The National Beef Leaders (NBL) program is the grass-fed cattle industry’s flagship leadership program. It was launched by Cattle Australia to identify, develop and empower the next generation of industry leaders.
The National Beef Leaders program is centred on the empowerment of the next generation of grass-fed beef industry leaders, with a focus on attracting and retaining exceptional people and nurturing their potential. By developing skilled and capable leaders, we are securing a strong and sustainable future for the grass-fed beef industry.
The National Beef Leaders program is designed for people aged between 21 and 35 years, who are established in their careers and ready to take the next step in leadership and representation. Participants will receive training to develop skills in representation, policy, and media engagement, while also promoting personal development through self-awareness and confidence-building activities.
Participants gain the opportunity to represent the Australian beef industry on a state and national level. The program enhances participants’ understanding of the beef industry’s representative bodies, governance structures, and regional challenges, and prepare them to be influential in driving meaningful change for the beef industry’s future.
The National Beef Leaders program supports seven candidates from across Australia in undertaking a leadership and development program, including multiple face-to-face sessions, CA and Government engagement, and personal development training in public speaking, policy formation, negotiating, and media training. They will be assigned a mentor for the duration of the program.
Appplications close:
Midnight Sunday, 16th August 2026
Empower your future
Dive into a program tailored to empower and develop emerging talent. Through hands-on sessions, personal development training, and real-world engagement, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to lead with impact.
Develop essential skills
Expand knowledge
Build a strong network
Contribute to your industry
We’re looking for driven individuals aged 21-35 years who are established in their careers and ready to take the next step in leadership and advocacy.
Each intake will feature seven candidates, with a focus on geographical diversity (three from NABR, three from SALR, and one from WALR).
These terms and conditions apply to and govern applications for, selection into and participation in the 2026 – 2027 National Beef Leaders program administered by Cattle Australia (Program).
1. About the program
The Program identifies and develops emerging leaders who have the potential to contribute to grassfed cattle producer representation and the future of the Australian beef industry. It provides leadership development, governance, policy, communication, advocacy and industry representation opportunities.
2. Key dates
Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
Applications open | 9.00 am AEST, 27 July 2026 |
Applications close | 11.59 pm AEST, 16 August 2026 |
Cattle Connect | 21-23 October 2026, Wagga Wagga, NSW |
Canberra leadership development week | February-March 2027, with dates to be confirmed to align with a Parliamentary sitting week |
Graduation and leadership deep dive | June 2027. Dates to align with Cattle Australia Board meeting. |
Cattle Australia may extend the application deadline or change Program dates where reasonably necessary. applicants will be notified of any material changes.
3. Eligibility
To be eligible, an applicant must:
It is also recommended that:
4. How to apply
Applicants must complete and submit the online application form available through www.cattleaustralia.com.au. The application must include:
Applications are taken to be received when recorded as received by Cattle Australia. Late, incomplete, duplicate, illegible or misleading applications may be excluded. Cattle Australia is not responsible for applications delayed, lost or not received because of technical problems outside its reasonable control.
5. Selection criteria
Eligible applications will be assessed on merit against the following criteria:
Criterion | What will be assessed |
|---|---|
1. Commitment to grassfed producer representation | Direct involvement in grassfed production, levy-payer alignment and understanding of producer issues. |
2. Leadership capability | Initiative, resilience, capacity to influence and collaborate, and potential to contribute across Cattle Australia networks. |
3. Industry knowledge and strategic insight | Understanding of policy, sustainability, markets, biosecurity, trade and future industry challenges. |
4. Communication and industry representation skills | Ability to communicate industry issues to producers, policymakers, supply-chain partners and consumers, supported by practical involvement in industry networks. |
5. Diversity of perspective and regional representation | The perspective, experience and views the applicant would contribute to a credible and nationally representative cohort. |
6. Reach | Existing or emerging reach through education, media, public speaking, stakeholder networks, community platforms or digital communication. |
Cattle Australia may also consider the composition of the overall cohort, including geographic, professional, demographic and experiential diversity, and the balance of producer leaders, emerging governance or policy leaders and high-reach communicators. This consideration will not replace assessment against the published criteria.
