Specialist agricultural insurer Achmea Australia, supported by strategic alliance partner Angus Australia, will host an interactive panel session called “Supporting the next generation of beef leaders” on Monday at Beef24.
2022 GenAngus Future Leader Jack Laurie is a sixth-generation livestock producer from Moppy , NSW, and will take part in the panel session. It will be his third time attending Beef, but his first time on a panel.
Driven by his passion for genetics, Mr Laurie founded Breeder Genetics in 2019, a company dedicated to creating a breeder-to-breeder genetic platform and providing support to producers in enhancing their genetic gain.
Mr Laurie has actively participated in various Angus and other youth events over the years. He strongly believes in the importance of youth programs for the industry’s continuity and sustainability.
He said his key learnings from the GenAngus program were recognising and mitigating financial risks, as well as how to deal with mental constraints and get the most out of yourself.
“Strong mind leads you to make strong decisions,” he said.
“I think it will be really important for the people coming to the sessions that they realise that there’s an insurance company out there investing in young people in agriculture,” he said.
Achmea Australia Chief Executive Officer, Emma Thomas, will also be part of the panel, to be held on Monday, May 6 at 9.45am-11.15am with limited tickets available.
“I firmly believe it is crucial to support, enable and invest in young people to drive a prosperous future for the beef industry,” Ms Thomas said.
“The next generation brings fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a passion for taking the industry to the next level.
“That is why we co-founded the GenAngus Future Leaders Program with Angus Australia, to help develop and empower young leaders in the beef industry.”
GenAngus has become one of the leading development programs for young people in the beef industry and by the end of May this year, the program will have supported around 65 young beef leaders.
This is now a growing community of GenAngus alumni that is leaning on, supporting, challenging each other, and making a meaningful impact on their own farms and the beef sector more broadly.
Ms Thomas’ key message at Beef24 will be: the world is your oyster.
“Whether we’re young and emerging or more established leaders, we must continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, embrace challenges, and strive for innovation,” she said.
“It’s important not to hold ourselves back from what our potential is and settle for anything less than what we are truly capable of.
“Every day presents new challenges and opportunities for growth and innovation, particularly in the face of challenges such as carbon reporting, succession planning, changing weather patterns, and food security concerns.
“By embracing these challenges together, through a passionate and engaged community of GenAngus alumni, the next generation can pave the way for a sustainable and successful future in the beef industry. That is something we can all be excited about.”
Journalist Arlie Felton-Taylor will facilitate the forum.
Other speakers will include:
2023 GenAngus Future Leader, Ed Bradley, from Hazeldean Angus and Merino Stud in Cooma, NSW. His passion is all things animal livestock and measuring genetic gain.
2023 GenAngus Future Leader, Hannah Powe, and her family own and operate Goondoola Livestock at Cargo in the Central West of NSW. She is the NSW Genomics Territory Manager at Neogen Australasia.
2022 GenAngus Future Leader Nancy Crawshaw developed a passion for agriculture and genetics growing up on her parents’ sheep, beef, and Angus Stud property in Nuhaka, Northen Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. She is an Extension Officer with Angus Australia.
Angus Australia Extension Manager, Jake Phillips, based in Naracoorte, South Australia. Jake and his wife run Phillips Cattle Company, a registered cattle business. As the 2023 Arthur Rickards Young Breed Leaders award recipient, Jake completed a five-week beef study tour of the United States in early 2024.
Supporting the next generation of beef leaders will be held at Beef24 on Monday, May 6, from 9.45am to 11.15am at James Lawrence A.
Visit https://tickets.beefaustralia.com.au/tickets/beef-australia-seminar-program for ticketing information.
