GRASSFED cattle producer representative peak council Cattle Australia has a new chairman, following elections today.

Garry Edwards takes over as board chairman from inaugural chair, David Foote, who was acknowledged for his foundational contribution to the organisation.

Garry Edwards

Mr Edwards, who has served as CA vice chairman since its establishment in December 2022, is a beef producer representing the Southern Australia Livestock Research Council zone, operating his enterprise in the Stroud region, south of Gloucester in New South Wales.

He is also the founder and major shareholder of AAM Investment Group, which oversees the development, operation and management of a portfolio of agricultural assets across Australia, with beef cattle operations in NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Mr Edwards has more than 25 years’ experience within the Australian agribusiness sector, with expertise spanning the agricultural supply chain, including livestock breeding, growing and finishing, financing of agricultural projects, implementation of precision agriculture practices, investigation and implementation of sustainability and innovation initiatives, and developing and operating integrated agricultural businesses.

He also holds a unique skill set across multiple facets of the grassfed cattle production supply chain, from production through to finishing, as well as a unique perspective of the challenges facing all grassfed producers around Australia through his involvement in the modernisation and development of livestock selling facilities throughout Victoria, NSW and QLD.

Mr Edwards thanked Mr Foote, who served as chair of the inaugural CA Board from 2022, for the leadership, exceptional industry knowledge and commitment he brought to the position in the crucial foundational stage of the new grass-fed cattle industry organisation.

“David has been instrumental in developing the foundation of Cattle Australia by heading our inaugural Board, and we thank him for his time as CA works to deliver positive outcomes on critical issues for the grass-fed beef industry in a new era of producer-led representation,” Mr Edwards said.

“Cattle Australia’s mission is to be a powerful voice for the levy-paying grassfed cattle producers of Australia, and the cattle industry will continue to benefit from David’s extensive industry knowledge and experience as a member of our Board.”

Mr Edwards said he would prioritise providing greater transparency to cattle producers on how levy funds are allocated, proactively engaging and developing appropriate positions on key environmental matters faced by the industry and agriculture as a whole, and growing the advocacy influence of CA as the industry representative body on behalf of the largest agricultural levy-paying contributor to the Australian economy.

“I thank those who have supported Cattle Australia in its foundational year, and encourage all levy-paying grassfed cattle producers to support the CA Board as we work to represent industry, lead and direct policy development and implementation, and protect the profitability, competitiveness and future of Australia’s beef industry,” Mr Edwards said.

“There is no better time to become a member of Cattle Australia and have the opportunity to proactively support what CA is doing every day for the beef cattle industry.”

Adam Coffey

Central Queensland beef producer Adam Coffey has been elected CA deputy chair.

Mr Coffey has lived and worked in most states and territories in Australia, including ten years spent in the NT and Kimberley regions working on and managing extensive beef cattle operations in the live export sector.

Mr Coffey completed an Advanced Dip. Farm Business Management at Marcus Oldham College in 2005 and became a Nuffield Scholar in 2016, studying intensification and diversification of extensive Australian beef cattle operations.

He has been keenly involved in industry representation through a variety of organisations, and has actively promoted the grassfed industry via numerous initiatives and publications.