Scholarship winner announced

Jake Phillips, a young man with a deep passion for breeding the very best cattle he can, is the 2023 Arthur Rickards Scholarship winner.

Announced at the recent ARCBA Young Beef Leaders Workshop in Brisbane, Jake's qualities propelled him to an interview short-list, where he further impressed the judging panel with his industry experience, vision and goals.

The scholarship will support an extensive education tour of the United States for Jake where he will plans to visit the Denver National Western Stock Show, Kansas State and Illinois Universities and the American Angus Association, as well as Cattle Con.

Congratulations Jake, and stay tuned for updates on Jake's travel diary & experiences!

Industry identity retiring after lifetime career

ARCBA Executive Director, Alex McDonald, was acknowledged for his lifetime contribution to Australia's beef industry at the 2023 Paddock to Palate Awards dinner at the EKKA in August.

There could not have been a more fitting occasion to thank Alex for his dedication and contribution.

Alex started his career as a beef adviser in the Victorian Department of Agriculture before being seconded to ABRI as the National Coordinator of field operations for BREEDPLAN.

From there he was appointed as CEO of the Limousin Association which position he held for 22 years. In this time he also furthered his work in carcass quality and more recently in genomics and performed a mentoring role in SBTS. At the end of his appointment he took on a two year assignment as Managing Director of ABRI and has represented ARCBA on the Cattle Council, Animal Health, Welfare and Biosecurity advisory committee for the last six years.

The culmination of this work saw him as recipient of ARCBA's prestigious RW Vincent award for outstanding services to the cattle breeding industry. More recently he has the part time role as editor of the Genetics section of Beef Central.

ARCBA extends their warmest wishes to Alex, wife Judy, and family, a happy and healthy retirement enjoying the 'good life'!