Meet the Central Queensland Alumni

PROJECT MANAGER AND MAIAGRAZING SUPPORT

BEng(civil)

I am part of a family breeding and backgrounding grass-fed cattle business in central Qld. I have worked as an engineer, project manager and lately on a part-time basis in the MaiaGrazing support team. I am passionate about regenerative agriculture with our goal being to have a productive cattle business whilst continually improving our soil and land. I am the president of our local hall committee and have an interest in vegetable gardens and improving supply chains to encourage local produce in regional areas.

I am currently working on a property an hour west of Rockhampton for the Australian Agricultural Company. My focus is the day-to-day running of the property, I am also involved in decision-making discussions and planning for the property, I have worked here since the start of 2023. The property consists of 2 neighbouring blocks which are approx. 30,000 acres it has a small feedlot and we plant forage crops under 3 centre pivots, so there’s a lot of variety! Over the last 2 years since I started the ABL program I have had some changes and challenges in my life, both professionally and personally. The program has helped me with mental resilience and is a great support network. Prior to starting the program, I was a Senior Land Management Officer at natural resource management organisation, Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) for over 4 years where my role was advising CQ landholders on grazing management, erosion mitigation and incentive funding options.

My name is James Kent, I run alongside my wife our own (seed stock & commercial) cattle operation “Kent Beef” and in 2018 alongside my brother we started our own pasture renovation business “Agvanced”. Day to day I spend my time either working on my own or our family’s cattle operation or working in all aspects of our pasture renovation business from operating to admin. Previously to this, I worked as a livestock agent and auctioneer for Elders Rural Services in Moura and Theodore, Sourcing and Marketing EU Grain cattle for NBC Beef pty ltd and for Woody Weed Management which cleared vegetation along major powerlines throughout CQ. Outside of all this, I really enjoy most sports including but not limited to rugby, cricket, and golf. My wife Cass and I are expecting our first child in October this year.

JP, DipAgMang, CertIVFin

A Central Queensland grazier and proud owner/operator of a beef trading business at “Moonkan Park’, Bushley with my husband (Matt) and our two young children (Jack, 6 & Ella, 4). Kristie’s primary role within their operation is maintaining the financial and administration components of their business, operating their local school bus service and caring for their two young children. Although these are her main responsibilities, her passion of working within the beef industry also leads her into other various aspects of their operation. Kristie is a 2022 graduate of the Advanced Beef Leaders Program, holds a Diploma of Agribusiness Management and a qualified Bookkeeper with over 11 years financial and administration experience throughout mining, labour hire and agriculture industries.

Kristie has recently be a guest speaker at the 2023 National Drought Forum and 2023 Science to Practice discussing her drought preparedness and experience of Advanced Beef Leaders.

PRINCIPAL – ESSEX GRAZING COMPANY

A grassfed beef producing specialist with a passion for sustainability. Alongside my Parents, we operate an 8,000-head crossbreeding and fattening enterprise over four properties in CQ and NQ. Focusing on the sustainable production of a premium quality grassfed beef article targeting MSA, EUCAS and PCAS markets. Striving to produce the highest quality carcase, whilst optimising the equilibrium between genetics, pasture quality and climatic factors has lead to a strong interest in benchmarking, carcase competitions and legume development.

I was born and bred in Capella in the Central Highlands, where I continue to be involved with my family’s beef breeding and grain growing property. My family has been breeding Brahman cattle since the 1950s and this is where my passion lies. By following this passion in 2018 I was fortunate to be the recipient of the Samuel and Eileen Gluyas Winston Churchill Fellowship. My project and ongoing Fellowship saw me travel across the USA researching with the view of actively advancing the increase of the domestic marketability of Brahman cattle through improved marketing and genetics. More recently I was selected and became part of the Livestock Leaders alumni, sponsored by MLA in conjunction with the Livestock Collective to actively promote the livestock industry and supply chains by engaging with the consuming public. Along the way, I have also held positions of Revenue Supervisor within Local Government and, also that of Returning Officer for the Queensland Electoral Commission. Outside of this I advocate for rural issues and liaise with politicians at the state and federal level with regards to regulations and policies relating to rural and regional communities and agricultural, fishing and forestry issues.

AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT & VETERINARY BUSINESS OWNER

B.App.Sci – Rural Tech (Hons), G.Cert. Bus Admin & Man

Ross is an innovative Beef Production system specialist dedicated to advancing Northern Beef production systems. With a fifth-generation irrigated property on the flood plains of Rockhampton, he leads by example, showcasing sustainable practices. Ross boasts a diverse career, spanning crop and pasture agronomy, tropical pasture cultivar development, property development and planning, decision-making coaching, and professional mentoring.

His mission is to empower producers to leave a positive environmental impact while optimizing animal welfare and productivity. While Ross has previously contributed to community groups like Kindergartens and Pony Clubs, he is now poised for an industry role that can drive substantial change.

Beyond his professional endeavours, Ross balances his commitment to clients with supporting his wife, Bridget's Gracemere Veterinary Surgery. He can often be found on his tractor, preparing "Setup to fail" pasture trials, or attending show jumping competitions with his eldest daughter, Sydney.

MANAGING DIRECTOR – DONOVAN CATTLE CO

Sarah has worked for many years across her parents’ mixed cattle and cropping enterprise based in Central Queensland and in particular, their feedlotting business. She also spent time away from the family property working for numerous grain trading organizations including working as a shipping and logistics manager for a large multinational with a focus on the movement and containerization of grain and pulses from Australia to the Middle East and South-East Asia. She completed a Bachelor of Applied Science through the University of Queensland externally and has continued post grad education via short courses in data analytics and data visualization.

She has been involved in numerous ag-related groups and has a passion for technology, particularly Agtech and automation. More recently, Sarah has commenced the development of an agrochemical traceability platform with a leading digital traceability company based in Melbourne with a pilot program to kick off later in 2023.

4TH GENERATION GRAZIER AND STATION HAND, EMERALD QLD

Steve, his wife and two sons, have a cattle breeding and trading operation in central and western Queensland. Additionally, he works as a station hand for his parents’ cattle business. Steve is passionate about building a future in the beef industry for generations to come through sustainable regenerative agriculture, better business practices and stronger communities. He also has a strong interest in working dogs and low stress stock handling. Steve is the president of the local community recreational club at Lochington. He runs a local tennis social comp, as well as coaching around 15 primary school kids. Additionally, Steve has a real desire to connect the city to the bush through education and potential investment opportunities.

BAppSc - Rural Technology (Hons), Grad. Cert. Rural Systems Management.

With over 25 years of experience in crop and pasture agronomy primarily in central Queensland, I currently work full time at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) in Rockhampton as a pasture agronomist. My main and current role is to coordinate the DAF Pasture Dieback program across Queensland. I also support graziers to improve the productivity of their pastures through legume augmentation, fertiliser use, or other renovation techniques. Over the last 12 years or so I have developed specialised knowledge of perennial legume production systems, especially leucaena. I have developed close working relationships with grain producers and graziers in central Queensland, and have successfully collaborated with consultants, industry groups and government agencies both within Queensland and other states. Outside work, I am married with four school-aged kids. We live on a small property south of Rockhampton where we run a small beef breeding and fattening enterprise. This consists of around 35 Brangus X Wagyu breeding females, a full blood Wagyu bull, and progeny.

A veterinarian with 10 years of experience as a mixed practitioner. I was raised on a grazing/farming operation in Central Queensland (CQ) where I now reside assisting in the day-to-day operations while also providing a veterinary service to the local community and surrounds. My profession has given me endless opportunities to work and travel. Over the years it has seen my role morph from pregnancy testing thousands of brahmans in the north, to managing the household cavalry horses in London, to advising the Guernsey dairy breed’s original studs on the Channel Islands and everything mixed practice can throw at you in between. Outside work, I love spending time with family and friends. I enjoy travelling (where/when allowed) and continue to use my profession to get away on ‘working holidays’ to explore our beautiful backyard of Australia. Although not an avid camper, I enjoy the outdoors and can frequently be found with a camera around my neck attempting to capture it in all its natural glory.