An internationally renowned innovator, a business leader driving innovation and digital adaptation, and the principal of Bush AgriBusiness are among the quality nominees lining up for the QCL Beef Achiever of the Year award to be presented at Beef Australia 2018.
Seven finalists have been considered by judges.
They include Dr Christine Pitt, who has spent 20 years with Meat and Livestock Australia, as both the CEO of the group’s donor company and as the general manager of Value Chain Innovation.
The funds brought in have helped develop automation in lamb processing and boning, as just one example of the world-leading AgTech portfolio.
Another of the four women nominated is OBE Organic managing director, Dalene Wray, originally from the Channel Country, who has worked on a number of fronts, through Grazing BMP, a Reconciliation Action Plan, and as a member of the Telstra Qld Regional Advisory Council, to improve the sustainability of beef supply chains.
Fellow Queenslander, Ian McLean, has had a special interest in the overall performance of beef businesses, whether family-owned or corporate, through his Bush Agribusiness advisory firm, and helped develop the current MLA BusinessEDGE course, delivering it to over 400 northern beef producers.
A Queensland producer, Kaylene Wonka operates a paddock to plate operation, backgrounding weaners on homegrown leucaena, and claimed the MLA 2017 Queensland/NT Most Outstanding MSA Producer title.
A former NSW Rural Woman of the Year, Lorraine Gordon has led Farming Together, which offers funding and expert support to beef producers for the investigation of a range of issues.
Another nominee, Rob Sinnamon is no stranger to the beef scene, receiving both Young Rural Queenslander award in 1987 and NSW Farmer of the Year in 2007, and whose career has covered management and development of corporate and family business interests.
The final nominee is Dr Rod Polkinghorne OAM, a pioneer of the eating quality grading program, Meat Standards Australia, which has had worldwide impact.
The award will be announced at dinner on Monday, May 7.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
