Advancing Beef Leaders - ABL Foundation

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Advancing Beef Leaders - ABL Foundation It has positioned itself as a critical change agent, increasing the capacity of individuals to make meaningful business, beef industry and community impact.

The ABL Foundation was established in 2022 to support the Advancing Beef Leaders Program (est. 2020) - empowering and developing the capacity of Australia's future beef industry leaders. ADVANCING BEEF LEADERS
The ABL Foundation was established in 2022 to deliver the Advancing Beef Leaders Program - designed to build the capacity, confidence and connections of Australia's emerging beef leaders. The Advancing Beef Leaders (ABL) Program was launched in 2020 with the support from Queensland's Department of Primary Industries and several private sector collaborators. The Program is delivered predominantly online with a mix of learning modules, mentoring and group projects. Twice a year participants gather to accelerate their peer-to-peer learning opportunities. With a growing base of participants and alumni across Northern Australia, from 2027, the ABL Program is open to participants Australia-wide

ABL cohorts are a mix of beef producer, agribusiness, and service provider participants striving to step up and have impact and influence in their businesses, industry, and community. The development of a close-knit alumni is vital to the long-term success of the program. The ABL Foundation is focused on supporting all alumni on their leadership journey. "Undertaking the ABL program was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The program is unique in advancing and expanding leadership careers and positions, and is a standout amongst industry programs."
- Elisha Parker, ABL Pilot Program Participant


ABL FOUNDATION PARTNERS
The ABL Foundation is grateful for the support of:
- Meat & Livestock Australia
- Rabobank's Rabo Client Council.
- AgForce
- Fitzroy Basin Authority

Kristie is one of our talented alum, and part of a sensational line-up of speakers. The Young Beef Producers Forum is ju...
26/10/2026

Kristie is one of our talented alum, and part of a sensational line-up of speakers. The Young Beef Producers Forum is just around the corner - an educational, capacity-building and networking event packed with knowledgeable experts and leaders.

⭐️SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT⭐️

“Why Every Young Producer Needs to Know Biosecurity”

Kristie Lisle is a Central Queensland grazier, businesswoman and passionate advocate for agriculture and regional communities.

Together with her husband Matt and their two children, Kristie operates a cattle trading and backgrounding business across multiple Queensland properties, with their home property, Moonkan Park, located west of Rockhampton. Their business has grown significantly over recent years, trading cattle across regions and continually investing in infrastructure — including a full rebuild of water, fencing and yards — alongside stronger grazing systems and a more resilient operation overall.

Kristie brings a strong business background to agriculture, with more than 12 years’ experience across finance and bookkeeping and a Diploma in Agribusiness. She is a graduate of the Advancing Beef Leaders Program and has continued her involvement as a mentor and Finance Coordinator.

In 2026, Kristie was selected as a Queensland Biosecurity Ambassador, an opportunity that complements her growing interest in the practical biosecurity risks that come with changing land use, and in strengthening awareness across agriculture and the broader community.

Away from the business, Kristie is a rural mum, school bus operator and active member of her local community who believes some of agriculture’s best conversations happen when we are willing to share the lessons we’ve learnt along the way.

25/10/2026

🐾 Collie and Malt letting their Border Collie logic shine 🌟
🌪 And Rocco the Kelpie doing it his own way 🤣

Just a bit of fun at Mt McConnel Station where ABL Program Participant John Salmond was putting his working dogs and a mob of weaners through some gentle schooling.

"I had just put a small mob of weaners around the yards, taking the opportunity to do a bit of education for the weaners and the three older dogs. There are also two young pups that weren't quite in the frame that are just at the start of their working dog lives, so I was working them on the quietest of the weaners as well. Hopefully they'll grow up to be helpful working dogs one day!

"The pups are both Border Collies, so they should jump on the four-wheeler 'correctly' 😂" - John explained.

Such a funny glimpse into the serious business of developing good working dogs 👏 and the undeniable differences between these clever breeds.

🎦 From John Gordon Salmond - thanks so much for letting us share it! 🙂

Which ones on the list ring most true for you? And what would you add? Drop some suggestions in the comments and help gr...
22/10/2026

Which ones on the list ring most true for you? And what would you add? Drop some suggestions in the comments and help grow that collected wisdom 😊

A great list from the A Place To Call Home podcast's almost 100 conversations with people carving their unique place in agriculture.

🎧 Need something good to listen to? We've got you covered! 🐂We asked our 2026/27 ABL Program cohort and delivery team to...
20/10/2026

🎧 Need something good to listen to? We've got you covered! 🐂

We asked our 2026/27 ABL Program cohort and delivery team to share some of their favourite podcasts, and they've come up with a cracking list.

There's something for every mood and interest, including:

🐂 Cattle and the beef industry
🌾 Life in ag + better farming
💡 Leadership, business and professional development
❤️ Mental health and community
👩‍🌾 Rural women
🎲 A few wild cards to keep things interesting!

There are more than 30 recommendations to explore, covering everything from industry insights and practical business advice to personal stories, wellbeing and big ideas.

And there's a little ABL connection woven through the list, too. Some recommendations feature our alumni, their projects or members of the ABL community sharing their knowledge and experiences.

📲 Explore the full podcast round-up, with links to listen: https://taplink.cc/ablfoundation.co

A big thanks to our cohort and delivery team for sharing what they're tuning into. 🤝

💡Over to you: What's the one podcast you'd recommend to a fellow grazier, ag professional or emerging leader? Drop it in the comments.



