Producer realisation that WAMMCO has an increasing role to play in shaping the future of WA’s prime lamb and mutton industry, has brought unprecedented competition from four candidates for a vacancy on the board of the co-operative.

The nominees include retiring director Tony Boyle of York who has been a strong advocate of WAMMCO over the past four years, and is seeking a second term, WA meat scientist, Dr Kelly Manton-Pearce who is also a lamb producer and farmer at Yealering, Bradley Ipsen of Manjimup, a leading State and national producer and marketer of prime lamb, vegetables and fruit, and Bill O’Keefe a keen 'grass roots' commercial lamb producer and farmer at Gnowangerup.

Personal details and comments by each candidate are included with the ballot papers.

WAMMCO chairman Dawson Bradford said he was delighted that all four candidates were of the highest calibre, with impressive corporate and management credentials.

"This is the first four-candidate election for a seat on the board since the Co-operative was formed in 1999. All nominees are highly accomplished producers of prime lamb as well as important contributors to their industry in areas ranging from research, marketing, processing and business," Mr Bradford said.

"They recognise that in WAMMCO, they have a rare organisation that is owned and controlled by producers with a unique capacity to promote their interests into the future."

Ballot papers for the election were mailed to members by WAMMCO this week and completed ballots must be returned by Thursday, October 16, 2014. The result will be announced at WAMMCO's AGM in Perth on Wednesday, October 22.