He is only the second Wimmera farmer to take on the top job, after Warracknabeal’s Miles Bourke was the federation’s inaugural president from 1979 to 1982. 

Mr Jochinke said the first few days of his new role had been a whirlwind. 

“My phone has gone flat about three times from people texting and emailing me,” he said. “A lot of it has been meet and greet stuff, but the sooner we get over this period, the sooner I can get to work, which is what I’m looking forward to.”

Mr Jochinke said telecommunications and local government rates were two issues that needed to be addressed, especially in the Wimmera.

“With telecommunications, we are trying to tighten up avenues for blackspot funding,” he said. “A lot of Victoria needs help and we need to make sure when a tower does go up, the agreement is in the right format and we can get more users out of that tower, rather than three towers going up in the one spot.

“Shire rates is something I feel strongly about because farmers are still carrying a huge burden of the collection, compared with businesses.

“We need to look at the sustainability of local government going forward and ensure there are good funding mechanisms in place so farmers aren’t carrying the heaviest burden.”

Mr Jochinke said other issues that needed to be addressed was the Country Fire Authority and dairy crises.

“We need to make sure we get some clear outcomes and ensure our volunteers are looked after,” he said.

“Longer term issues I am passionate about include native vegetation and getting a workable legislation so farmers can manage native vegetation and have sensible offsets.”

Mr Jochinke said the issues he felt strongly about were already ones the federation was looking into. 

“Anyone who knows me says I’m passionate about the industry,” he said.

“But that’s what will make this job so much more enjoyable.

“I’ve been involved in the federation for a long time and I understand what the role entails, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“Some days will be better than others but as long as we push agriculture in the right direction, that’s the main thing.”

Mr Jochinke acknowledged the hard work outgoing president Peter Tuohey had put in over the past four years.

“Peter has done a fantastic job at developing the relationship between government and industry,” he said.

“He is a fair dinkum farmer and I appreciate what he’s done for the organisation.”