On 13 & 14 November 2025, the 21st annual Young Beef Producers’ Forum was held in Roma, this year aptly themed “Paddock to Possibility”.
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 its continuation. Today, it is the premier event in providing educational, capacity building and networking event for youth in the beef industry; encouraging not only young producers, but also complementary service providers, to attend a conference focussed on equipping them with the tools necessary to bolster their career in the industry.
This year was no exception, with the 2025 YBPF Committee organising and delivering an outstanding event featuring for the first time a live carcass breakdown, commentated in real-time by Dr. Peter McGilchrist, Sophie Cooper and Rod Nothling, and a “Beef, Bucks and Better Decisions” business workshop, presented by David Cornish and Nick Howard from Marcus Oldham College. Many dynamic speakers presented to the 250+ crowd of delegates, including Richard Rains, Rob McGavin (Cobram Estate), Aline Teixeira (Wise Repro), Jimmy Bellingham (Bellingham Contract Mustering) and Roger Hill (Preston Rowe Paterson), just to name a few. The event saw “The First Time Farmer”, Katie Nash, MC for the first time, and thanks to the support of the Rabobank Client Council, attendees had the opportunity to access free skin checks during the event.
FFN was also proud to this year have supported the attendance of the inaugural Tim Emery Bursary recipient, Zoe Sibley. The Tim Emery Bursary was established last year, the 20th anniversary of YBPF, with the aim of financially supporting the attendance of one young person each year. As a new entrant to the beef industry, hailing from Victoria and based in a remote north-west Queensland location, we were thrilled to be able to support Zoe in attending YBPF, whilst acknowledging Tim Emery’s tireless efforts in making YBPF what it is today.
At the annual YBPF Cocktail Party on Thursday evening, a spot of rain did not dampen spirits, with over $24,000 was raised for the Royal Flying Doctors Services as part of the annual Charity Auction.
This remarkable event would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the 2025 YBPF Committee, – Harry Mackenzie, Sally Argue, Jess Paton, Trent Jackson, Georgia Waters, Izzy Graham, Josie Copley and Janine Firth, led by Treasurer Sally Finch, Vice Chair Maddie Morgan, and Chair Tom Copley. In her speech, FFN Chair Lauren Roellgen said that “you (the YPBF Committee members) are all exemplary leaders in your own right, and we are all grateful for your passion, commitment and dedication; you are proof that the beef industry is in excellent hands.”.
As always, YBPF would not be possible without the invaluable support of all its sponsors and supporters, for which FFN and the YBPF Committee are sincerely grateful.
