national network 7NEWS full time, she covers everything from daily news to the weekend weather reports.
In her spare time you can find her on the farm preparing her Finesse Genetics animals for shows around the country, breeding Ayrshires, Holsteins and Jerseys.
Emmelie Nijskens
Events Coordinator
Emmelie grew up on a dairy farm in The Netherlands and later in South West Victoria, where her parents still operate a dairy farm today.
After 10 years experience working in events across the country and a passion for agriculture, Emmelie began “Rural Reach Events” - An Events Management business dedicated to bringing a fresh perspective to agricultural and rural events.
Outside of International Dairy Week, you will find Emmelie managing Sheepvention Rural Expo in Hamilton VIC or spending time on the family farm.