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

• AA Co senior ops manager moves on
• Wedding bells for Beef Central’s Eric Barker
• Key staff appointments at Wagyu Association
• Cibo departure
• Rabobank’s new Queensland state manager
• Meat Importers Council of America appoints executive
• New marketing role with genetics service provider
• Woolworths’ new senior management lineup
• Agribusiness analyst joins Meridian Agriculture
• Young butcher shines
• Six future leaders chosen for the Georgina Pastoral Future NTCA Program

AA Co senior ops manager moves on

Australian Agricultural Co’s executive general manager of pastoral operations, Michael Johnson has left the company, effective immediately.

Michael Johnson

Having joined the company in 2010, Mr Johnson progressed through a number of operations and senior roles.

“He made a great contribution to the business, including leading hundreds of employees as a station manager and executive, and playing a key role in embedding a range of productivity and supply chain initiatives,” chief executive David Harris told beef Central.

AA Co said Mr Johnson was leaving the company to focus on the next stage of his career.

AA Co’s executive general manager of supply chain operations, Andrew Simmonds, will assume responsibility for Pastoral Operations in addition to his current portfolio, while a process is initiated to appoint a replacement for Michael as GM pastoral operations.

Wedding bells for Beef Central’s Eric Barker

Eric Barker

Beef Central’s gun young reporter Eric Barker ties the knot tomorrow as he marries fiancée Kemii Maguire on the Gold Coast.

Kemii is also a journalist, hosting the breakfast/morning segment on ABC radio Southern Queensland. The couple met while they were both working in Mt Isa, and are now settled in Toowoomba. The happy couple will be surrounded by family and friends from western Queensland, Kemii’s original home on the Gold Coast, and Toowoomba.

On behalf of all our readers and the Beef, Sheep and Grain Central teams, we wish Eric and Kemii all the very best for their future life together.

Key staff appointments at Wagyu Association

The Australian Wagyu Association has made several key staff appointments.

Matias Suarez

Geneticist Matias Suarez has taken up the newly created role as AWA’s Chief Operating Officer.

Mr Suarez has great depth of industry experience, most recently as breeding and genetics manager with the Australian Agricultural Co, where he worked from 2019 to the end of 2024, overseeing AA Co’s genetics team and delivery of breeding program services and operations across multiple sites.

Prior to working with AA Co, he had an extensive background of experience and capability including undergraduate Bachelor of Vet Science and Masters in Agriculture, followed by a post-graduate Masters in Science by research in Quantitative Genetics with the University of New England and AGBU.

In addition to Mr Suarez’s deep industry experience with Wagyu and research expertise in quantitative genetics, he also worked five years with ABRI, employed as a beef geneticist, responsible for client operations within ABRI across several breeds, including consultancies with Australian and International clients, running BreedPlan analysis, diagnostic reports and results provision.

Earlier he also worked as technical services manager with Zoetis, one of AWA’s genetic service providers, providing technical expertise, training and support for the Zoetis’ (formerly Pfizer) genomics technology products.

In Matias’s role as Chief Operating Officer with AWA, he will be applying all of his technical knowledge of quantitative genetics and databasing, with his direct Wagyu and genomic industry experience.

Mr Suarez’ arrival at AWA follows the recent departure of Carel Teseling, who worked as AWA’s technical services manager since 2015, before moving to Angus Australia as chief operating officer in February.

Diana Woods

Also joining AWA this month is acting communications & marketing manager Diana Woods. Diana has started initially with the AWA in a maternity leave role as Communication and Marketing Manager.

AWA CEO Matt McDonagh said Ms Woods brought an outstanding background and industry understanding to the AWA.  “Although this is a maternity-leave role, we are looking to build our capability to promote and deliver our services to Wagyu breeders for the future,” he said.

Ms Woods has 20 years experience working within the beef industry. After completing a Bachelor of Economics with a Marketing major at the University of Sydney, she started with BreedPlan at ABRI before taking on the role of executive officer for the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society.

For the past ten years, she has worked with Angus Australia where she was marketing and communications manager, overseeing the significant growth in the marketing and communications activities the breed association.

