The 2019 Sheep Industry Ambassador Awards have been announced with Leith Tilley, Greenwith Farms, South Australia, and Stephanie Muir, Agriculture Victoria Research, Victoria, the successful recipients.
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The award has been running since 2014, with the aim to foster up-and-coming leaders in the sheep industry.
Leith is responsible for the livestock aspect of his family’s 3000-hectare mixed farming business in SA’s mid-north. He has an extensive background in all areas of the supply chain, including international roles with MLA, Thomas Foods International and Ranges Valley.
SPA believes Leith will be a strong contributor to the sheep industry by bringing a supply chain focus to promote and grow sustained demand for Australian products.
Stephanie is a lamb production scientist at Hamilton, Victoria, involved with programs measuring the feed efficiency phenotype of sheep and the effects of forage types on sheep methane emissions. SPA looks forward to Stephanie’s contribution to international discussions in these areas to deliver quality research outcomes to benefit sheep producers and the sheep industry.
Leith and Stephanie will attend a study tour of New Zealand. Ambassadors from NZ and the US will share ideas, network and broaden their understanding of sheep farming practices and the importance of trade in agriculture in all three countries.
SPA and Meat & Livestock Australia are proud to offer this opportunity to build leadership capability for the sheep industry.
The quality of applicants for the 2019 awards was outstanding and the selection panel are reviewing how SPA can involve more of the applicants in other ways this year. Altogether, 90 per cent of the applicants easily met the criteria and there were vigorous discussions about the top five.
Activity is also ramping up in the Leadersheep Network through Leadersheep online. SPA has launched another series of online modules called Communicate What Matters. It is presented by Charlie Arnot, a global leader on using trust and values to connect with people, who has some useful tips for talking to consumers unfamiliar with agriculture.
Find out more and watch the video at sheepproducers.com.au/ambassador
Access the Communicate What Matters online learning modules at sheepproducers.com.au/communicate-what-matters/
- Melissa Neal is a SPA industry leadership manager.
