Beef Central publishes an occasional summary of appointments, departures and achievements occurring across the red meat and livestock supply chain. Send details for entries to admin@beefcentral.com

• New feedlot consultancy for Andrew Talbot
• MLA’s Canada staff appointment
• Allison takes board seat, chairmanship with WA’s Craig Mostyn Group
• McKillop completes RMAC chairmanship; new appointment close
• Changes ahead for AMPC board
• New chair for agri-lender Rabobank
• New recruit for Agricultural Appointments Team
• Returning chief vet for NT

New feedlot consultancy path for Andrew Talbot

In a clear reflection of the bullish expansion and development mood evident in the grainfed industry at present, widely respected feedlot operations and grainfed business development manager Andrew Talbot has established his own consultancy business.

The move comes following Mr Talbot’s recent departure from his former role as general manager of Elders’ Killara feedlot near Quirindi in NSW. Elders sold the business to Australian Meat Group for $196 million in March.

AG Talbot Feedlot Consultancy Services will be based out of Quirindi, but will have a footprint across all lotfeeding areas of Australia. The new business has hit the ground running through client-initiated projects and dozens of early inquiries.

Mr Talbot spent 24 years at Killara, starting in 2002. He was there ever since, apart from a three-year ‘secondment’ period from 2011 setting up Paraway’s marketing supply chain. Originally Killara’s livestock manager looking after backgrounding, procurement and sales, he became general manager in 2016 when Tony Fitzgerald moved to Whyalla. He later became feedlot divisional CEO within the Elders Group.

Almost immediately after his departure from Killara in July, Mr Talbot was approached to take on projects in the lotfeeding sector, leading to a decision to embrace consultancy to fill a clear gap in the market.

“With the growth and development occurring within the feedlot sector, it became evident very quickly that there was a real need for such a business,” Mr Talbot told Beef Central.

He suspects the new service will engage with three potential client groups:

• New entrants and investors into the feedlot sector with no previous experience, assisting with inspecting and analysing assets, and being involved for the purchaser in the acquisition
• Setting up operational plans to ensure compliance with NFAS and other regulatory bodies, and assistance in early-stage operations management to get businesses on their feet in terms of QA, supply chains and other requirements
• Evaluating expansion prospects, planning and execution.

Andrew Talbot

One of Mr Talbot’s initial clients is Conargo feedlot near Deniliquin NSW, recently bought by the Shippen family as part of the SFS portfolio acquired from the Bell Group. Conargo currently operates at 12,500 head, and he will help the Shippen family (son Will will manage the feedlot), transition into feedlot operations. The Shippens also have plans down the track to explore both cattle feeding expansion, and the introduction and lamb lotfeeding at the site, as part of their overall business plan.

Other projects already engaged include groups that already have feedlot operations, to carry out performance and asset reviews, mostly around efficiency and operations. One client manages extensive offshore investments in the Australian industry, looking for specialist advice on the feedlot sector and potential investment targets.

Having gone through similar large upgrades at Killara, Mr Talbot will also provide advice and guidance on establishing and upgrading feedlot infrastructure, including grain handling and milling facilities, permanent shedding and other features. While Killara’s own shed structure development is still work in progress, there was cover provided for 4000 head by the time Mr Talbot left the business a few months ago.

Managing critical incidents in the feedlot industry, like silo collapses, hay fires or cottonseed incidents also required clear understanding – and his own experience in such episodes at Killara provided a foundation for helping others, Mr Talbot said.

“They’re things you can really only learn to manage on the job,” he said.

Mr Talbot has a strong industry-facing presence, and has served as director on the board of the Australian Lot Feeders Association for the past five years.

For those interested in engaging with his new consultancy, Mr Talbot’s Linkedin page can be accessed here.