She and her family run commercial Angus and superfine Merinos on their property located just east of Uralla in the New England region of NSW.

Cibo departure

Alastair Rayner has left his extension and education role with satellite-based pasture monitoring service Cibo Labs following a recent business restructure. For the past three years, Mr Rayner led the company’s national extension and engagement programs, working with producers, advisors and industry groups to support the adoption of digital pasture management tools.

During his time at Cibo Labs, he was instrumental in delivering initiatives such as the Grazing for Growth workshops, and in building producer confidence in platforms like the Australian Feedbase Monitor and PastureKey. His work focused on translating satellite and feedbase data into practical, decision-ready information for grazing businesses across Australia.

Mr Rayner will continue his consulting business, RaynerAg, and remains active in the livestock industry through his ongoing genetics columns for Beef Central, his role as a councillor with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, and his engagement as a cattle judge at major shows. He is also involved in several producer-focused extension and training initiatives, with a continued focus on improving productivity, sustainability, and on-farm decision-making.

Woolworths new senior management lineup

There’s been some significant changes at the top in management ranks for national supermarket retailer Woolworths’ food division. The changes will allow a greater focus on the areas that have the most impact for customers, Woolworths told shareholders.

Annette Karantoni has been appointed managing director of Woolworths Retail, reporting to Amanda Bardwell, Woolworths Group CEO and Managing Director, Australian Food. Woolworths Retail brings together key components of the Australian retail business including Woolworths Supermarkets, Metro, Greenstock (red meat supply business) and Woolworths Food Co Retail (Own Brand).

For the past three years Ms Karantoni led Primary Connect, Woolworths’ supply chain business. Prior to that she spent 20 years working across Woolworths Group in senior Australian Food leadership roles in eCommerce, Buying, Marketing and Replenishment.

“With Metro, Greenstock and Woolworths Food Co Retail moving into Woolworths Retail under Annette’s leadership, we will be able to enhance the role our retail food stores and own brand play in meeting the needs of our customers,” Woolies group CEO Amanda Bardwell said.

In New Zealand, Sally Copland has been appointed Managing Director, Woolworths New Zealand following Spencer Sonn’s decision to return to South Africa.

Meat Importers Council of America appoints executive

The Meat Importers Council of America has announced that Michael Skahill has been named the organisation’s new executive director, following the retirement of former director Bill Westman.

Mr Skahill brings years of experience in the North American food and agriculture sector both domestically and in international markets. Previously, he was global director of government affairs for Lineage Logistics, the world’s largest temperature-controlled warehouse real estate investment trust. Prior to that, he spent 23 years with Smithfield Foods as vice president of international sales and government affairs. He also held leadership positions with Louis Dreyfus Corp, the US Meat Export Federation and Cargill, Inc. He also sat on several agricultural committees, including the US-China Agricultural Food Partnership and the USMEF trade committee.

New marketing role with genetics service provider

Jess Sharp

Beef genetics marketer ABS Global has appointed Jess Sharp as Marketing Specialist for the Australia region. With a background in communications, media, marketing and agriculture, Jess will play a key role in driving ABS’s brand awareness, customer engagement, and helping livestock producers profit from genetic progress.

Jess has a bachelor of agribusiness degree from Marcus Oldham College. She brings wide industry experience and marketing acumen to the role, having created operational efficiencies, managed stakeholder communications, and assisted in building market driven strategies. She also has a strong understanding of agriculture, having grown up farming and continues to be actively involved today in livestock management.

“With her background in cattle, she understands our customers and will be an asset to helping our team connect with producers across the country,” said Marcus Rees, ABS Australia General Manager.

Rabobank’s new Queensland state manager

Rabobank has appointed Pollyana Saraiva as state manager, Country Banking for Queensland.

New Rabobank Queensland state manager Pollyana Saraiva with Emerald-based cotton grower Ian Burnett.

Ms Saraiva replaces Brad James, who has been acting in the position, and is retiring after more than 20 years with the lender.

In her new role, Ms Saraiva will be responsible for Rabobank’s rural banking operations across the state. She joins from Rabobank’s Latin American business, where she has been Head of Rural Banking, based in São Paulo, for the past six years.

