BEEF ELEVATIOn 2025

Ben Wieland is currently the Livestock Manager for Hewitt Foods, the largest integrated supply chain of certified Organic meat. Since graduating with a degree in Agricultural production from The University of New England, Ben has gained 6 years’ experience across grain-fed beef, multispecies & organic procurement & processing. Known for his practical, solutions-focused approach, Ben has worked across the full supply chain, combining procurement experience with strategic commercial insights. Outside of work, Ben runs a small stud and regularly shows cattle, bringing a hands-on passion for the industry that informs his professional perspective.  

Caitlyn is the Livestock Supply Chain Manager for the JBS Northern division, encompassing Dinmore, Rockhampton and Townsville processing facilities and the five JBS feedlots, spanning from the Riverina to the Darling Downs with over 160,000hd on feed at any one time. With prior experience in lotfeeding, cattle procurement and logistics with Mort & Co, and in seedstock operations with Palgrove, Caitlyn’s current role in the JBS Northern Livestock team is spilt between developing on-farm management practices with producers, data analytics, feedlot performance and benchmarking, as well as achieving compliance in branded beef programs, research trials and sustainability initiatives.

David has been with MLA for almost eight years, previously managing the Producer Adoption program, and now the Meat Standards Australia Program Manager (4 years). Prior to MLA, David spent 11 years in the livestock animal health sector in both R&D and commercial roles. David holds a Bachelor of Rural Science and a PhD in meat science. 

David has worked hands-on, across the livestock and cropping sectors, and is the managing partner of a breeding and backgrounding operation in the New England region of NSW. David's experience allows him to have scope and understanding from research through to on-farm and supply chain implementation.

Christian's career and education reflect his strong commitment to the field of livestock genetic evaluation. He began his journey at ABRI, where he worked for 14 years (2001–2014) across various roles, including in BREEDPLAN, extension services, and management. This included providing the Brangus Association extension and technical support through the TBTS project.  From 2014 to 2025, Christian served at Angus Australia, focusing on strategic projects, research and development, and genetic evaluation. In 2025, he returned to ABRI as Chief of Operations, where, alongside an engaged management team, he now oversees the delivery of BREEDPLAN, BreedREGISTRY, BreedSEC, and DairyEXPRESS. Christian has recently been awarded a PhD from UNE in livestock quantitative genetics, with a focus on improving genetics for beef eating quality and nutritional traits.