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September 23, 2021

Dairy Industry Fund Executive Officer A Rising Champion

SA Dairy Industry Fund Executive Officer Tom Cosentino has been named the SA winner of the 2021 Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) and NAB Agribusiness Rising Champions Initiative.

Now in its eleventh year, the Rising Champion Initiative is a joint program of the CCA and NAB Agribusiness to foster the leadership and business skills of emerging beef industry leaders.

It provides an unrivalled opportunity for beef industry participants aged between 21-40 to kick-start their personal career development and network with industry and government representatives.

Tom, 29, will now attend an all-expenses paid Leadership Development week in Canberra with the 2021 Rising Champions from other states throughout Australia.

Tom runs a small farm in Hindmarsh Valley with his wife, Aimee, producing Murray Grey cattle and works as the Industry Fund Executive Officer for both the SA Dairy Industry Fund and Livestock SA.

Having been born and raised in the city, but with a lifelong fascination for agriculture, Tom hopes to use the experience he gains through the Rising Champions Initiative to positively contribute to building the pipeline of talent in agriculture, and specifically the cattle sector.

“The agriculture industry is often impacted by labour shortages, but I see such growth potential in the talent pool of young people who would love to be involved if they knew more about the industry,” Tom said.

“I grew up in the city, and knew nothing about farming, and I think there are many others out there with talent to offer, but no corresponding pathway to crack into the industry.

“I hope to be able to help share and communicate the great things about the Australian beef industry, with a view to boosting the number of new entrants willing to contribute their time and skills for the overall benefit of the sector.”

SADA Chief Executive Officer Andrew Curtis said Tom had been invaluable to the team since coming onboard in December 2019.

"Tom is an incredibly talented agribusiness professional with a true passion for primary industries," he said.

"SADA is very proud to have someone of Tom's calibre within its ranks."