MLA’s Canada staff appointment

Meat & Livestock Australia has recognised the growing importance of Canada as an export destination for Australian beef and lamb with the appointment of David Dupuy as Toronto-based Business Development Manager. Canada continues to shine as an emerging market for Australian export beef. Calendar year to date, it has taken 36,200t of Australian beef, up almost 6000t year-on-year.

Mr Dupuy works as part of a North America regional MLA team led by Market Development Manager Andy Groneman, based in the US. The boots-on-the-ground presence reflects MLA’s commitment to supporting a market that presents strong opportunities for Australian exporters.

Mr Dupuy has more than 20 years of business development experience in the retail and food service sectors of the food Industry, with international experience in Europe and the US. He was previously director (trade) for agrifood and wine with Austrade in Canada and market development strategist with Food & Beverage Canada.

MLA has also taken steps to better engage French-speaking Canadian customers through the launch of a Canadian French edition of the Handbook of Australian Meat. The initiative addresses a longstanding gap in Quebec and other French-speaking regions to ensure butchers and chefs have access to technical information tailored specifically to their market and language needs.

McKillop completes RMAC chairmanship; new appointment close

Agribusiness identity John McKillop completed his six-year maximum term as chairman of the Red Meat Advisory Council last Wednesday.

Mr McKillop continues to serve on a number of agriculture related boards, including chairing asparagopsis seaweed methane-reducing feed additive producer Sea Forest, the Regional Livestock Exchanges saleyards network, and UK-owned Australian cropping and livestock producer Manor Estates. Last month he also joined the board and of the Australian Forest Products Association. He assumes the independent chairmanship of AFPA this month.

RMAC launched a recruitment process back in July to find the next RMAC chair. Beef Central understands a decision is close.

Allison takes board seat, chairmanship with WA’s Craig Mostyn Group

Western Australian agribusiness group Craig Mostyn has announced that former Elders managing director and chief executive officer Mark Allison has joined the Craig Mostyn board. As part of a structured board succession plan, Mr Allison will replace current chairman Neil Kearney in that role when Mr Kearney retires in December.

Established in 1923, Craig Mostyn is a diversified food and agribusiness company that owns and operates businesses across key protein value chains:

• V&V Walsh produces beef, lamb and mutton at its abattoir and processing facility in Bunbury. Beef and lamb is sold wholesale to domestic and international markets, and to retailers under the Amelia Park brand.
• Linley Valley Pork produces pork from its own and third party pig suppliers and operates the State’s largest pig abattoir and processing facility in Wooroloo. Pork is sold wholesale and to retailers under the Linley Valley Pork brand. It is a large supplier of fresh pork to Singapore.
• Talloman operates a rendering facility in Hazelmere, WA, which converts inedible animal by-products into raw materials such as tallow for use in pet food, livestock feed, oleochemical and renewable energy industries.
• Craig Mostyn Protein Trading trades animal, marine and plant protein products to domestic and overseas customers.

Mark Allison

Mr Allison recently finished with Elders in board and operations management roles he has held since 2014.

Current CMG chair Neil Kearney said Mr Allison’s knowledge of the Australian agribusiness landscape and his track record of performance at the companies he served were important factors in his selection for the board.

“Mark has been a leading figure in Australian agribusiness for decades, and his knowledge, passion and expertise will be an important asset for Craig Mostyn as it embraces its second century of operations,” Mr Kearney said.

“Craig Mostyn is at an interesting point in its current lifecycle. There are global challenges we need to confront, such as geopolitical trade restrictions and their price impacts, but also immense opportunities to supply WA protein to an expanding and more affluent consumer base,” Mr Allison said.

CMG board member and Mostyn family representative, Andrew Mostyn, paid tribute to Mr Kearney’s role as company chairman for the past five years and board member for the past eight years.

Message from Elders Group’s new CEO

Also last week, Mr Allison’s replacement as Elders new chief executive officer René Dedoncker issued a brief statement.

