Amanda Giles, South Australia.
Young South Australian grass fed beef producer Amanda Giles has urged this year’s NAB Agribusiness Rising Champion finalists to embrace the opportunities offered under the initiative.
“It is important we have young people taking on the opportunities available to become strong advocates for the beef industry,’’ Miss Giles said.
“Make the most of this chance to meet other like-minded people within the beef industry from across the country.’’
Miss Giles, 28, said maintaining and building upon those networks made during Rising Champions was important.
The NAB Agribusiness Rising Champions Initiative aims to inspire, empower and support young people, giving them an opportunity to have input on the issues challenging the red meat supply chain.
Interviews are underway and the state finalists will attend a three-day program in Canberra on August 22-24, covering leadership skills and personal development.
This will include a session with life coach Catherine Marriott on effective communication, leadership and relationship building.
Finalists will network with key decision makers from the Federal Department of Agriculture and be taken on a private tour of parliament house.
The national winner will be announced at a gala dinner at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra, on August 24.
A recipient of the Australian Beef Industry Foundation Scholarship, Miss Giles was the South Australian finalist in 2014.
During this year’s Cattle Council Rural Awareness Tour, she worked with Livestock SA to host a producer forum on the family farm to identify local issues.
Miss Giles is passionate about farmers having their voice heard through forums and social media, and has more than 2,000 followers on her Instagram account.
When friends began sharing shock factor memes on social media, she was prompted to begin uploading images portraying the positive side of farming and beef production.
“Although many of my Instagram followers are peri-urban residents interested in agriculture, or grew up in a regional area, they have become detached from it,’’ Miss Giles said.
“For every negative picture put out there, farmers should be putting across the positive side.
“Often these (negative) images are not the reality of what is happening on-farm, particularly around pasturefed cattle.
“It is important for people to realise cattle are free range on pasture – sometimes the belief of how cattle are raised is skewed.’’
Miss Giles applied for the Rising Champions Initiative to gain a better understanding of the strategic planning and advocacy undertaken on behalf of beef producers
“I knew a little of Cattle Council through PCAS (Pasturefed Cattle Assurance System) so it was an opportunity to see what Cattle Council do,’’ she said.
“I now continue to serve on the Council’s animal health, welfare and biosecurity committee and aim to remain connected – you can never stop learning and never know what opportunities are around the corner.’’
The 2016 NAB Agribusiness Rising Champion will attend the International Beef Alliance conference in New Zealand on October 18-21, 2016.
The runner-up will receive a scholarship to the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership program provided by the Australian Beef Industry Foundation.
