Stewart Sutherland

Born and bred into a fifth-generation Australian farming family, Stewart has been immersed in agriculture his whole life. After leaving agricultural college, he entered the seed business in 1984 and went on to establish UMS, building the company from its grassroots into a trusted supplier to rural retailers, farmers and agronomists across Australia.

Stewart’s specialist expertise lies in temperate pasture and turf seed, with a focus on deep-rooted perennials and grazing cereals. He has also managed large-scale farming operations and seed cleaning facilities, giving him a hands-on understanding of every stage of the seed production process. Stewart often says he has “pasture seed running through his veins,” and there is nothing he enjoys more than seeing a perfectly grown grass seed crop come to fruition, harvested, cleaned, and ready to be supplied to UMS’s retail and grower network.

A source of pride for Stewart is seeing Australian-bred UMS varieties not only perform across Australia but also achieve success on the other side of the world. Equally rewarding is watching the sixth and seventh generations of his family step into agriculture, ensuring that both the family legacy and the UMS story continue well into the future.

When not at work, Stewart enjoys the outdoors and is a keen water and snow skier. He also loves tennis and the thrill of off-road motorbiking.