However, long-serving board member Steve Tilbrook has decided not to seek re-election, citing frustration at the politics and lack of commercial focus attributed to the CBH elections.

Katanning grower Peter Rundle has nominated in District 4 and will base his campaign on corporatisation as a matter of urgency.

Former CBH director and current Grains Research and Development Corporation director, Colin Butcher, has also decided to run against Mr Fuchsbichler in District 3.

Hyden grower and CBH Growers Advisory Council member, Donna Lynch, will also campaign for the board in District 3 while CBH Growers Advisory Chairman Andy Duncan has also nominated for District 4.

Another former board director David Adams, Cranbrook, will also compete against Mr Badger in District 4.

Corrigin grower Des Hickey said he had 30 years experience in agriculture and was considering his nomination for the CBH board in District 3, but would not confirm if he had made a final decision.

Under the new electoral boundaries, Mr Tilbrook was eligible to nominate for any of the three Districts where elections are being held this year.

However, he said it had been a “traumatic year”, and was disappointed the change of electoral dimensions had left him without a board seat.

Mr Tilbrook has been on the CBH board for almost a decade and is a member of its Remuneration and Nomination Committee.

He is also a highly regarded and active member of the South East Premium Wheatgrowers Association (SEPWA) and the current chairman of the Western Malting Barley Council.

Mr Tilbrook said his chances of winning a seat in another zone were “not that high”.

“It would have been nice to go for another term, but nine to 12 years is enough for any director of a company,” Mr Tilbrook said.

“I hope they keep this election on professional, commercial grounds, rather than political grounds.”