Joy McClymont, Off The Track Training- YBPF 2018 MC
Joy is bound to lift the energy levels of the Young Beef Producers attending this years Forum!
Joy is highly focused on providing virtual health and fitness opportunities, guidance and resources to individuals from any location. As a qualified personal trainer Joy founded and is the owner of "Off The Track Training", where she grows this vision on a Sheep and cattle station 100km West of Longreach where she lives with her husband and children. Living hours from a shop, gym or bitumen road has inspired Joy to innovate health and fitness in a new way – utilising our natural environment and what we have available around us.
“You know what I want … I want people who live and feel like the minority to be a part of a program where they live and feel like the majority.
I want people to feel empowered to determine their own health, fitness and way of life.
I believe that any physical achievement is possible no matter where you live or what your beginning fitness level is. I don’t believe in striving to achieve somebody else’s body type, I believe in striving to achieve the best version of your own body and behaviour. I believe that together food and exercise can change how you face life every day of every year!” (Joy McClymont)
JOHN & ANGELA FRITH, GLEN ARDEN CATTLE COMPANY - YBPF PROPERTY TOUR
John and Angela Frith, in partnership with John's parents, own and mange Glen Arden Cattle Company, which is based 65km North-East of Roma. Their operation consists of approximately 45,000 acres of backgrounding country within a few hours of Roma, along with 1.2 million acres in the NT which runs breeders and has centre pivots for hay production. John and Angela are big into making objective business decisions based on data and strive to increase efficiency by using a range of tools and technologies on-farm. They annually undertake comprehensive business analysis and forage budgeting, along with use telemetry, NLIS technology and KLR marketing on an ongoing basis. Laneways and yard design also help drive efficiency. With three children, the couple keep very busy on a daily basis, but they wouldn't have it any other way - they love raising their children in the country and love converting grass into beef.
Prue & David Bondfield, Palgrove
David Bondfield
David is CEO of Palgrove Pastoral Co P/L and has been in the seedstock business all his life.
He’s judged stud and commercial cattle at every major Royal Show in Australia, as well as national breed shows and world congress events across the world.
He is also a past president of the Charolais Society of Australia.
Prue Bondfield
Prue is General Manager of Palgrove. She has a background in law and has held numerous directorship positions on both private company and government boards.
She was until recently, Chairman of the Australian Beef Industry Sustainability Committee and is currently a director of the Regional Investment Corporation.
Palgrove
Palgrove operates breeding and finishing properties across central and southern Qld and northern NSW. The stud sells over 1000 registered Charolais, Charbray and Ultrablack Angus bulls a year as well as currently expanding its commercial beef operation.
In 2017, Palgrove was awarded the Coles Weekly Times Farmer of the Year and is also the 2015 ABC Kondinin Australian Livestock Producer of the Year.
Last year, the Bondfields formed a joint venture partnership with the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and is now operating under a family/corporate business model.
Tim Pryor, Chief Operating Officer - StockCo Australia
Tim joined StockCo in 2017 having worked for Bank of Queensland as Head of Agribusiness. Tim was introduced to StockCo in 2012 in his BOQ role having been a fundamental part of the underlying finance arrangements and due diligence completed by the senior debt club.
Tim began his career working for rural agency business AWB Landmark. Tim then spent the next 12 years in senior Rural Banking roles across CBA, ANZ and most recently BOQ. Tim holds a Bachelor Degree in Animal Sciences and Production. He has a very broad rural and banking knowledge having experience ranging from client facing roles to engagement with executive leadership teams driving policy and strategy in an ASX listed regional Bank.
Dalene Wray, Managing Director of OBE Organic
Dalene Wray is Managing Director of OBE Organic, a well-established Australian company specialising in organic halal grass fed beef. She is a champion of gender and ethnic diversity in the workplace.
Dalene also works tirelessly to drive change, innovation and digital adoption in the Australian beef industry. OBE Organic was an early adopter of social media under her guidance, and she has initiated a leading sustainability program in the beef industry which aims to better manage supply chain opportunities and risks around environment, animals, people and product.
Dalene contributes to the beef industry through her involvement as Deputy Chair, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Council for Australian Arab Relations; Committee Member, Telstra Queensland Regional Advisory Committee; and other industry groups.
