CA National Beef Leaders (clockwise from top left) Timothy Mitchell, Tom Taheny, Hannah Powe, Billi Marshall, Eliza Grey, Hannah Gibb amd Samuel Martin.

Cattle Australia’s first cohort of National Beef Leaders have graduated from their 12-month training program, after being put to final test this week in how to handle a hypothetical crisis scenario facing the industry.

Seven candidates from across Australia were selected for the NBL program, for their potential to become the next generation of skilled and capable captains of industry.

They have participated in numerous training activities over the course of 2024/25, including Government engagement activities at Parliament House Canberra, a regional tour, and training in public speaking, policy formation, corporate governance, negotiating, and dealing with the media.

These new skills were put to the test at this week’s final training workshop where they were charged with developing an industry response plan to a hypothetical animal welfare crisis.

“It was great to see these seven innovative and highly capable young people come together and collaboratively work through the difficult questions that industry leaders must deal with,” CA Chief Executive Dr Chris Parker said.

“The program as a whole has been a resounding success in developing innovative leaders who bring a fresh approach to challenges. The industry should feel confident that we will have the right leaders in the pipeline to secure a prosperous and sustainable future for the grass-fed beef industry.”

Participants were also required to deliver individual presentations to the CA Board on their vision for the future of the industry and how they would implement their ideas. Their ideas included new approaches to building urban connection and participation in the agricultural supply chain, stimulating new investment in agricultural technologies, and demonstrating the beef industry’s sustainability credentials.

The 2025 National Beef Leaders were presented with their certificates of graduation at a formal dinner in Brisbane last night. They were:

• Hannah Gibb, Operations Manager, Nbryo Pty Ltd, Queensland
• Timothy Mitchell, Livestock Procurement Manager, Drury Farming Co, Queensland
• Eliza Gray, Innovation Projects Officer, Australian Agricultural Company, Queensland
• Samuel Martin, Stud Principal, Southcote Shorthorns, NSW
• Hannah Powe, NSW Genomics Territory Manager, Neogen Australasia, NSW
• Tom Taheny, Farm Manager, Naracoorte, SA
• Billi Marshall, Director, Imperial Bovine Breeding Services, WA

Calls for applications for the next round of the NBL program will open later this year. More information, including eligibility and selection criteria, is available at www.cattleaustralia.com.au