6. Selection process
Cattle Australia’s decisions regarding eligibility, shortlisting and selection are final, subject to applicable law. Cattle Australia is not required to provide detailed reasons for its decisions, but may provide constructive feedback where practicable.
7. Applicant responsibilities
An applicant must:
Cattle Australia may disqualify an applicant where it reasonably believes the applicant has provided false or misleading information, breached these terms and conditions, acted improperly or compromised the integrity of the selection process or the organisation.
8. Participant commitments
If selected, a participant agrees to:
If a participant cannot meet a material Program commitment, they must notify Cattle Australia as soon as possible. Cattle Australia will consider the circumstances and may approve an alternative arrangement, defer an activity or withdraw the participant’s place.
9. Travel, accommodation and expenses
For compulsory face-to-face Program activities, Cattle Australia will arrange or approve reasonable travel, accommodation and meals in accordance with its travel and expense policy, the itinerary and instructions provided to participants.
Unless Cattle Australia agrees otherwise in writing, participants are responsible for:
Participants must provide relevant dietary, accessibility, medical or emergency information requested for safe Program delivery. Cattle Australia will handle health and other sensitive information in accordance with its privacy obligations.
10. Withdrawal, cancellation and changes
An applicant may withdraw their application at any time before selection by notifying Cattle Australia. A participant may withdraw from the Program by providing notice as soon as practicable.
Cattle Australia may reasonably vary dates, locations, delivery methods, activities or presenters, or suspend or cancel all or part of the Program, where circumstances outside its reasonable control or Program requirements make this necessary. Cattle Australia will provide affected applicants or participants with as much notice as reasonably practicable.
Cattle Australia may withdraw a participant’s place for serious or repeated misconduct, failure to meet material Program commitments, a serious breach of these Terms and Conditions, or conduct likely to materially harm another person, the Program or Cattle Australia’s reputation. Where appropriate, the participant will be given an opportunity to respond before a final decision is made.
11. Personal information and privacy
Cattle Australia will collect and use personal information provided in an application to administer the application and selection process, communicate with applicants, conduct interviews and referee checks, arrange Program participation, meet safety and legal obligations, evaluate the Program and maintain the National Beef Leaders alumni network.
Cattle Australia may disclose relevant information to selection panel members, referees, Program contractors, travel and event providers, professional advisers and government or regulatory bodies where required or authorised by law. Cattle Australia will only disclose information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.
Personal information will be handled in accordance with Cattle Australia’s privacy policy, which is available on request. The policy explains how individuals may request access to or correction of their personal information and how to make a privacy enquiry or complaint.
Consent to receive unrelated future marketing communications must be obtained separately and is not a condition of applying for or participating in the Program.
12. Confidential information
During the application process an applicant may become privy to Confidential Information of Cattle Australia.
Confidential information means any Cattle Australia information that is by its nature confidential, is designated by Cattle Australia as confidential or is received by an applicant on the understanding that it is confidential, irrespective of whether that information was disclosed before, on or after the date on which the application is made, but does not include information that is:
Applicants must not disclose Confidential Information without prior written consent of Cattle Australia or unless required or authorised by law.
Participants will be required to enter into a non-disclosure agreement with Cattle Australia.
13. Finalist and Program publicity
The application form will ask applicants to provide a short profile and portrait photograph. If an applicant is selected as a finalist, and has provided the required consent, Cattle Australia may edit for length or style and publish the applicant’s name, general location, photograph and profile for finalist announcements and promotion of the Program.
During Program activities, Cattle Australia may invite participants to be photographed, filmed, recorded or quoted. The intended uses will be explained through the application form, event notice or a separate media consent. Consent may be withdrawn for future uses by contacting Cattle Australia, although material already published or produced may not always be capable of being recalled.
Applicants retain ownership of the original material they submit. They grant Cattle Australia a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to reproduce, edit and use that material to assess and administer applications and, where the relevant publicity consent is given, to promote the applicant’s involvement and the Program.
