WHAT began as a rugged camp on Mullaley’s Liverpool Plains in the 1860s has since evolved into an innovative value-add agribusiness, leveraging a pioneering direct export model.
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Jacqui Donoghue and husband Chris began their farming days growing wheat, sunflowers and sorghum, before turning to the farming and health benefits of linseed.
They now produce and export a range of value-add produce featuring their nutritious linseed crop, from breakfast cereal boosters to linseed biscuits.
Lateral business thinking, a strong desire to connect with customers and a healthy appetite for diverse cultures are the key ingredients in Lively Linseed’s success in sourcing direct export relationships, all enhanced by Mrs Donoghue’s self-taught Mandarin literacy.
The business now enjoys thriving export sales in boutique supermarkets in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan, and is exploring opportunities in India.
And it’s for this reason that Mrs Donoghue has been selected to star in the 2018 National Australia Bank (NAB) Agribusiness calendar.
Mrs Donoghue, whose bank manager at NAB Gunnedah nominated her to participate, is one of only 12 producers across the country to be selected.
“Its focus is on exporters,” she said.
“Apparently there were 200 applications and 12 got in the calendar.”
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Mrs Donoghue, who will feature in the month of January, was joined by the other calendar stars for the official launch in Melbourne.
“I think from NAB’s point of view, it’s more about saying we love you guys, we’re happy to fund what you do and happy to take risks, going on the ride with you.
“It was really interesting to meet the other participants.”
