Advisors

Dr. Shanmugavelu Sithambaram (Full Time)

Dr. Shanmugavelu Sithambaram was the Deputy Director at the Strategic Livestock Research Centre of MARDI, the research institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrobased Industry (MOA). He graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine form the Agricultural University of Malaysia in 1981 and thereafter joined MARDI. He completed his M. Phil from the University of Aberdeen, UK in 1992 on Modeling and Simulation and environmental controlled housing systems. He then obtained his PhD from the University of Glasgow, UK in 2005 in the field of animal nutrition utilizing natural products. He has authored and co-authored several articles in journals and proceedings. His current interest involves the use of natural plant products in ruminant production. Dr Shan will be in charge of Data Analysis so that all data from GEA Robotics are analyzed
to ensure optimal farm operation

Michael A Creek – Cow & Ventilation Specialist (Construction Stage)

Michael A Creek has over 20 years of working experience as animal expertise with experience in managing herd production and genetic level as well in cow comfort where his expertise includes designing cow cooling system in hot humid conditions.

He has held various roles in his 35 years in the dairy industry. From sales of barns milking equipment’s, to managing cow genetics and embryos to cow comfort management especially in humid countries.

He is currently working with GEA as their International Market Support Manager. He provides support to the company regarding barn equipment, manure equipment and cow comfort. He helps to develop marketing plans to each market area including support and training on installation and also maintenance of the equipment. Mike is specialized in Heat Stress/Cooling cow. He had developed working systems in Turkey, Brazil, Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Argentina, Mexico and South Africa.

SaiKris has decided to get Mike on board considering SaiKris will be purchasing major equipment including the milking robots from the GEA, thus, having Mike around to supervise would be an added advantage due to his immense knowledge. He will be the Cow & Ventilation Specialist for our farm to ensure our business sustainability in this challenging industry.

Steve Sutherland – Proposed Animal Nutritionist Advisor (Part Time)

Steve Sutherland is currently a Consultant in Southern Livestock Pty Ltd. Southern Livestock Nutrition provides ruminant nutrition and feed resource consultancy to clients in Australia and South East Asia. During the last 12 months, his main activity has been in Sabah (East Malaysia), advising on producing feeds based on oil palm fronds, and feed lotting locally bred Brahman cattle. His scope of activity also covers feed mill design, and feedlot design.

Prior to that, he successfully completed a 3-year project in Brunei, sub-contracted to AGWEST, surveying feed resources and supporting laboratory development. In addition, he undertook short term assignments within the region, mainly covering beef feedlot and breeding projects in South East Asia. Besides Malaysia and Brunei, he has undertaken assignments in Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, and Cambodia, for dairy, beef and goat projects within the last five years.

Steve Sutherland had also taught at nutrition workshops for visiting African agriculturalists in Western Australia. His main clients have been MLA (Meat and Livestock Australia), AGWEST (for state government of Western Australia), SawitKinabalu (Sabah) and various Australian livestock exporters. His unparalleled experience and expertise are an asset to discerning industry clients, supported by his excellent communication skills, and his mastery of the Indonesian/Malay languages.