14. Liability
To the extent permitted by law, each person participates in travel and Program activities at their own risk and remains responsible for following safety instructions and exercising reasonable care. Cattle Australia is not responsible for loss arising from matters outside its reasonable control or from an applicant’s or participant’s own act, omission or failure to follow reasonable instructions.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any right, guarantee, warranty or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified, including rights under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (C’th) and applicable State or Territory laws.
15. General
16. Acceptance
By checking the acceptance box and submitting the online application form, the applicant confirms that they have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions. A separate signature is not required.
17. Enquiries
Questions about the application process or these Terms and Conditions should be directed to Cattle Australia through the contact details published with the National Beef Leaders application at www.cattleaustralia.com.au.
Tyla Comerford has built a diverse career within the Australian and international beef industry, with experience spanning the seedstock sector, beef export trade, pastoral operations, and the broader beef supply chain. After graduating in 2020 with a Bachelor of Agriculture and a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing, she commenced her career with an organic export beef and lamb operation before transitioning into the corporate agency sector. Driven to broaden her knowledge, Tyla worked across Canada and the United States, gaining hands-on experience as a lab technician and semen analyst at a bull collection centre, as well as in feedlot and backgrounding systems. Now back in Australia, Tyla is enthusiastic about contributing to the seedstock industry and supporting the next generation through her involvement in youth and agricultural events. Currently working as the Central Sales Representative at StockLive, she is dedicated to personal growth, learning from those in industry and working for a more sustainable industry for generations to come.
Teagan Lawrence is an extension officer (carbon) in the Department of Primary Industries’ Extensive Livestock Systems team. She supports beef producers across North Queensland to understand emissions reduction, sustainability and carbon markets. Teagan has worked across Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland, gaining valuable practical insight into the challenges and opportunities of beef production in different environments. She holds a Bachelor of Agriculture and Business from the University of New England and combines this knowledge with her practical experience to support graziers in identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reduce emissions and remain competitive amid evolving market and regulatory expectations. Teagan is particularly interested in how policy and extension can align to ensure sustainability frameworks are practical and achievable at the farm level, supporting long-term outcomes for producers and the broader beef industry through improved knowledge, efficiency and resilience.
Liam Mowbray is a cattle veterinarian, Angus breeder, and Research & Development Specialist at Angus Australia. Based in the Barrington region of New South Wales, Liam works with producers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to deliver genetic research outcomes and guide national breed improvement strategies. He also facilitates the Angus Sire Benchmarking and Genetic Evaluation Consultative Committees, helping shape the direction of genetic R&D across the beef industry. Alongside his professional role, Liam operates Marlea Angus, a growing beef breeding business spanning three properties in the foothills of the Barrington Tops, focused on producing resilient, high-performing Angus cattle with exceptional eating quality. Driven by a passion for genetics, fertility, and cattle health, Liam has built his business from the ground up, and is committed to helping others see a future in the beef industry. He aims to grow as a communicator and advocate, contributing to an efficient and sustainable Australian beef sector.
Mia Doering is the Safety and Welfare Business Partner at Consolidated Pastoral Company, which owns and operates a portfolio of 10 station aggregations across northern Australia and two feedlots in Indonesia. Based in Brisbane and maintaining close ties to her family’s Santa Gertrudis stud at Tansey, Qld, Mia has a strong appreciation for both family and corporate agriculture. She spent four years in the Kimberley working on cattle stations and in contracting camps while completing her degree in Agribusiness and Sustainable Agriculture remotely. In 2024, Mia was awarded the RJ Kleberg Scholarship as the Santa Gertrudis Youth Ambassador, spending nine weeks at King Ranch in the United States exploring global beef production systems and the origins of Santa Gertrudis cattle. As Vice Chair of the Young Livestock Exporters Network and an MLA Red Meat Ambassador, Mia is committed to driving positive change, bridging the gap between producers and consumers, and supporting the next generation of leaders across northern Australia’s beef industry.
