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

• Wagyu Association appoints COO
• Japanese ag students to experience Aussie farm life
• New MD for ABRI
• Two new directors for Australian Meat Industry Council
• Vet and cattle producer named NFF director
• National coordinator strengthens feral animal management
• Foodbank Australia welcomes new CEO
• Vale meat processor, Maurice Doube

Wagyu Association appoints COO

The Australian Wagyu Association has appointed Dr Christian Duff as the body’s new chief operating officer, commencing early 2026.

Dr Duff succeeds Matias Suarez who, as reported in our previous column, has accepted a new genetics management role at Stone Axe Pastoral.

Christian Duff

Dr Duff has worked since February this year as chief executive officer at the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) based in Armidale, having spent much of his earlier career with Angus Australia.

His technical leadership has included overseeing genetic evaluation service delivery, implementing selection indexes, conducting EBV diagnostics, and collaborating with industry stakeholders, like the CSIRO, on genomic selection tools.

In a statement, the AWA said the appointment followed an extensive recruitment process.

“Although his technical qualifications were an important part of his selection, it was also his track record in fostering high performance teams, delivering a culture of accountability, innovation, and service excellence that made him the stand out for the role,” AWA’s Matt McDonagh said.

“Christian’s career reflected a lifelong commitment to the beef industry, including extensive experience in quantitative genetics, strategic project delivery and development of genetic and genomic products,” Dr McDonagh said.

He holds a PhD in beef cattle genetics from the University of New England and has led multidisciplinary teams across Angus Australia and ABRI.

“Christian has deep experience directly related to managing the development and application of genetics and genomics tools for the beef cattle industry, including managing teams and partners to deliver the renowned reference population initiative, the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program, as well as the genomic products SteerSelect and HeiferSelect.”

Dr Duff has had direct prior experience working with Wagyu breeders, through a partnership with Southern Beef Technology Services and the Australian Wagyu Association.

He said he was excited by the progress of Wagyu globally, recognising that the AWA’s membership spans more than 40 countries and that all breeders have the opportunity to participate in AWA’s genetic evaluation through registration, performance recording and using AWA’s genetic tools.

“Wagyu has demonstrated to the red meat industry, that there doesn’t need to be separation between ‘seedstock’ and ‘commercial’ production.  Part of Wagyu’s success is the ability to use industry data and feedback to drive genetic improvement to benefit the whole supply chain.”

Japanese ag students to experience Aussie farm life

Two young Japanese agriculture studies undergraduates will visit Australia early next year, as part of an ongoing agricultural exchange program involving Tokyo’s Meiji University School of Agriculture.

Under the program the pair will spend time on Australian grazing properties from 19 February to 19 March. The purpose is to get an immersion in Australian farming and livestock practises, animal welfare, grainfeeding methodology animal husbandry and pastures management.

This year’s participants are second-year Meiji students Ishibashi Sachi and Saori Murakami.

“This will be my first farm stay, so I am little nervous,” Ishibashi said. “However, I am very excited about learning about Australian agriculture and cattle farming. I am looking forward to meeting and working with the farmers.”

Saori has worked previously during uni breaks on dairy farms in Hokkaido, and studied for a semester at a university in the UK. “I want to learn not only about farming but also about the local culture and lifestyle in Australia,” she said.

Japanese ag students have been visiting Australia under the program since the pre-COVID era.

• The pair are pictured above during a recent ceremony marking the annual exchange at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, with program ambassador, Beef Central’s Bully Khono and Australian Ag counsellor James Strachan.

New MD for ABRI

Meanwhile the Agricultural Business Research Institute has appointed a new managing director and chief executive officer, replacing Christian Duff (see references above).

Appointed to the role is Dr David Christie, who starts in his new role in early 2026.

Dr David Christie

Dr Christie brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across research, technology and commercial sectors. His capability in organisational performance, data-driven strategy and customer-focused service delivery aligns strongly with ABRI’s priorities as the organisation progresses the next phase of its 2025–2030 strategy, the institute said in a statement.

“With the continued support of the University of New England, ABRI is entering a new period of strategic evolution, building on the foundational work undertaken over the past 18 months to strengthen our capability, modernise systems and enhance the value we deliver to our customers,” the statement said.

Raised on a grazing property in north-west NSW and holding a PhD in science from the University of Sydney, Dr Christie brings a personal connection to regional communities alongside his strong alignment with ABRI’s values and a strong track record in guiding organisations through strategic growth and innovation.

Meanwhile ABRI has called for expressions of interest to fill two positions on its Board in 2026. Candidates should have one or more of the following capabilities:

• Practical experience in beef cattle breeding enterprises using genetic evaluation (ie BreedPlan)
• Strong experience and track record in technology enabled transformational change and strategic innovation, or
• Financial sustainability leadership.

Expressions (click here to access details) are due by 15 January 2026.

