Jack Jansen and Brooke Barnes headed to BeefEx
The Australian Lot Feeders Association’s BeefEx conference is well renowned for drawing together a wide variety of industry experts and others involved in the grain fed industry and beef supply chains from both domestic and international beef markets, and provides a deep dive into leadership, economics, innovation and the power of influencing.
In 2022, the Angus Foundation is pleased to be awarding two scholarships to the 2022 BeefEx conference to young beef industry members Jack Jansen and Brooke Barnes. BeefEx will take place from the 18th-20th of October in Brisbane, Qld.
Angus Australia Extension Manager Jake Phillips explained that both Jack and Brooke displayed a desire to expand their knowledge of the grain fed beef industry to assist them in furthering their future careers in the industry.
“The purpose of the Angus Foundation BeefEx scholarships is to increase our recipient’s knowledge of the Australian feedlotting industry and the beef industry as a whole and allow them to develop their professional networks and personal skills.
“Both Jack and Brooke highlighted their aspirations to utilise the conference as an opportunity to further themselves professionally and personally.
“I believe that both of the recipients will represent themselves and Angus Australia very well and will find themselves taking a lot away from the conference that will most definitely assist in putting them in good stead as they grow in our industry.”
Each of the recipients will be required to complete a full trip report regarding their experience at BeefEx, which will be available to read in the 2023 Summer Angus Bulletin.
Jack and Brooke will be joined by 2021 SmartBeef scholarship recipients Georgia Laurie and Phoebe Christie, who will be attending the 2022 event following the cancelling of the scheduled conference in 2021.
About the recipients
Jack Jansen
Jack has long had a passion for the red meat industry, spanning from his teenage years as a high school Agricultural Show Team Captain, through to the years following his schooling, where he completed a season in the Gulf of Carpentaria working as a station hand. Jack has since spent time working in farm casual and hand positions in various agricultural operations.
In 2019 he started a Bachelor of Rural Science degree at the University of New England, studying various units relating agriculture including meat science, animal production, animal structure & function, genetics, soil, agronomy, statistics, and agricultural economics. He is currently completing his honours thesis researching the effect of saleyards and the subsequent refeeding of cattle on the eating quality of beef.
He also represents UNE in the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association (ICMJ) and has been the recipient of a number of scholarships and awards including a Rabobank Tertiary Pathways Internship Scholarship and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
When asked about why he wished to attend the BeefEx conference, Jack said, “I believe attending BeefEx would assist me in pursuing a career in the feedlot industry when I finish university at the end of this year, through the opportunity to network with people from across the entire industry.”
“The event would allow me to learn from the experience of people within the lot feeding industry and make connections within numerous feedlotting companies, as well as meet other like-minded individuals keen to enter the Australian feedlot industry. I would also love to hear about the current research and problems facing the industry from industry leaders.”
Brooke Barnes, Beford, WA
Brooke had a passion for livestock production, which ultimately led her to a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Animal Science and Crop & Pasture) degree. Currently undertaking her degree at Murdoch University, through her studies Brooke has immersed herself in various sectors of the agricultural industry including in beef cattle, Merino sheep, alpacas, and standardbred’s. She was also selected to represent Murdoch University at the ICMJ Conference and Competition, and cites the exposure gained through competing in these competitions as a contribution to cementing her passion and future career ambitions within the red-meat industry, with a particular passion and interest in cattle production and processing.
“An opportunity to attend the BeefEx conference would provide an invaluable experience to gain in-depth knowledge surrounding the Australian feedlot and Angus industries,” said Brooke.
“I am seeking to obtain broader insights and knowledge regarding the Australian cattle supply chain; new research (and findings); and the adoption or utilisation of new technologies aiding in the development and determination of carcase quality in a sustainable manner.
“Participating in the presentations would further support my development and knowledge of the red-meat industry through practical case studies and scenarios. The BeefEx conference also provides the ability to network with industry leaders, and to also learn how these individuals themselves have navigated the Australian agricultural industry within a global market.”