Lew Crothers is a driven agriculturalist with a passion for the production and genetic development of high-quality cattle, fodder crops and pastures. He has experience across the commercial cattle industry operating both breeding and trading enterprises on owned and leased country throughout the Northern New England of NSW. After a short secondment to one of Australia’s largest and most successful seedstock cattle producers, he now values the importance of data-driven decision-making to enhance productivity. Lew was born and raised on the land, however at 18 enlisted into the Australian Army, where he spent almost 15 years leading some of the finest soldiers in the world. This career shaped his leadership and problem-solving skills which are now qualities applied to help manage and grow his family farming business within the ever-evolving agricultural industry. Lew is married to Kirsten, an AgriBanker, and together they have two young daughters, Matilda and Ivy.
Larry is a fifth-generation grazier based north-east of Rolleston in Central Queensland. His family has operated a breeding and backgrounding enterprise on their property, ‘Katrina’, for 49 years across three generations. They run between 850 and 1,050 breeding females, with surplus progeny turned off primarily at feeder weight. In 2015, Larry and his family registered a nucleus herd of seedstock Droughtmaster females. Following the recent purchase of an established Droughtmaster stud herd, they now manage 240 registered breeding females and market auction sale bulls through multi-vendor sales in Rolleston and Clermont. Larry was recently elected as the Central Zone Director for the Droughtmaster Stud Breeders Society and is proud to serve as an active and passionate board member. Through the National Beef Leaders program, Larry looks forward to making connections, embracing new challenges and learning as much as he can.
Ben Reardon is an emerging beef industry professional with extensive experience in pastoral management, livestock production and station operations across Northern and Central Australia. He currently serves as a station manager in Cloncurry, Qld. Ben has developed a broad skill set in herd management, data systems, animal welfare and team leadership through years of hands-on experience across diverse pastoral environments. Holding formal qualifications in agriculture, he is committed to continuous professional development and the adoption of innovative, sustainable practices within the beef industry. Ben is passionate about driving productivity within pastoral environments, fostering capabilities within rural teams, and contributing to the ongoing strength and resilience of Australia’s cattle sector.
Eliza Gray is Innovation Projects Officer for AA Co, and has been involved in projects including the first large-scale, long-fed Asparagopsis trial in Wagyu feeder cattle. She oversees AA Co’s Animal Health and Wellbeing Extension and Adoption Partnership with MLA, and believes there is a lot to be gained from identifying and reducing barriers to adopting innovative practices in the northern beef industry. For the past four years, Eliza has mentored Year 12 students interested in pursuing careers in ag science, northern beef production, and large animal veterinary science, to ensure the next generation of female leaders in the beef industry.
Tom Taheny is Farm Manager for the Western District Pastoral Company’s property, Maranoa Downs, at Naracoorte, which joins a large number of Angus females annually. He was raised on his family’s cropping and livestock farm before completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Adelaide and managing southern operations for an Angus and Santa Gertrudis stud at Lucindale. Tom has been selected for several leadership positions including the 2023 GenAngus Future Leaders Program and 2022 Australian Wool Innovation Breeding Leadership Course. Tom was a participant on Adelaide University’s live cattle export tour of northern Australian facilities and Indonesian feedlots, abattoirs and wet markets. His key areas of interest are ensuring the sustainability of markets; shrinking the gap between farmgate and supermarket prices; and on farm productivity, including cow production efficiency.
Billi Marshall started her own business, Imperial Bovine Breeding Services, at the age of 25 after working in broadacre cropping and gaining accreditation as an authorised pregnancy tester specialising in reproduction. She delivers services including AI, semen testing and herd management to clients ranging over an area of 2500km, and in 2023, pregnancy tested 34,000 head of cattle. Billi is an experienced exhibitor and judge of stud cattle, and was the 2020 Angus Australia Trans-Tasman Scholarship recipient. She is currently President of the WA Youth Cattle Association and is keenly interested in the evolution of data management and technology for producers, to enable them to make better informed decisions.
