Developing next generation beef leaders to impact and influence within the rangelands

The Australian northern beef industry faces significant challenges in environmental stewardship, economic sustainability, and human resilience. The next generation of industry leaders must understand, develop, advocate for, and implement solutions to these issues. To support this process, Advancing Beef Leaders (ABL) was launched in 2020, as a joint initiative led by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI), and supported by private sector collaborators. A capacity building program, ABL aims to develop groups of emerging producer and community leaders who are skilled and enthused to pursue positive change in their industry, regions, and personal businesses. The focus of the program is to overlay relevant beef industry technical content with appropriate personal development, governance, and communication skills; encouraging participants to build stronger peer and mentor networks and spark the confidence needed to influence effectively in their businesses, community, and industry. By mid-2023, from 53 past participants there were 22 appointments to community and industry committees within two years of finishing their ABL programs. Also from the 53 participants were 45 examples of leadership progress such as applying for a higher-level leadership program, progressing careers, and getting directly involved as a co-operator in industry RD&E. Graduates have reported applying ABL learnings to their beef businesses, including adoption of on-property improved practices, better financial literacy, focus on drought resilience and business planning, earlier attention to family succession, and improved communications. Recently, another 22 new participants were selected for the 2024/2025 cohort. Advancing Beef Leaders has proved to be a program that opens pathways to leadership, enhances industry impact and adoption, and develops influence for graduates. With a growing interest from across Australia, the ABL program is excited to begin expansion nationally.