This year’s cohort of the National Beef Leaders program, with CA’s Will Evans and Garry Edwards. Click on image for a larger view

CATTLE Australia has today announced the eight young producers and industry professionals selected for its 2026-27 National Beef Leaders program.

The 2026-27 cohort was announced at Cattle Connect in Wagga Wagga, NSW, giving participants an early chance to meet producers, industry leaders and decision makers from across the grassfed beef sector.

Drawn from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, the cohort spans commercial cattle operations, seedstock genetics, university research, animal health, livestock technology, agricultural media and public policy, bringing first-hand experience from right across the grassfed beef supply chain.

The National Beef Leaders program is Cattle Australia’s flagship leadership initiative for people aged 21 to 35. Over the coming year, participants will build skills in governance, policy, media engagement and industry representation, and gain direct access to decision-makers across government, industry and agriculture.

Cattle Australia Chair Garry Edwards said the strength of this year’s group showed the industry’s next generation was ready to step up.

“Nobody hands the grassfed industry its future. We have to earn it, and that means building people who can stand up and make our case in Canberra, in the media and in the paddock,” Mr Edwards said.

“This group already has runs on the board. Between them they are managing 1,100 Angus cows, measuring genetic progress at Palgrove, researching precision livestock technology and reaching 32,000 people online about how we produce beef.

“Some grew up on country their families have worked for generations. Others found agriculture at a city high school or through the agriculture show circuit. That is exactly the mix we want. The people leading this industry should reflect where it is going, not just where it has been.

“Producers fund this organisation, and they deserve representatives who understand the business from the ground up. This cohort does.”

Meet the leaders

Lauren Galloway (Qld) works remotely in public policy for a Commonwealth agency while living on a commercial cattle and crop station north of Dingo with her husband. Her family recently celebrated 50 years of Braford breeding. Lauren brings a legal, economic and policy background and is keen to learn more about industry affairs and representation.

Mitchell Portbury (Qld) works in Livestock Feeding Solutions at DOM Distribution, where he helped build the automated livestock feeding division from its early days. Working closely with producers across Queensland has given him practical insight into technology adoption, on-farm efficiency and the challenges facing the grassfed sector.

Adrianna Pott (Qld) is the South West Queensland representative for Zoetis, based in Mundubbera. Raised on her family’s grassfed beef property, she remains actively involved in breeding cattle for the heavy feeder market. She is a member of the AgForce Young Producer Council and is committed to keeping producers productive and profitable.

Sammy Mitton (Qld) is Office Manager at Gibson Livestock, an organic beef operation in Queensland. Her career spans livestock agencies, saleyards and agricultural technology. She is passionate about strengthening the connection between grassroots producers and the organisations that represent them.

Alex McLaughlin (NSW) is Social and Content Marketing Coordinator at AuctionsPlus, after more than two years as a journalist with the platform. A fifth-generation member of the grassfed cattle industry, she grew up on a mixed farming operation in Western NSW and has worked as a stationhand in North West Queensland. She is committed to encouraging young people and women into the sector.

Jack Mayhew (NSW) is a PhD candidate and research assistant at the University of Sydney, investigating how precision livestock technologies can improve decision-making and productivity in beef production. A suburban student who found agriculture through the show circuit, he is a Board Member of the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association, an MLA Red Meat Ambassador and coach of the University of Sydney Intercollegiate Meat Judging Team.

Ella Barney (NSW) is a Business and Genetics Analyst at Palgrove, evaluating herd productivity, growth and genetic progress. After discovering agriculture at high school in Sydney, she completed a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business at the University of New England and has worked across farm operations, livestock research and advisory roles.

Will Sullivan (Vic) manages 1,100 Angus cows across three properties in Western Victoria for Millwood Pastoral Group. Since 2024 he has introduced individual animal recording, genomic heifer selection and improved grazing management, lifting stocking rates. He holds a producer seat on the Southern Livestock Research Council, is a former MLA Red Meat Ambassador and reaches 32,000 people through his on-farm social media.

Source: Cattle Australia