Dalene, who speaks English, French, Spanish and Afrikaans, grew up in the open spaces of Outback Queensland. She has worked in the organic food industry for over a decade, and for six of those years was based in Hong Kong.
Michael Wellington, Associate at Bush AgriBusiness
Michael commenced with Bush AgriBusiness after graduating from the University of Queensland Gatton Campus with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours). His interests are varied, having been involved in research projects ranging from agronomy to animal nutrition during university.
Michael has been exposed to a range of agricultural production systems, including completing work experience with the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association as part of the RIRDC Horizon Scholarship. He joined Bush AgriBusiness as part of the MLA Future Livestock Consultants Internship program. In his role at Bush AgriBusiness, Michael works with a wide range of producers on business management and technical issues.
Brad James, Regional Manager for Southern QLD & Northern NSW For Rabobank
Brad James is Rabobank Regional Manager for Southern Queensland and Northern NSW. Brad has a strong affiliation with the bush having spent the majority of his banking career specialising in the agriculture sector. Educated in country Queensland Brad moved straight into a career in banking after completing his formal education. During this period he spent time specialised in both the commercial and corporate banking sector before finding his niche in agriculture in the early nineties. During Brad’s career in agribusiness he has specialised in a host of commodities from beef through to cane.
Emily Pullen, Jim's Jerky Chief Executive Officer
Emily Pullen is the CEO of her family’s company Jim’s Jerky, based near Toowoomba. Founded in 2004 by her parents Jim & Cathie, Jim’s Jerky creates quality beef jerky, biltong and smallgoods from Australian beef.
Growing up on her family’s mixed cropping and grazing enterprises on the Northern Downs and Central Queensland, and a trained agronomist, Emily has been involved in the beef industry for most of her life. But her career path has been random! Including working in the UK for Dept Food, Environment & Rural Affairs’ Sustainable Development Commission, and with Red Tractor, one of the world’s largest full chain assurance schemes for food. She has also worked for a Social Housing Company and in the Australian on-shore gas industry.
Emily believes the Australian beef industry can take a commanding stake in the huge national and international snacking market, and that industry needs to look to other sectors to see how investment and innovation can lead to a broader home for their products. In August, Emily was named the Cattle Council of Australia’s Rising Champion for 2019.
Robert Herrmann, Mecardo
Mecardo (A Ruralco Business) is an independent, specialist Agricultural strategy and marketing advisory business. Mecardo has vigorously protected this independence, which has become a valuable asset for its clients.
The company was established by Robert Herrmann in Adelaide in 1996. With a strong background in agriculture, Robert's commitment was to deliver a high quality pro-active risk analysis and management service to clients.
Mecardo is Australia's leading multi commodity risk management advisory and market intelligence service, providing concise, timely & relevant market information through our online platform, and direct to private clients.
Mecardo is recognised throughout the Australian rural sector for innovative thinking, thought leadership and the capacity to design "disruptive technology & thinking" that challenges the status quo.
Mecardo's qualities and initiatives result in continued demand for their independent and valued opinion in the Agricultural Sector.
Bryce Camm, Camm Agriculture Group
Bryce Camm hails from Dalby in Queensland’s Darling Downs region where he oversees his family’s company Camm Agricultural Group; an integrated beef and cropping enterprise with interests across Queensland. Bryce has been managing the group for two years. Prior to that he was the Manager of the group’s award winning Wonga Plains Feedlot for eight years where he oversaw the operation triple in size. Growing up on “Natal Downs” in North Queensland Bryce undertook a dual degree in Business Administration and Communications at Bond University. Bryce is currently the Chairman of the Beef Sustainability Steering Group, Vice Chairman of Beef Australia Limited and a member of the Executive of the Australian Lot Feeders Council. He was the Rabo Bank Emerging Leader Award recipient in 2014.
