Pyengana Premium Meats junior partner an industry champion finalist
September 15, 2017Courtesy Tasmanian Country
A JUNIOR partner in a beef and prime-lamb family enterprise in the North-East is the state finalist in a national beef champion award.
Darcy Nicklason, 24, is the Cattle Council of Australia’s state finalist for the Rising Beef Industry Champion award run by NAB Agribusiness.
Mr Nicklason is a fifth-generation farmer who works with his parents Ged and Tara and two brothers in all aspects of breeding, finishing and processing the livestock for their Pyengana Premium Meats brand.
He also liaises with local butchers to market the family’s premium grass-fed beef and lamb.
Starting out as a jackaroo on a large beef, sheep and broadacre cropping enterprise, Mr Nicklason moved to working on a large seedstock operation and in the sugar industry before returning to the family operation four years ago.
“Being a finalist is great. I am passionate about the beef industry and farming,” Mr Nicklason said.
“I hope to gain a lot confidence from the program and help with public speaking to help me have an impact in the industry.”
Pyengana has a rich dairy history, but in 2002 the family stopped milking and moved into beef with Angus and Murray Grey cattle. They added lamb to their 485ha operation in 2011.
About half the Nicklasons’ livestock are sold through Pyengana Premium Meats in local stores, with the remainder sold to Greenham’s at Smithton.
CCA acting chief executive Margo Andrae said the program aimed to inspire those aged 21 to 35 who are passionate about the beef industry.
“It is vitally important that the cattle producers and industry leaders of tomorrow have the opportunity to provide input into the direction of their industry today,” she said.
“We are pleased to be giving young people who are passionate about the Australian beef industry exposure to industry leaders and the chance to develop leadership skills to take them to the next level.”
Mr Nicklason and other state finalists attend a three-day program in Canberra this week.
The trip includes networking with staff from the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, learning effective communication techniques, developing their leadership skills and participating in CCA committee meetings.
The winner will be announced on November 20 in Alice Springs.
