Youth Rise To Champion Cattle Council Challenge

AUSTRALIA - Young beef industry leaders from across Australia will address a challenge facing the beef industry through a presentation to Cattle Council of Australia at their Annual General Meeting on 16 November in Launceston, Tasmania to compete for the inaugural national title of 2011 NAB Agribusiness Rising Beef Industry Champion.

9 November 2010

2 minute read

Oceania

Rural Press Limited announced the acclaimed finalists in Cattle Council Rising Beef Industry Champions Initiative last week.

The state/territory finalist of the winning presentation, as judged by Cattle Council Executive and NAB Agribusiness, will be announced at the inaugural ‘Beef Industry Champions Gala Dinner’ to be held at Archers Manor Hotel on 16 November 2010.

International acclaimed basketballer and five-time Olympian, Andrew Gaze, will address the young finalists with an inspirational story about achieving his life-dream of representing Australia in the Olympic Games and playing in the National Basketball Association.

The winner will represent young Australian beef producers in the Five Nation’s Beef Alliance Young Ranchers’ Forum held in Denver, Colorado, USA between 8-15 January 2010. This experience includes field visits to cattle operations, a meeting with renowned livestock handler, Temple Grandin and attending the International Livestock Congress.

The opportunity for youth to have an influential say on the big issues facing their future has been made possible by Cattle Council Rising Beef Industry Champions Initiative, a project established to inspire, empower and support rising leaders in the Australian beef industry.

“In the first year of running this initiative, we’ve received almost 40 applications from young leaders between the ages of 21 and 35 years, which is extremely encouraging,” Greg Brown, President of Cattle Council of Australia said.

Applicants applied to the initiative through the seven Farming Organisation members of Cattle Council and were required to complete a comprehensive online questionnaire to be considered for interview.

“Given the calibre of those who applied, it was a tough decision for most states to arise at a short list and then a finalist,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown said it was clear from the quality of finalists selected to present to the Council that future leadership capacity for industry is strong. However, it was up to Farming Organisations, Cattle Council and other industry bodies to further foster the development of promising leaders in the industry.

“Our job now is to retain interest and help them develop the skills and political know-how to influence policy and stand up for their rights as beef producers to assure a profitable future for the next generation,” Mr Brown said.

Cattle Council hopes that grass roots youth involvement in its activities will help to shine light on the avenues by which all beef producers can have a say.