Emerging leaders from across Australia’s grassfed beef industry are encouraged to apply for the next intake of Cattle Australia’s flagship National Beef Leaders program, with applications opening on Monday, 27 July 2026.
Designed for professionals aged 21 to 35, the National Beef Leaders program equips participants with the skills, knowledge and networks needed to become influential leaders and representatives for the Australian beef industry.
The program focuses on leadership development, governance, policy, media engagement and industry representation, while providing direct access to key decision makers across government, industry and the agricultural sector.
Cattle Australia Chair, Garry Edwards said the program has become one of the industry’s most important investments in developing the next generation of leaders.
“Now more than ever, the future of Australia’s grassfed beef industry depends on strong, capable leaders who are prepared to represent producers and help shape the direction of our sector,” Mr Edwards said.
“The National Beef Leaders program gives participants both practical experience and the skills, confidence and pathways to step into leadership roles, while building lifelong networks across the industry.
“Whether you’re working on-farm, in agribusiness, research, extension or industry representation, if you’re passionate about the future of Australian beef and ready to take the next step in your leadership career, we encourage you to apply.
“We’ve seen graduates go on to make significant contributions to the industry through leadership positions, policy development and industry representation, and we look forward to welcoming the next cohort.”
The 2026-27 program will commence on 22-23 October 2026 at Cattle Australia’s annual Cattle Connect event in Wagga Wagga NSW. Participants will take part in face-to-face leadership workshops, professional development sessions and engagement with industry leaders from Cattle Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, government and the broader industry.
The program will also include a week in Canberra in early 2027, aligned with a parliamentary sitting period. This will give participants direct exposure to the political and policy environment, as well as opportunities to engage with parliamentarians, government representatives and industry decision-makers.
Applications close 16 August 2026, with successful applicants to be announced in October.
To apply or learn more about the National Beef Leaders program, visit https://cattleaustralia.com.
About the Cattle Australia National Beef Leaders program
The National Beef Leaders program is Cattle Australia’s flagship leadership development initiative, providing emerging leaders with practical skills, and industry knowledge and representation experience to help strengthen the future of Australia’s beef industry. The program focuses on leadership development, governance, policy, media engagement and industry representation opportunities.
Source: Cattle Australia
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