Independent Lab Services signs on as a Bronze Sponsor of Sandgropers in 2025

The Sandgropers are excited to announce that Independent Lab Services have joined our stable of sponsors as a Bronze Sponsor for the 2025 Tournament.

Independent Lab Services is a business run by Dr John Milton who is an Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia and directs his feed analysis & consultancy company - Independent Lab Services.

John was born in Qld and raised on a sheep and cattle property near Roma and studied Agricultural Science at Qld University. He conducted research for his PhD while teaching in the Vet School at Qld University and then became a grain grower for 3 years. Paying off the farm at 22% encouraged him to work overseas for 6 years directing a foreign-aid project. This project enhanced the capacity of a University Agricultural Faculty to service the 10 million people involved in agriculture in southern Thailand. For this work, John was made an Officer of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.

In 1990 John was appointed at the University of Western Australia to run industry funded projects to help develop the WA prime lamb industry. From 1996 to 2000 John was seconded to the WA Department of Agriculture to continue his work in the prime lamb industry while still based at UWA. At the end of this secondment, a scientific symposium was held to honour John’s contribution to the WA prime lamb industry.

John’s forte is “to make science happen”. He does this through his feed analysis and consultancy company while still maintaining an interest in research at UWA. In 2010 John was one of the 100 people named in the inaugural Roll of Honour of the Australian Sheep and Lamb Industry for his work as a researcher and innovator on the nutritional management of sheep.

Sandgropers Director, Todd Zani said “We are excited to have Independent Lab Services come on as a sponsor of the team.”

"I am really excited to be support the Sandgropers in their second year and will watch with anticipation at the 2025 event.."