This call follows an earlier call in March to fill another board vacancy that sought candidates with experience in innovation, industry value creation and solutions that contribute to the long-term success of the global agricultural community.

Two new directors for Australian Meat Industry Council

The Australian Meat Industry Council has appointed two new board directors, Brooke Dawson and Dominic van Dyk.

Both bring extensive industry experience and strong strategic capability to the AMIC Board. Their appointments reflected AMIC’s commitment to strengthening industry leadership and ensuring the organisation continues to deliver value for members across the post-farmgate supply chain, the council said in a statement.

Brooke Dawson, executive chair at Oakdale Meat Co, was appointed to the board as a member of the National Processor Council, while Dominic van Dyk, of Wimmera Super Meat Market, was appointed to the Board as a member of the National Retail Council.

AMIC chair Tom Maguire noted their long involvement in AMIC and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the meat sector.

“Brooke and Dom bring fresh perspectives and strong leadership skills to the AMIC Board. Their industry expertise will be invaluable as AMIC continues to evolve and deliver programs that support the profitability and long-term sustainability of our members,” Mr Maguire said.

The Australian Meat Industry Council is the peak industry body representing processors, smallgoods manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors through to independent retail butchers and exporters.

National coordinator strengthens feral animal management

The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) has appointed a new National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordinator – bolstering its capacity to help land managers reduce the negative impacts caused by feral animals on agricultural production and the environment.

Yasmin Aly joins National Feral Rabbit Management Coordinator Heidi Kleinert, and National Wild Dog Management Coordinator Greg Mifsud, in driving vital national invasive species coordination.

Ms Aly brings significant project management expertise to the role as well as decades of experience in natural resource management across state government agencies. This includes a focus on managing invasive species such as feral pigs, goats and deer as well as projects preserving habitat for native species including the Fairy Tern and Southern Brown Bandicoot.

As National Coordinator, Yasmin will work alongside a wide range of stakeholders, including government, industry and the broader community to support on-ground control efforts and foster adoption of support tools and trusted resources like PestSmart and FeralScan.

In welcoming the DAFF-funded appointment, CISS chief executive Shauna Chadlowe noted the devastating impacts feral cats and foxes have on both Australia’s unique fauna and primary producers.

“Feral cats and foxes kill more than 2.6 billion native animals every year and are a leading cause of mammal extinctions in Australia. They roam vast distances and prey on reptiles, birds, frogs and mammals – the scale of the problem is immense,” Ms Chadlowe said.

The new feral fox and cat role will build on the national leadership CISS has provided in feral cat and fox management since 2021 – raising awareness of their far-reaching impacts, sharing research and best practices and supporting land managers in their control efforts.

“National Coordinators are the ‘glue’ in Australia’s invasive species system. They play a crucial role supporting effective, coordinated and humane best-practice management,” Ms Chadlowe said.

Vet and cattle producer named NFF director

The National Farmers’ Federation has appointed livestock veterinarian Tracy Sullivan to its board.

Dr Sullivan fills the casual vacancy created when Hamish McIntyre was elected President.

Dr Tracy Sullivan

Located in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, Dr Sullivan is an experienced cattle vet with more than two decades working across the supply chain. Her career includes roles as a grassroots beef producer, vet consultant and positions within industry and government.

Dr Sullivan is also a director with NFF member, the Australian Veterinary Association and was recently appointed to the newly formed National Food Council. She is also a graduate from the NFF’s Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program.

NFF President Hamish McIntyre welcomed Dr Sullivan’s appointment.

“Tracy has a deep knowledge of agricultural supply chains and policy, understands first-hand the realities of being a producer, and recognises the importance of industry and government working together,” he said.

Click here to listen to a Weekly Grill podcast featuring Dr Sullivan and host, Kerry Lonergan

Foodbank Australia welcomes new CEO

Charity Foodbank Australia has appointed a new chief executive officer.

Kylea Tink took up new role last month.

Kylea has an impressive professional track record spanning federal politics, commercial operations and the not-for-profit space, with roles as Managing Director for Edelman Australia, CEO of the McGrath Foundation, CEO of Camp Quality, and Independent Member for North Sydney.

Read more about Foodbank’s great work in this earlier Beef Central article.

Vale Maurice Doube

Independent Queensland beef processor Maurice (‘Maurie’) Doube passed away recently at his home near Gatton. He was aged 80 years.

Mr Double blazed a trail in the 1980s and 90s, processing cattle at his Morex Meats plants at Roma (formerly owned by Kilcoy), Grantham and Maryborough, a former state government owned plant previously run under the Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority. Primary markets were the emerging Korean trade and domestic.

Mr Doube had a reputation for ‘keeping the big boys honest’ in providing saleyards competition – especially for lesser quality cattle and cows that some operators thought they could buy cheap.

A service was held in Toowoomba last month.

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