For a year now, I have been sharing the concept of the strength of loose threads - the people beyond our immediate circles who connect us to different ideas, opportunities and perspectives. Of course, an excellent way to get a large dose of that is attending a conference!

Attending my first Australian Women in Agriculture (AWiA) Conference in July this year, another layer to the loose-thread concept became ever more apparent; ideas take on so much more power when they travel beyond our familiar circles and encounter perspectives that challenge our unconscious biases.

A flurry of launch events across the country this month, hosted by the Beef Australia Board and team, officially sounded the horn - Beef2027 is now less than 12 months away. It also signals the bringing together of a new fresh faced Beef Connections cohort! The excitement is building…

We work with businesses to turn strong ideas into clear, credible market presence. So when Leading Livestock Nutrition approached us to support the launch of their new consultancy, it was an opportunity to build something from the ground up - in a sector we know well, and one we hold in high regard.

Last year, I had the privilege of speaking with students across Sydney who are just beginning to imagine what their future careers might look like. The timing of these school visits has aligned perfectly with a broader national energy around agricultural education sparked, in part, by a powerful speech delivered by Australian Country Choice CEO Anthony Lee at the Rural Press Club.

We’re particularly excited about this project as it gives Founder, Madie Hamilton, a chance to return to her roots - growing up on a sheep property outside Mudgee NSW. We’re ready to get stuck in and support the framework Steering Group and Board as they make progress against the Sheep Sustainability Framework (SSF) Strategic Plan. Read on to find out more about the SSF and AgCentric’s work with the group.

I’ve spent over 15 years working with teams across rural and agribusiness industries, and one thing has always fascinated me: how people work together - or don’t! Why do some teams just click, while others struggle with miscommunication, misunderstandings, or friction?

In agriculture, we’re good at leaning on our strong ties - the people we trust, we work with, and turn to. But our loose threads are what keep us fresh, adaptive and connected beyond our own backyard. They’re the bridges between sectors, between science and practice, between ideas and implementation. You can never have too many bridges!

In just twelve months since launching the ALFA Future Feeders Network has grown into a movement - connecting, developing and inspiring the next generation of grain fed beef supply chain professionals. Their inaugural Forum in Toowoomba showcased the strength of collaboration, capability and culture in action.