Georgie Aley, @GeorgieAley
Georgie Aley has held senior management and Non-Executive Director roles within the Australian food and agribusiness sector for over 10 years. Georgie joined KPMG in August 2018 as a member of their Food and Agribusiness Management Consulting Team. Prior to this she was the CEO of The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology, having been appointed as the inaugural CEO of AIFST in April 2015 and currently serves as a Director of Pulse Australia, Agribusiness Australia and Workforce Consulting. In 2013, Georgie was peer nominated as the inaugural recipient of the Rabobank Emerging Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award – recognising an up-and-coming ANZ food and agribusiness executive with less than 10-years industry tenure. In 2014 she was recognised in the Inaugural 100 Women in Australian Agribusiness and in the same year The Australian Financial Review named her one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence for 2014. Georgie has a Business Management degree from the University of Sydney, Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the Macquarie University Graduate School of Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Owen and Brigid Price – Hillyvale, Arcadia Valley
Owen Price
Owen is a commercial beef producer from Central Qld who grew up on the land and is focused on securing premium markets and high returns for the family business. Overseeing their operation, Owen has transitioned all properties to organic and last year the business was certified through Grazing BMP.
Owen is an advocate for utilising industry knowledge to improve agricultural practices, business efficiencies and onground productivity gains. With a particular interest in genetics, property development and not reinventing the wheel, Owen is a practical operator with a long-term vision.
Brigid Price
Brigid works alongside Owen in their family business and is the creator of the Rural Resources Online, a comprehensive website that unites Australian farmers through resources, shared knowledge, expert skills, and the all-important stories of community and spirit encapsulated by life on the land.
ruralresources.com.au and the facebook page offers primary producers a place to connect, seek advice, gain access to products and information, while providing a forum to discuss the real challenges and successes of Australian farming in the 21st century.
Brigid was chosen to participate in the 2018 NFF Diversity in Agriculture Leadership program.
Bec Beissel, Director and Owner of Maranoa Beef
Bec Beissel, in partnership with her husband Craig and two young children, is a Director and Owner of Maranoa Beef.
As a fifth generation beef producer, she carries forth a rich and proud history of producing ethically raised, premium quality grass fed beef. Now through Maranoa Beef and its Know Your Farmer Know Your Food message, she is at the forefront of delivering a unique and valued eating experience direct to consumers.
Like all farmers, Bec has a strong connection with her land and her animals, but it is developing and strengthening her connection with her consumers that is Bec’s passion. Delivering the “Maranoa Beef Ultimate Eating Experience” every single time is the driving force behind all the management systems within her business – from breeding genetics, pasture management, low stress stock handling, processing, packaging, delivery and building dynamic customer relationships.
Bec and Craig are striving to set new standards in their industry, including the development of innovative and exciting ways to uniquely engage with customers. In her words, “It’s not just about selling the steak...it’s more than that...we must sell the sizzle too in order to grab the attention of our consumers.”
Sam Marwood, Cultivate Farms
Sam Marwood is a community driven problem solver from central Victoria who is redefining the farming and agriculture industry. With a background in environmental science and social entrepreneurship Sam spent his early years as a policy advisor to the Victorian Government before connecting to his roots- farming and all things the environment.
In 2016 Sam recognised an emerging farming problem. Retiring farmers were simply selling off vast amounts of property and with it a deep understanding of farming. All the while young aspiring farmers found it near impossible to acquire the capital and acute knowledge to begin a new generation of farmers.
Answer: Cultivate Farms. A match maker for retiring farmers and want-to- be farmers alike. Since its launch, Cultivate Farms have nurtured many new farming partnerships across Australia, with the first of its kind in Albury, now operating as Hicks Country Beef.
Rod Miller, Wool Specialist/SA Manager – Australian Wool Network
Rod Miller joined Australian Wool Network (AWN) in 2013 and is now the Managing Wool Specialist and Wool Marketing Manager overseeing AWN’s South Australian clients and in the field team. He is often referred to as Mr. DNA! More about that shortly.
Rod is well known in South Australia’s woolly circles through his considerable experience marketing wool for clients from all regions as well as his wool business management and industry positions nationally.
Australian grown and owned, AWN was established in 1999 and is now the largest, independent wool marketing and brokering company in the country. AWN’s vision has always been to bring woolgrowers and wool processors closer together by uniting all stages of the wool processing pipeline – from the woolgrower to retail.
As Rod explains, “AWN is a specialist wool broker, dedicated to wool. We have not deviated from our core business or our vision in fact we are continually looking at ways we can broaden our services in wool. The wool industry operates in an extremely competitive market place and managing price variability is a constant challenge.”
As an AWN Wool Specialist, Rod is focused on helping his clients offset extreme price variability through a variety of selling alternatives including a full range of price risk management solutions, wool indicator contracts, direct to mill arrangements plus a range of modern selling products.