Rene Dedoncker, Elders chief executive officer

“I am honoured to officially begin my tenure with Elders,” Mr Dedoncker said. “Elders has built an extraordinary legacy, thanks to the talented team and the strong leadership of Mark Allison.

“My first priority is to spend time with our people, customers and partners across the country, listen to their perspectives and build a clear understanding of where we can have the greatest impact. I am looking forward to working closely with the Elders Board and leadership team to build on Elders’ foundations and position us strongly for the future.”

Changes ahead for AMPC board

There will be changes ahead later this year for the board of the Australian Meat Processor Corporation, as the current chair and a number of board members reach their nine-year maximum term.

Chair Melissa Fletcher from Fletcher International will stand down, having completed nine years on the board, meaning a new AMPC chair will be elected. Beef Central understands another four or five boardmembers on the nine-person board will also finish their terms, meaning some transition is inevitable. We’ll publish the new look-board in this column when complete.

AMPC is the specialist research and development provider for Australian red meat processors, providing R&D and extension services that improve the sustainability and efficiency of the red meat processing industry.

New chair for agri-lender Rabobank

Specialist agri-lender Rabobank Australia has appointed Carolyn Colley as the bank’s new board chair. She succeeds James Fazzino, who is stepping down after more than six years on the board.

Ms Colley has been a member of the Rabobank Australia board since early last year, and brings more than 30 years’ executive and non-executive experience in financial services, technology and digital innovation to the position.

Rabobank managing board member Wholesale & Rural Els Kamphof said Ms Colley’s extensive leadership experience spanning financial services, technology, product development and innovation made her an ideal successor to Mr Fazzino in board renewal for Rabobank’s growing Australian business.

“Carolyn’s exceptional understanding of the financial services marketplace, and her expertise in technology strategy and digital transformation, makes her ideally placed to lead the board as Rabobank supports our Australian clients’ future growth,” Ms Kamphof said.

“Carolyn brings deep experience across audit, risk, financial and product governance in complex regulated environments. Added to this, Carolyn has a strong affinity with, and commitment to, Australia’s food and agri sector.”

New recruit for Agricultural Appointments Team

Damien Carpenter recently joined specialist agricultural recruitment firm, Agricultural Appointments. Mr Carpenter brings 25 years of hands-on farming experience and more than 20 years in the dairy industry, with expertise spanning dairy and beef production, seed, agronomy and horticulture. Having owned and managed farming enterprises, led large agricultural teams and developed dairy-beef supply chains, he understands farm profitability, people, operations and the broader agribusiness landscape.

In his new role with Agricultural Appointments, he combines practical industry experience, commercial skills and an extensive agricultural network to connect businesses with people who understand the industry and can make a genuine contribution.

Returning chief vet for NT

The Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has appointed Dr Sue Fitzpatrick as the NT’s new Chief Veterinary Officer. Dr Fitzpatrick returns to the position after previously serving as CVO from 2019 to 2023. With qualifications in veterinary science and veterinary public health management, she brings extensive experience in animal health, biosecurity, policy development and emergency animal disease preparedness.

Dr Fitzpatrick is currently leading the Northern Territory’s preparedness efforts for H5 bird flu, helping ensure Territory industries and communities remain well positioned to respond to emerging biosecurity risks.

The Chief Veterinary Officer is a critical leadership role for the Territory’s livestock industries, with responsibility for overseeing animal health and welfare, managing biosecurity and emergency animal disease detections, and representing the Northern Territory within Australia’s national biosecurity system.

“Dr Fitzpatrick’s return as CVO comes at an important time as we continue to strengthen the Territory’s biosecurity systems, prepare for emerging disease threats and invest in new compliance and investigative capabilities,” Department of Agriculture and Fisheries chief executive Amelia Vellar said.

In her new role Dr Fitzpatrick will also oversee the development of the new Livestock Investigations and Compliance Unit, with recently announced funding of $1 million per annum from 1 July 2026. The new unit will strengthen livestock compliance and investigative capabilities across the Territory.