Timothy Mitchell is the Livestock Procurement Manager for Drury Farming Company, responsible for procurement of all cattle from paddock to hook. Timothy enjoys working with many different stakeholders to build a stronger supply chain and the challenge of producing a consistent beef product 365 days of the year. His current goal is to take the Condabri feed yard from 15,000SCU to 35,000SCU. He is passionate about animal welfare and looks to constantly improve the wellbeing of all animals, including cattle, horses ridden in the feedlot and dogs used for mustering. Timothy’s previous experience included working his way up to head stockman on a station in the Kimberley region, and completing a Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) at Marcus Oldham College.
Hannah Powe is NSW Genomics Territory Manager for Neogen Australasia and also owns Goondoola Livestock, producing stud and commercial Angus and Red Angus cattle on the Central Tablelands. A former livestock editor of The Land newspaper, Hannah has been an Australian beef industry ambassador in several international forums in the US and Canada, and was selected for exchange programs including the University of Illinois Scholarship, Angus Australia Trans-Tasman Exchange, and the Texas A&M Exchange. She is interested in how genetic selection can contribute to more sustainable practices that help to optimise efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Samuel Martin brings to CA some 20 years’ experience in the beef industry which includes roles in farming, stock and station agency, and corporate agriculture.
Based at Walcha, NSW, he and his wife Jodie also run the Southcote Shorthorn Stud in conjunction with a large-scale trading and backgrounding enterprise.
Samuel was previously the Technical Director for Shorthorn Beef, responsible for rolling out Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) to members, and developed a paddock to plate carcase project with a range of industry partners.
Samuel’s key areas of interest are providing greater access to whole herd performance recording for commercial producers, and young farmer livestock lending, to provide opportunities for cashflow for people without beef cattle enterprises.
Samuel was selected as one of the inaugural recipients of CA’s National Beef Leaders program.
Hannah Gibb is a third generation seedstock producer employed as Operations Manager for Nbryo, a company seeking to transform beef and dairy production systems globally through a platform of technologies that enable a new breeding system through the in vitro production of bovine embryos. In her former role with AA Co, Hannah spent four years managing complex systems across the supply chain, including supply and operational planning, feedlot forecasting and processing schedules, internal feedlot cattle movements and flows, feedlot commodity usage and purchasing. She sees a need for better data system development and integration across both the grass and grain-fed beef industries. Hannah is currently co-ordinator for NZ Hereford Youth (remotely) and NZ Team Manager for the 2025 World Hereford Conference Young Breeder Competition in the US.
Will Evans brings extensive leadership, advocacy and policy experience to the role of Cattle Australia CEO.
Prior to joining CA in July 2025, he held the role of CEO of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association.
Prior to leading the NTCA, Will held industry positions in the areas of policy development with the former Cattle Council of Australia and for the Northern Territory Live Exporters Association.
Garry was born and raised on a commercial beef cattle property south of Gloucester in New South Wales. Garry has personal cattle production interests in this region today as well as his corporate role as the Managing Director and CEO of AAM, a business that has a significant focus in continuing to expand beyond our cattle production interests in Central West NSW, near Forbes and Bective Station near Tamworth, NSW.
Garry has over 25 years’ experience in large scale livestock production management within the Australian agribusiness sector. His experience spans across a vast array of areas of the agricultural supply chain and includes managing businesses involved in livestock breeding, growing and finishing, financing of agricultural projects, implementation of precision agriculture practices, investigation and implementation of sustainability and innovation initiatives and developing and operating integrated agricultural businesses.
In 2007, Garry founded the company that today is AAM, commencing the development, operation and management of a portfolio of agricultural assets valued at $887 million and he remains the major shareholder of AAM.
Garry has a unique skill set across multiple facets of the grass-fed cattle production supply chain, from production through to finishing, as well as a unique perspective of the challenges facing all grass-fed producers within Australia through his involvement in the modernisation and development of livestock marketing facilities throughout Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
George is married with four (4) children, Harry 24, Emma 22, Dave 15 and Tom 13. He also enjoys flying and has his pilot’s license.