AWN continues to focus on extending its original vision to connect woolgrowers right through the processing pipeline to a finished garment and to the wool wearing consumer. AWN calls this a ‘Direct Network Advantage’ or DNA. With this program providing wool provenance is the priority. Each DNA garment boasts a QR-enabled DNA swing tag (accessed via smartphones) that showcases the woolgrowers who contributed to the making of the garment, their sheep and the environment in which the wool was grown along with some great local wool growing stories. Rod has become AWN’s DNA guru, travelling Australia introducing the concept to woolgrowers and earning him the title Mr. DNA!
In 2014, AWN acquired a knitwear manufacturing company and launched their ‘Grow|Make|Wear’ (GMW) strategy. AWN is currently the only wool marketing/brokering company with an Australian based manufacturing facility to make their own merino wool fashion and next-to-skin apparel, accessories and homewares.
More recently in mid-2018, AWN advanced to the final chapter in their GMW strategy – ‘Wear’ and launched their own online store ‘Merino & Co – the home of the world’s most desirable fibre, merino.’ Under this masterbrand sit their premier modern merino wool labels: ‘Only Merino’, ‘Hedrena’ and ‘MerinoSnug’.
Mark Westcott, The Strategic Evolution
Mark is originally from the bush and understands the problems of starting the whole succession planning conversation.
“If we were to meet here 3 months from now, would you then like to have clarity in regard to the succession plans for the family business?”
Most parents and young beef producers initially don’t know how or where to start the conversation in regard to future family roles and business succession.
That’s why we created 5 simple strategies to easily start the succession conversation.
In just 15 minutes, learn the simple, yet proven ways to create harmony, direction and consensus with all family members.
Like many before you have, create positive outcomes for all family members.
Mark’s presentation will also show you the 3 step process to create Peace of Mind for all involved.
Michael Crowley - General Manager, Producer Consultation and Adoption - Meat & Livestock Australia
Michael holds a bachelor’s degree, Rural Science from the University of New England and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from QUT.
His team are responsible for MLA’s investments in Adoption, R&D consultation, Livestock Genetics and MSA, working closely with producers and the red meat value chain to drive adoption of R&D.
Michael joined MLA in 2009 where he has held position of MSA Manager, International Business Manager (EU & Russia) and now GM Producer Consultation & Adoption. Prior to joining MLA, Michael held a number of commercial positions in the red meat supply chain including running his own business.
Tom Perkins – Nelyambo, Dirranbandi
Tom was born and raised in Dirranbandi before attending boarding school in Brisbane and undertaking tertiary studies at UQ Gatton. He graduated in 2007 with a degree in Animal Science and Business Management and undertook a cadetship role with AACo for nine months. He then travelled for five months before returning to AACo in a Special Projects role based at Brunette Downs in the NT.
In March 2011, Tom decided to move back to the family property at Dirranbandi and that’s where he still is today. Together with his wife and parents, the business runs a mixed enterprise operation which includes 3000 breeding merinos, 200 cows and 2,500 acres of cultivation. Merinos are their passion and form the core of the business.
Tom married his wife Caitlin in 2014 and they have one daughter, Lucy, and are expecting another baby in March 2019. He has a passion for agriculture and the businesses and small communities associated with our industry. Times have been tough of late, however Tom is confident in the strength and durability of Aussie Ag and sees endless opportunities for people to be involved. Aside from work, Tom is a sporting tragic and has a passion for breeding and training Australian Stock Horses and working kelpies.
Angus Gidley-Baird, RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness Senior Analyst
Angus is a Senior Analyst in the RaboResearch Food &Agribusiness Research team, responsible for research and analysis on the local and global animal protein sectors.
Rabobank’s RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness team is charged with analyzing developments in food and agricultural markets and industries, and advising the bank and its clients on strategic implications for their businesses. A local team of 12 analysts are part of a broader network of 90 analysts spread across every major production and consumption region of the world, RaboResearch is a central component of the bank’s capacity for informed credit decision making, product development, advisory services, and strategic client partnerships.
In his role, Angus provides regular market updates on beef, sheepmeat, pork, poultry and seafood markets. Furthermore he develops and writes feature research, providing knowledge and insights on key industry issues with recent reports on forward marketing in the red meat industry and value based marketing for beef. Angus is a regular public speaker at farmer and industry events and also produces podcasts as part of the RaboResearch team communications.
