20th Young Beef Producers’ Forum
On 14 & 15 November, the 20th annual Young Beef Producers’ Forum was held in Roma with a program centred on the theme “Looking forward, looking back”.
YBPF was established by local young producers Justin Boshammer and Al Brown in 2004, with FFN taking on its facilitation over ten years ago to ensure that young individuals who were either already involved in the beef industry, or were looking for an opportunity to engage, were given a safe space to learn and network.
This year was no different, with the 2024 YBPF Committee organising and delivering an outstanding event featuring presentations from Julie McDonald (MDH), Angus & Sally McGilvray (Womblebank), Eustie Hill (Tooloombilla Partnership), Professor Ben Hayes, Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC, and the Hon. David Littleproud MP just to name a few, with the event kicking off at a property tour to ACC’s Brindley Park Feedlot.
At the annual YBPF Cocktail Party on Thursday evening, over $15,000 was raised for the Lachlan Hughes Foundation as part of the Charity Auction; and in celebration of 20-years of YBPF, the FFN Board and 2024 YBPF Committee were delighted to announce the establishment of The Tim Emery Bursary.
This remarkable event would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the 2024 YBPF Committee, – Harry Mackenzie, Lucy McGilvray, Imogen Ryan, Nick Whip, Sally Finch, Jess Paton, and Janine Firth led by Vice Chair Maddie Morgan, and Chair Tom Copley. In her speech, FFN Chair Caitlin McConnel said that it had “been a honour for the FFN Board to support (the YBPF Committee’s) passion and commitment, and (the FFN Board) are extraordinarily proud of the way in which (they) have not only facilitated (the) event with such professionalism – but have also demonstrated the seamless way in which success comes naturally to those who actively choose to work collaboratively and continue to learn (together)”.
As always, YBPF would not be possible without the invaluable support of all its sponsors, for which FFN and the YBPF Committee are truly grateful. Here’s to the next 20-years of YBPF!