The Australian Beef Industry Foundation (ABIF) and Marcus Oldham College are inviting nominations for the ABIF-MOC HOWARD YELLAND AWARD 2025. The Award honours the contribution of Howard Yelland, who championed objective measurement and performance recording for improved selection in the Australian Beef Industry.
This 2025 Award seeks to recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry ‘above and beyond’ their normal role. Nominations are open to suitably qualified producers and non-producers, from any sector of the beef industry.
In 2023, Dr Mike Stephens, foundation director of Meridian Agriculture, was included in this 38-year list of those recognised for their contribution to our industry. In nominating Mike for the award, Jenny O’Sullivan, Malabar Farm, Tarwin Lower, Gippsland, said:
“Mike Stephens is well known for his work in rural areas across Australia. Mike is an outstanding individual who has made a significant contribution to Australian Agriculture and especially the beef industry and throughout his life has acted as a mentor and inspiration for many others. Mike is a man with a big vision for rural Australia who has empathy and respect for Australian farmers. He has understood the many problems facing farmers and “the bush” and puts them front and centre as issues to be addressed and challenges to be conquered.
We are now calling for nominations for the 2025 Award. A nomination form is below. For more information see the ABIF website: http://www.abif.com.au/awards. Please feel free to forward this information widely to people in your beef industry networks.
Selection criteria to be addressed should include:
- Extent of contribution to the Australian Beef Industry
- Recognition of this contribution both nationally and internationally
- Leadership role as a change agent
- Contribution above and beyond normal role in the industry
Please ensure that all nominations reach the College by the closing date 4th April 2025, submitted by email to Ebaney Espinoza espinoza@marcusoldham.vic.edu.au or post to Ebaney Espinoza, Marcus Oldham College, 145 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds VIC 3216.
An industry selection panel will review the nominations, and the Award will be presented at a formal dinner hopefully to be held during the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program in 2025 at Marcus Oldham College, Waurn Ponds.