Angus formerly held roles at NSW Farmers’ Association, the peak farmer representative body in NSW, and at the Department of Food and Rural Affairs in the United Kingdom. He holds an honours degree in Agriculture Economics from the University of Sydney with majors in Agricultural Economics and Marketing and a masters in Accounting from Curtin University in Western Australia.
Robert Wyld- Sapien Technology
Robert was brought up on a commercial Cattle and Sheep breeding property in Western Victoria. He attended university in Melbourne gaining a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering. After starting an early career in Building Services in Melbourne he decided to travel for a few years through the US and Europe. Arriving back in Australia in 2001, he wanted to return to the industry he loved so he wrote a piece of software for use on the family farm to start collecting and collating information on their animals. It soon became apparent that this was a tool that others had an interest in and Sapien Technology was born.
For over 15 years Robert has been managing his technology business, with clients from across the supply chain, from family operations to corporate supply chains, saleyards, retailers and live exporters. He has a passion for individual animal management and sharing the benefits it can bring, whilst remaining engaged with his family operation.
JESSE MOODY- CUNNAMULLA GRAZIER
Jesse Moody grew up around the district of Cunnamulla before completing secondary school in 2007 and a diesel fitting apprenticeship in Brisbane. In 2011, he returned home to Cunnamulla to work with his parents on their mixed livestock grazing operation. In 2015, he briefly left to pursue a diploma in agribusiness at Marcus Oldham in Geelong. Following this he came back to the family business to assist with all operations. With his parents, he currently runs 5,500 merino sheep with 100 head of simbrah cattle.
Jesse is actively involved with the sheep industry through the organisation, 'Leading Sheep' where he sits on the advisory panel that works in collaboration with stakeholders to assist and improve the industry. At home he also like to keep busy in his local community as president of the local rugby club and as chief steward of the local sheep dog trials. He is passionate about sheep, particularly wool growing and is a strong advocate for the use of performance measurement in merino sheep.
BART DAVIDSON- GRAZING CONSULTANT MAIAGRAZING
Bart Davidson has been involved with MaiaGrazing since its inception and understands the program intimately. For the past 15 years, he has built relationships with grazing businesses right across Australia in his work as a grazing consultant. Across a diverse range of farming operations, Bart applies a system based approach, relying on principle, to work with and train land managers in the development of and reporting to farm nutrient management plans. Bart’s experience spans throughout the agriculture sector, from low input certified organic systems through to high input, intensive dairy and irrigated cotton and grains. He has developed training workshops for NRM organisations, Australian Land Management Group (ALMG) and individual farmer groups.
MaiaGrazing is a dynamic grazing management tool which provides a planned grazing approach, integrating new and historic data. This software package enables graziers to optimise production making more informed stocking decisions.
ED ROSS & DAN ALLEN - TRADEMUTT
Dan and Ed from Trademutt will be in attendance at this year's YBPF.
The boys will be out to start a conversation and you wont be able to miss them in their bold "conversation starter" work shirts. Trademutt's goal is "to tackle men's suicide in Australia head on, and in doing so, make Aussie tradies look great, feel great and be part of a movement that will change the face of men's mental health forever."
Trademutt's bright and standout shirts are designed in that way so they can be used as a light-hearted approach in starting the topic on mental health.
Rick Ford – Fossil Downs Station, Fitzroy Crossing
A fourth generation cattle producer, Rick Ford is Regional Manager for Hancock Agriculture’s West Australian Cattle stations. He’s also full time manager of iconic ‘Fossil Downs Station’ in WA’s remote Kimberley. He has an intense passion for the cattle industry and is enthusiastic about its bright future.
Growing up on his family’s cattle property in Central Qld, he moved to the North after obtaining his commercial helicopter licence on his 18th birthday. He spent 10 years heli mustering, working out of stock camps and eventually buying his own helicopters. By 28 he was managing a 1.7 million acre cattle property in the Kimberley running 20,000 head. He is passionate about inspiring young people to believe in their abilities and setting themselves up for a future in the beef industry.
The last three years have seen him combine his two great interests of agriculture and technology. He is leading the way by trialing and implementing new technologies on Fossil Downs and working with developers to fine tune their inventions. He enjoys showcasing how technology can aid our industry in stepping up to the plate.