2023 Future Grass Growers Forum

Clint and Shelly’s story is one of determination, working with family, innovation, and building for the future. The Hawkins family made the move from Central Queensland to North West Queensland in 1999, with the purchase and development of Herbertvale before purchasing a second property south of Hughenden to run in conjunction. 

Since then, the Hawkins Family have continued to grow and diversify, building additional businesses in helicopter services, earthmoving, and hiking, as well as establishing partnerships that have helped strengthen and expand their operations.  

At the Future Grass Growers Forum, Clint and Shelly shared their insights into business growth, family partnerships, and creating opportunities in agriculture.

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Hosted by Sam Fryer from A Place to Call Home, the "Finance Without the Fluff" panel featured:

• Tom McLeish – A producer and business owner who, with his wife Belinda, has built successful ag businesses and now operates properties in Queensland. Tom knows first-hand the strategies it takes to make opportunities in ag a reality.  

• Clint & Shelly Hawkins – Western Queensland producers who’ve combined family, business, and resilience to create a strong future in the beef industry. 

• Dan Korff (Rabobank) – Manager at Longreach Rabobank. He is an agribusiness banker with local knowledge and a passion for rural communities. 

• Prue Button – With over 20 years’ experience supporting producers and small businesses through business and financial advice.

There’s no single path into agriculture and this panel proves it!  Hosted by Tom Boyle, the session brought together three incredible voices who’ve each taken different journeys into ag:  

• Sarah Hain, who has worked across Australia and internationally before returning to her family’s Merino, cattle, and goat operation near Longreach.  

• Tom Copley, a seedstock producer and lawyer balancing careers in ag and law, with a passion for the beef industry’s future.  

• Winnie Batt, who alongside her husband Ian, run a contract fencing business and their cattle property near Muttaburra.  

Together, they share the lessons they’ve learned, the challenges they’ve faced, and the opportunities that come from choosing a life in agriculture, no matter the road that leads you there.

Brad Whittington from the Queensland Rural Investment and Development Authority (QRIDA) presented in the 'Dollars & Decisions' session at the Future Grass Growers Forum.   

Brad’s session gave practical and inspiring advice to those looking to take their first steps or next steps in the ag industry. 

His practical shared insights into how QRIDA supports young producers, from accessing loans that help get a start in agriculture, to strengthening applications so they have the best chance of success. He also explored how finance can be used strategically and shared real examples of how young producers have successfully used QRIDA to grow their businesses.

Désirée Jackson is a well-known livestock management consultant with more than 20 years’ experience working across Queensland, the NT, and northern WA. After starting her career with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, she went on to run her own consultancy business and was a cattle producer in western Queensland for over two decades.  

Désirée is passionate about nutrition, pasture quality, and breeder herd management, delivering the highly regarded Nutrition EDGE and Breeding EDGE workshops across northern Australia. Her focus is on turning research into practical, actionable solutions that lift herd productivity on the ground.  

She is especially passionate about working with young people in ag, helping them understand the key role they play in improving productivity and shaping the industry’s future.  

At the Future Grass Growers Forum, Désirée shared her insights into how pastures, diet, and nutrition impact animal performance, and why this knowledge is critical for the next generation of producers.

Will Creek is the General Manager at Lillyvale Feedlot and with years of experience across both Australian and international beef supply chains, he has a wealth of knowledge about genetics and livestock production.  

At the Forum, Will shared practical insights into reading and interpreting EBVs, starting your genetics journey, and cost-effective ways for new producers to improve herd genetics.   

His session gave young producers the confidence and tools to make better breeding decisions and set their herds up for long-term success. 

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There is more than one way into agriculture, and Mia Amos-Rush is proof of that.   

Starting off studying criminal law and now with AAM Investment Group, Mia shared her journey into the industry and how the AAM Investment Program is opening doors for the next generation of ag leaders.  

Her session explored how corporate ag experience can set you up with the knowledge and confidence, the importance of networking and making the most of placements and internships, and how programs like AAM’s can provide a strong stepping stone into the industry.  

Mia’s story shows that building a career in ag doesn’t have to follow a traditional path, and that there are exciting opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and create their own future in the industry.

Tom McLeish arrived in Longreach in 2004 with a mobile phone and a goal. Through sheer hard work, determination and a lot of strategy, Tom has a story to share!  

Together with his wife Belinda, they’ve grown two successful businesses – TopX and Western Livestock Nutrition, while chasing their dream of owning some dirt. Today, they own and operate properties north of Winton and near Moonie.  

At the Future Grass Growers Forum, Tom shared his journey, the lessons he’s learned, and what it really takes to turn vision into reality in the ag industry.

When it comes to making smart financial decisions in agriculture, knowledge is power. Brecken shared practical insights on some of the biggest financial questions facing young and early-career producers, including: 

• Fundamentals of borrowing 

• Alternative financing options 

• Using equity 

• Working with advisors 

• A practical checklist before applying for finance  

Brecken has over 20 years of rural banking experience, and broke down the complexities of finance into clear, actionable steps that every producer can understand and apply.

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There is more than one way into agriculture, and Mia Amos-Rush is proof of that. Starting off studying criminal law and now with AAM Investment Group, Mia shared her journey into the industry and how the AAM Investment Program is opening doors for the next generation of ag leaders.  

Her session explored how corporate ag experience can set you up with the knowledge and confidence, the importance of networking and making the most of placements and internships, and how programs like AAM’s can provide a strong stepping stone into the industry.  Mia’s story shows that building a career in ag doesn’t have to follow a traditional path, and that there are exciting opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and create their own future in the industry.