Angus Youth and its partner Achmea may have unlocked the next generation of industry leaders after confirming the latest intake for the GenAngus Future Leaders Program.
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Ten young men and women from New South Wales and Victoria will participate in the program in Melbourne from March 18-20, hearing from industry experts and joining activities aimed at sharpening their business skills.
Katie Fisher, Wallarobba, Ellenor Nixon, Merriwa, Samuel Finlayson, near Armidale, Damien Thomson, Berremangra, and Lachlan Woods, Estella, are from NSW while Alkira Riley, Koonwarra, Rebecca Rundell, Branxholme, Brodie Collins, Tennyson, Hugh McKay, Yea, and Brenton Sessions, Balmutton, are from Victoria.
Each is thrilled with the opportunity ahead.
Besides the intensive, three-day workshop, each of the program participants will embark on a 12-month leadership journey.
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Angus Australia Youth Development Officer Candice Liddle said the program boasted an "an excellent group of participants" who could derive numerous benefits.
"As young members of the beef industry (they) are dedicated to using this opportunity to further progress their personal and professional development within the industry in order to benefit their beef businesses," Mrs Liddle said.
"Each participant comes from a different stage and background within their careers and I look forward to working to facilitate a program that provides great opportunity in the development of young future leaders in the beef industry."
Achmea CEO Emma Thomas has congratulated the group, saying: "This unique 12-month leadership program articulates Achmea's international history of excellence and knowledge sharing, spanning two centuries.
"We are thrilled to continue to work with Angus Australia and support a program that will shape the beef industry for years to come.
"It has been a catastrophic summer for our agricultural communities, many of which have also had to deal with the harsh effects of the prolonged drought. Initiatives such as the GenAngus Program are important in supporting the long-term resilience of our sector.
"The GenAngus program is about strengthening the beef sector and boosting the opportunities for the next generation of leaders, their families and communities right across Australia."
Lori Vamvas, Achmea Regional Manager for Southern Australia, said the applications were of a "very high calibre" and the interest in the 2020 GenAngus program had been "remarkable".
"Achmea looks forward to working with the successful 2020 GenAngus applicants to help fast-track their careers in the sector," she said.
"We wish the participants a rewarding and enjoyable experience."
The GenAngus Program has been designed to support members of Angus Australia, aged 18-40, to either start their own beef business or grow their existing business and further develop skills to become future beef industry leaders.
The 2020 workshop will comprise presentations as diverse as risk and liability business writing, herd genetics, finance and beef benchmarking as well as marketing, branding and succession planning.
The 2020 workshop will comprise presentations as diverse as risk and liability business writing, herd genetics, finance and beef benchmarking as well as marketing, branding and succession planning.
Katie Fisher
Ms Fisher, Wallarobba, NSW, was brought up on an Angus commercial and stud operation and was showing cattle from a young age.
Recently she started her own small Angus herd, splitting her time between growing the business and working full time for a local stock and station agency.
Through her involvement in the GenAngus Future Leadership Program, Ms Fisher looks to further develop her personal skills in order to support her future endeavours for her business.
Rebecca Rundell
Ms Rundell, Branxholme, Victoria, manages Shady Park Angus and through her involvement in the GenAngus Program she hopes to learn about risk management brought on by seasonal variations as well as integrating software and accounting systems aid marketing.
"I want to gain further direction for small business management and implement new skills to apply to my current business to ensure long term sustainability," she said.
Samuel Finlayson
Samuel Finlayson, was brought up on a cattle property based near Armidale, NSW, where the family developed Verified Black Angus Beef brand Three Creek Beef.
He believes networking with other like-minded individuals and business professionals will be an "invaluable opportunity for further development".
Lachlan Woods
Lachlan Woods, Estella, NSW, is mixing his time between studies in veterinary science at Charles Sturt University and assisting in the family operation near Bylong, NSW, where they run an Angus cow herd and Black Suffolk ewes.
Mr Woods believes GenAngus will assist in his development within the industry.
"I believe the aims of the GenAngus Program are in tune with my personal goals of improving my understanding of business benchmarking, financials, and marketing my business," he said.
Brodie Collins
Brodie Collins, Tennyson, Victoria, works on his family's Merridale Angus Stud as he develops his own beef business.
He hopes the GenAngus Program helps him understand the administrative processes of the industry.
"There are numerous opportunities to make money and promote a company but at the moment I don't know how to do that or understand the best way," he said.
"I want to learn how to effect change in the industry, in particular in my own herd."
Brenton Sessions
Brenton Sessions, Balmutton, Victoria, has developed a 100 head Angus stud while simultaneously running a genetics business, marketing semen and embryos.
He hopes to utilise the networking opportunities through the GenAngus Program.
"I feel the opportunity to network with people is always beneficial and no doubt there will be plenty to learn along the way," he said.
Alkira Riley
Alkira Riley, Koonwarra, Victoria, hopes her involvement in the GenAngus program enables her to understand business planning and budgets.
At the moment she works as a trainee stock agent and has begun her own Angus stud with HBR cattle utilising embryo transfer.
She wants to further develop herself and her business in the coming years and eventually sell high quality bulls while building her cow herd.
"I want to set up a successful enterprise and learn as much as possible to do so."
Ellenor Nixon
Ellenor Nixon, Merriwa, NSW, said the GenAngus Program presented a "unique opportunity" to gain, upgrade and enhance her skills in goal setting, marketing, risk management and benchmarking.
Aside from expanding her agricultural and business skills, she wants to progress to a full-time management role in her family's breeding enterprise.
Damien Thomas
Damien Thomas, Berremangra, NSW, helps manage the herds at his family's commercial and seedstock Angus operations.
"The GenAngus Program will give me opportunity to develop skills and knowledge that I will directly take to the family Angus stud to improve business and set it up for the next future steps," he said.
"It will also give me the unique opportunity to network and discuss ideas with speakers and other participants."
Hugh McKay
Hugh McKay, Yea, Victoria, manages a commercial Angus stud running 500 head and is operating a small-scale business trading cattle.
He plans to have a commercial beef breeding enterprise, with a focus on utilising genetics to drive business decisions.
Mr McKay wants to develop skills to help him make sound business decisions and said the program would help him share ideas.