A Place To Call Home Rabobank Australia Beef Central Australian Wagyu Association FutureBeef Australian Rural Leadership Foundation NSW Farmers NeXtgen Agri Ltd Farm Owners Academy Warren Davies - The Unbreakable Farmer National Rural Health Alliance Graziher Motherland

16/10/2026

🌟Time to recognise our seasoned 'backbone' and go-getting 'trailblazer' leaders and producers. Know someone whose hat should be in the ring?

⏳Nominations close Friday 30 October. The winner will be announced at AgForce’s AGM on November 19.
👉 https://okt.to/8DbcrH

AgForce Young Producers Council

ABL Program Participant Jack Blaine's unique 'Diggers to Stockmen' pilot program is turning heads, as the industry leade...
12/10/2026

ABL Program Participant Jack Blaine's unique 'Diggers to Stockmen' pilot program is turning heads, as the industry leader develops not just a vocational pathway for army veterans, but something that could be part of the solution to ag's labour shortages.

📰"One of the leading hands at Longton mentioned how he enjoyed the vets asking questions and admired their love of learning," Mr Blaine said.

"These guys are more mature in their work and their talk.

"They make a perfect fit for agriculture."

And he's done it all with nouse, extremely hard work and a little help from his ABL cohort peers. 👏

Diggers Cattle Co The Land Camm Agricultural Group

Could military veterans solve the bush labour shortage? Read more.

https://www.theland.com.au/story/9364726/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=post

📷 An ABL alum cover moment! 🐂👏How good is this?! 😍2025/26 ABL Program graduate James Pisaturo, his wife Aleisha and thei...
07/10/2026

📷 An ABL alum cover moment! 🐂👏
How good is this?! 😍

2025/26 ABL Program graduate James Pisaturo, his wife Aleisha and their gorgeous kids are gracing the latest cover of Feedback from Meat & Livestock Australia.

The feature takes us to their property, Inga Downs, at Dingo, where James and Aleisha are putting herd performance data and genomic testing to work, using the insights to support stockmanship, reproductive decisions and the ongoing performance of their herd.

It’s a great look at the practical ways producers are combining experience, data and technology to make better breeding decisions.

And what a beautiful family photo to go with it. ❤️
👏 Congratulations James and Aleisha!

📖 You can read the Spring 2026 edition online.

MLA
Aleisha Pisaturo

📷 ABL alum cover moment 😀James Pisaturo (graduate of the 2025/2026 ABL Program), his wife Aleisha and their gorgeous kid...
07/10/2026

📷 ABL alum cover moment 😀

James Pisaturo (graduate of the 2025/2026 ABL Program), his wife Aleisha and their gorgeous kids grace the latest cover of 'Feedback', showcasing the business they are building on 'Inga Downs', at Dingo in Queensland's Central Highlands Region.

It's a great read that digs into the details of the way they integrate herd performance data "to back good stockmanship and reproductive decision making".

James and Aleisha share the 'how' and 'why' of their use of genomic testing, and describe the beneficial insights and gains it delivers.

Read the article online: https://www.flipsnack.com/mlafeedback/meat-livestock-australia-feedback-magazine-spring-2026

James Pisaturo Meat & Livestock Australia

“I’m in such good spirits. You come home with so much inspiration. I think at the ABL it’s understood that it’s not just...
06/10/2026

“I’m in such good spirits. You come home with so much inspiration. I think at the ABL it’s understood that it’s not just about what you do on the tour, it’s about who you’re with: pastoralists and extension officers and agribusiness people – everyone is so varied – just sitting us down with time to talk about our operations is so valuable." - ABL Program participant Ellen Easy, Manager, Alcoota Station, NT.

🐂 What happens to a beast after it leaves the paddock? And where do our producers fit in to the bigger picture?

Our 2026/27 ABL cohort just spent a few big days finding out on our Supply Chain Tour: getting behind the scenes at JBS Australia’s Dinmore Plant, Kerwee Feedlot and Jim’s Jerky; diving into one of their own cohort member’s PhD research at UQ Gatton; and making time to connect with ABL alumni, mentors and supporters along the way.

From the scale of Dinmore to the details of genetics, animal comfort and meat quality at Kerwee, the innovation and value-adding at Jim’s Jerky, and Ella Watkins’ fascinating work with detection dogs 🐕 — there was plenty to take in.

But as always with the ABL Program, it’s not just about what happens on the tour. It’s about the conversations, connections and ideas that come home with you.

👉 Read the full wrap-up: https://www.ablfoundation.co/news/beefs-big-picture-abl-cohort-supply-chain-tour

A big thank you to JBS Australia, Kerwee Feedlot, Jim’s Jerky and UQ Gatton for opening their doors and sharing their knowledge with our cohort, and to Rabobank for supporting the Advancing Beef Leaders Program

JBSAussieBeef Stockyard Beef Jim's Jerky Rabobank Australia

Our latest cohort of emerging beef leaders have embraced the opportunity to build a greater understanding of the scale and systems involved in the Australian beef industry, and examine their own place in the supply chain. The Advancing Beef Leaders Program Supply Chain Tour brought the 2026/2027 co

04/10/2026

This is our favourite kind of alumni cross-over, with ABL grad Sam Fryer hosting current ABL Program participant, Jack Blaine, on his A Place To Call Home Podcast. Jack goes into his unlikely pathway from growing up on the Gold Coast to an ADF career, to finally making his cattle farming dreams a reality.

In the full ep, both generously reflect on what the Advancing Beef Leaders Program has given them. It’s an investment in their leadership that both are repaying many times over in their commitment to having a positive impact on the beef industry and agriculture more broadly.

Catch the full episode here: https://tinyurl.com/yn72c648

Diggers Cattle Co A Place To Call Home

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Darwin, NT

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