Cattle Australia (CA) has announced its 2025-26 National Beef Leaders (NBL) participants, who have been chosen for their potential to become future champions of the industry.

The seven recipients who will join the customised skills and leadership development program were selected from a suite of outstanding applicants from across Australia.

CA chief executive Will Evans says the NBL program is designed to attract and retain exceptional people and empower them to become leaders in their chosen fields within the industry.

“The calibre of applicants which our selection panels were challenged to choose from shows the incredible depth of talent and passion for the industry among the young people of rural and regional Australia,” Will says.

“Those selected have already proven they are capable, focused and committed to the beef industry; the NBL program will help them take their careers to the next level through a series of face-to-face training workshops covering leadership, policy development, corporate governance and media engagement.”

The seven NBL program participants will also join in CA activities, including meeting with Ministers and government officials at Parliament House and mentoring to connect them to leading figures along the beef supply chain.

The 2025 national beef leaders are:

• Lewis Crothers, owner/director of Crothers Cattle Company, Matheson, NSW.
• Liam Mowbray, research scientist at Angus Australia, cattle veterinarian and owner of Marlea Angus, Barrington, NSW.
• Tyla Comerford, central sales representative with StockLive, Dubbo, NSW.
• Teagan Lawrence, extension officer (carbon) in extensive livestock systems team at the Department of Primary Industries, Charters Towers, Queensland.
• Mia Doering, safety and welfare business partner, Consolidated Pastoral Company, Tansey, Queensland.
• Larry Farquhar, director and manager of Calco Qld, and manager of Eljay Droughtmasters stud and associated commercial herds, Rolleston, Queensland.
• Ben Reardon, station manager, Cloncurry, Queensland.

The NBL program is CA’s flagship leadership initiative and is designed for people aged between 21 and 35 years who are established in their careers and ready to take the next step in leadership and advocacy.

“By developing the skills of these innovative young leaders, who will bring a fresh attitude to new challenges, CA is securing a strong and sustainable future for the beef industry,” Will says.

Applicants were judged on the following criteria:

• Capacity to represent the Australian beef industry.
• Leadership capacity, in presentation and in conduct, over the course of the program.
• Beef industry knowledge.
• Presentation skills.

More information on the NBL program is available at www.cattleaustralia.com.au