Announcing the appointment, Rabobank group executive for Country Banking Australia, Marcel van Doremaele said Ms Saraiva was a seasoned leader with a strong background in, and commitment to  agribusiness and agricultural banking.

“Pollyana brings nearly 30 years’ experience in financial services and food and agribusiness to the role,” he said. “She comes from an ag background and has extensive experience in supporting family farming enterprises that are active in a number of commodities including cotton, grains, soy and beef cattle.”

Agribusiness analyst joins Meridian Agriculture

Veteran agriculture analyst Robert Herrmann will join the team at Meridian Agriculture to help farmers and agribusinesses navigate complex decisions in an ever-changing industry.

Robert Hermann

Meridian director Andrew Speirs said Mr Hermann would be part of the management group and work directly with farmers and agribusiness to support strategic planning and special projects.

“Robert has a wealth of experience in farm strategy and market analysis and brings a unique set of skills to the Meridian team which will add great value to our client offering,” he said. “His expertise lies in enterprise decision-making and risk management, providing practical, results-driven advice to farmers and agribusinesses.”

Robert’s 40 years of experience in agribusiness includes 11 years as a senior wool specialist with Elders where he provided strategic advice on the marketing and risk management of agricultural commodities. After leaving Elders, he established Ag Concepts Unlimited – an independent, specialist agricultural strategy and marketing advisory business. He later formed Ag Concepts Advisory in response to the changing landscape of the wool industry post-Reserve Price Scheme and then expanded into the areas of livestock and grain price risk management.

Ag Concepts developed Mecardo Market Analysis which provided analysis and commentary on news, data and analysis relevant to the Australian & International grain, red meat and wool industries.  Ag Concepts was purchased by Rural Co which later merged with Landmark to form Nutrien.

Young butcher shines

William Angliss Institute graduate Matt Tyquin continues to shine as a trailblazer in the butchery industry, recently being named the Australian Apprentice of the Year at the annual Australian Training Awards in Canberra.

Matt Tyquin

The accolade crowns an impressive list of achievements, including his previous victories at the 2024 Victorian Training Awards and his global recognition as the 2022 World Champion Butcher Apprentice.

Beyond his technical expertise, Matt has become a passionate advocate for sustainability and the paddock-to-plate ethos, making him a standout figure in modern retail butchery.

Matt said butchery should be recognised for what it is—a great industry that really needs more of a workforce. His journey began with humble roots at Ashburton Meats, where he worked under the mentorship of Paul Klooster.

With his accomplishments and values, Matt Tyquin is leading a new era of butchery, proving that dedication to both skill and sustainability can elevate the trade and inspire the next generation of butchers.

Six future leaders chosen for the Georgina Pastoral Future NTCA Program

The Northern Territory Cattlemens Association has announced the 2025 cohort of its Future NTCA Program, sponsored by Georgina Pastoral. Established in 2014, the program is dedicated to fostering the next generation of leaders in the Northern Territory’s pastoral industry.

Each year, Future NTCA provides participants with unparalleled opportunities to develop leadership skills, gain industry insights, and build lasting networks. The 2025 group represents a diverse and talented selection of young professionals passionate about shaping the future of Northern Australia’s beef sector.

This year’s intake includes:

• Callum McDougall – Manager/Contractor – West Balbirini Station
• Maddison Chinn – Pastoral Business Analyst – Brunette Downs Station
• Bronte Tremlett – Head Stockman – Alexandria Station
• Hugh Finlay – Head Stockman – Avon & Austral Downs
• Matilda Paesler – Rangelands Officer – Pell Station
• Piper Burnett – Head Stockman – Victoria River Downs.

“The Future NTCA Program has a proven track record of equipping young industry members with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to drive the pastoral industry forward,” said NTCA CEO Romy Carey. “This year’s participants embody the enthusiasm and dedication required to ensure a strong and sustainable future for our sector.”

The 2025 program will feature a series of workshops, industry placements, and mentoring opportunities with key leaders. Participants will also engage in exclusive sessions with industry stakeholders and policymakers, ensuring they gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the beef industry.