George is also a Founding Director of The Wellness House and a Founding Director of ONFARM CO. He has a strong voluntary involvement with his community including as the NSW Rural Fire Services Senior Dept Capt. and Chairman of St Paul’s Carcoar.
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 CEO of the group for the past eight 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” Station in north Queensland Bryce undertook a dual degree in Business Administration and Communications at Bond University and is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program as well as the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.
Bryce is currently the Chairman of Beef Australia Ltd and the Immediate Past President of the Australian Lot Feeders Council, as well as a previous Director of the Red Meat Advisory Council.
Elke Cleverdon is an experienced non-executive director and long-term cattle producer from Harden in regional NSW.
As Joint Owner & Director of Cleverdon Agriculture since 1993, she has managed a self-replacing Black Angus herd, raising and trading cattle with her family. Her deep connection to the land ensures she brings a genuine producer perspective to national industry leadership.
Elke has chaired Cattle Australia’s Audit & Risk Committee for the past three years, strengthening governance, financial accountability, and member confidence during a critical stage of the organisation’s development. She is passionate about ensuring producers have a strong, credible voice and that their interests are advanced in a fair, profitable, and sustainable supply chain.
Her professional background includes more than 16 years in executive leadership in customer-owned banking and eight years as a rural financial coach, supporting farming businesses across NSW. She has also been recognised nationally through the National Farmers’ Federation Diversity in Ag Leadership program.
Elke currently serves as a non-executive director with Horticulture Innovation Australia, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (NSW Health), and SWS Bank. She is a Fellow CPA, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds a Master of Business Administration.
Elke brings critical thinking, strong financial and risk management skills, and a passion for strategy and sustainability. She is committed to advancing the long-term interests of Australia’s cattle producers by ensuring Cattle Australia remains a trusted, effective, and transparent advocate for the industry.
Nominated by: Peter Hall, Troy Setter, Bryce Camm, David Hill, Adam Coffey
For the past 45 years, David has held rural property management, executive and senior management positions across all mainland states in areas of; beef cattle & sheep breeding, growing and lot feeding, meat retailing, small seed growing, irrigated fodder, and the further processing and exporting of primary products such as meat, grain and fodder.
His export experiences which started in 1989 included a role with Stanbroke Pastoral Company to help develop Stanbroke’ s Live cattle export program. Additionally, David managed the integration of Bottle Tree feedlot grain feeding in the production system while developing and launching their now globally recognised Diamantina beef brand.
David has been in a leadership role at the Lee Family’s, Australian Country Choice group of Companies since 1999 and progressed in that time from General Manager Properties & Livestock to Group Managing Director until stepping back in December 2020 from a full time role to a strategic advisory and board role.
Headquartered in Brisbane and employing over 1,400 staff across 42 operations, Australian Country Choice (ACC) operates Australia’s largest vertically integrated beef supply chain; encompassing cattle breeding, cattle growing and feedlotting to supply its integrated food processing facility in Brisbane that incorporates beef slaughter, beef boning, value-adding and case ready beef packing.
ACC’s cattle property portfolio of around 4 million acres in Queensland & NSW encompasses operations from the Barkly Tableland, CQ coalfields, Carnarvon ranges, Augathella, Blackall, Roma, and Moonie districts of Queensland, with a carrying capacity of 300,000 head. of cattle to support the Company’s 3 feedlots.
Additionally, David represents Agricultural & Cattle industry interests in his role as; Non-Government member Australia Indonesia Red Meat & Cattle Partnership, member SmartSat CRC, member Cattle Australia -Policy Council, member Australian Meat Industry Council -China & Halal Trade Groups, Chair Workplace Health & Safety Queensland -Rural Industry Sector Standing Committee, Deputy Chair Laguna Bay Pastoral investment committee and Board Member lnventia Genetic Technologies (IGT).
Away from work David has a small cattle property in the Mt Kilcoy (Qld) district running Charolais & Charbray breeders to the delight of his four grandchildren.
David wishes to continue into a second term to help build a strong and successful Cattle Australia to represent the interest of all cattle producers
