Kaitie Nash, First Time Farmer - YBPF 2025 MC
The YBPF committee is thrilled to welcome Kaitie Nash to the stage for the second time, this year as our MC for the 2025 Young Beef Producers Forum!
We were fortunate to hear from Kaitie last year when she spoke candidly about her story as a city girl turned First Time Farmer - navigating the challenges of rural life with humour and humility. Since joining her husbands family farm in 2018, Kaitie has faced numerous challenges that tested her resilience and determination.
In November 2023, she chose to share her journey online, connecting with people worldwide and showcasing the realities of farm life. Through her authentic storytelling, Kaitie aims to inspire others as they embark on their first time farmer journeys, by providing a sense of belonging and raising awareness about the importance of Agriculture in our lives.
We cannot wait to have Kaitie on stage throughout the two days, keeping us on track, and everyone in check!
Tim Lee
Regeneration of soil and self
Tim is a fourth-generation farmer on his family property “Beulah” near Gunnedah NSW. He returned to the farm in 2014 after 14 yrs in the Australian Army with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Committed to making change on his property, he is transferring from a traditional Industrial Ag cropping and cattle operation to a Regenerative approach of grass-fed beef.
Tim discovered Regenerative agriculture while healing himself from the unseen mental scars of War. He is passionate about veterans and farmers mental health, speaking out in the belief that one day his story, will be someone else’s survival guide. He has found his people and purpose in the Regen Ag community with the help of the Lachlan Hughes Foundation.
Tim's story is one of strength and resilience, learning to overcome life’s toughest challenges with a mindset of looking forward, not back.
Peter McGilchrist
Dr Peter McGilchrist, B. Rur. Sci. Hons (UNE), PhD (Murdoch)
Professor in Meat Science
School of Environmental and Rural Sciences
University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
Peter is a Professor of meat science at the University of New England in Armidale, NSW and his research revolves around ensuring global consumer satisfaction of Australian red meat. This research covers all aspects of beef, sheep and goat supply-chains focusing on critical control points which affect the eating quality of meat from genetics, to on-farm management, processing through to the consumer. Peter is president of the Australian ICMJ Association and a member of the Meat Standards Australia beef and sheepmeat scientific pathways committees. Peter grew up on a beef cattle property in North-West NSW and is a passionate educator. Peter teaches undergraduate rural science, agriculture and agribusiness students at UNE and is very passionate about everything from soil to scotch fillets!
Teek Carmichael
Matika Carmichael, also known as Teek, has had a multifaceted career working in fitness, finance, agriculture & recently dabbling in the social media space. Over the past 5 years, she has spent business hours managing the finances for the non-for-profit organisation, Business & Rural Solutions Ltd.
Alongside this, she runs group fitness sessions & is a trainer for Kate Ivey Fitness.
Living on a property at Condamine, she spends her remaining time assisting in a family feed lotting and backgrounding enterprise.
Matika is a dynamic young professional with a passion for agriculture, community & bringing exercise to the bush
Richard Rains
Richard Rains began his career with a cadetship at Dalgety. In 1976, he joined Sanger Australia, a meat export marketing company, and by 2000 had become its CEO and majority shareholder. He led the business until 2013, when he sold his equity via a management buy-out.
Richard sold the first imported meat to South Korea in 1975. In the 1990s, he persuaded McDonald’s North America to use Australian beef, opening a major export pathway for the industry.
Richard was founding director of The Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co., a leading processor and marketer of certified organic beef and lamb…. since acquired by Hewitts.
Throughout his career, Richard contributed to numerous industry bodies and initiatives:
- Sanger Australia – 1976~2013. CEO and majority shareholder (2000–2013)
- The Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co. – Founding Director (2005–2015)
- Australian Export Council – Advisory Board Member (2013–2015)
- Cattle Council of Australia – Marketing Committee Member (2013–2015)
- Beef CRC – Director (2008–2012)
- Certified Angus Group – Director (2013–2017)
- Australian Beef Industry Sustainability Framework 2016
- Paraway Pastoral Company – Director 2014~ 2020
- Country Education Foundation – Board (2016–2021)
He also gave back to the next generation of agricultural leaders through mentoring programs, including:
- Graeme Acton Mentoring Program (2018 & 2024)
- Australian Beef Leaders Mentoring Program (2020)
He served as Chairman of The Zanda McDonald Award (2015–2023), supporting young leaders in agriculture, and continues to contribute as a judge for the Tim Fischer Foundation Awards (2025–present).
Aline Teixeira, CEO Wise Repro
Caitlyn Barton
Roger Hill
Jon Condon
Rob McGavin
Carl & Judi Bain
Jimmy Bellingham
Will Jones